Women entrepreneurs are major contributors of economic growth and job creation. In 2019, women entrepreneurs contributed $23.1 billion to the Saskatchewan economy and created 191,836 jobs. Yet, research indicates women entrepreneurs encounter unique barriers that hinder full participation in growing the wealth of our province. The final report presented today to the Government of Saskatchewan’s Status of Women Office by...
Gail McDougall First Female Board Chair President 1984
Gail, an active member and volunteer for 40 years and she served in her early 30’s at a time when women on Boards was not “common” much less in a maledominated environment. Under the mentorship of Peter Whitenect (past CEO) she wanted to be a voice for Volunteers (as she has a passion for volunteerism) and advocate for more women...
Crystal I. Fafard – Queen of Green Indigenous corporate lawyer is passionate about the planet
Crystal Fafard has always been passionate about causes related to social justice and can’t think of a more important topic than saving the planet for future generations. Crystal grew up in Melfort, Saskatchewan, a farming community about 90 minutes east of Saskatoon with four siblings. She obtained her B.A. (Hons.) at the University of Saskatchewan and J.D. at the University...
Dr. Andrea Kraj helps launch new Energy Security program at Usask
Dr. Andrea Kraj brings a clear-eyed intensity and forward-thinking lens to everything she does—and her to-do list is a long one. As an entrepreneur, professional engineer, assistant professor, and mother, Kraj is on friendly terms with hard work and long days. “It’s about finding the flow in your day and accepting that you need to take breaks to unplug and...
Don’t sweat having vegans for BBQ
Dear Reena, I am hosting a company BBQ in a few weeks. I found out that some of the people I invited are vegan, I have no idea what to serve them, as I was going to cook hamburgers and hotdogs. Should I cancel the BBQ? — Susan Dear Susan, I invite everyone to share their favourite vegan recipes, email...
Aquatic playgrounds making a splash
There is a new attraction at Blackstrap Provincial Park this summer that is taking some beach-goers away from their sand castles — at least temporarily — and into the water. People ages five and up can now slide, swing, splash, bounce and jump on inflatable play structures. The one at Blackstrap — there are others at Danielson Park and at...
Tips for businesses should COVID strike
I’m using this column space for this, because there is just no way to predict if the Saskatchewan Health Region will name your business if it has had a run-in with COVID, whether through an employee testing positive or a customer later receiving a positive diagnosis. The result is thousands of business owners, particularly small business owners suffering incredible anxiety...
Race for mayor could be one for the ages
It has the makings of a down-and-dirty mayoral race in Saskatoon. Mayor Charlie Clark officially entered the fray on July 29. Rob Norris, the No. 1 challenger thus far, put his name out there earlier in the month. Norris, a former member of Brad Wall’s provincial government, has been posting a selfie a day on Twitter. With him are smiling...
My hair and I have never gotten along
Let’s just get over Justin’s hair. Yes, it’s amazing but I really need to obsess about my own hair. Obviously, there’s going to be very little obsessing about husband Frank’s hair when he never experiences imminent need to visit a barber. Right now, I tell him he should be grateful for the gene pool that rendered him as follicle challenged....
And with the first pick, the Penguins select . . .
The system the NHL used for its draft lottery sucked. And I am not saying that just because I am a poor-sport Detroit Red Wings fan, although it plays a factor. In a year with 24 teams in the playoffs, why wouldn’t the bottom seven get picks one to seven in the draft. Have a draw among these teams for...