Staff & Board

Vacant

Chairperson

Donna Woloshyn is delighted to join the Saskatchewan Book Awards board of directors. This marks an exciting new challenge for Donna after having recently completed her term as president of the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. Born and educated in the province, Donna has degrees from the University of Saskatchewan (B.A. and  B. Ed.) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Vocational Technical Education from the University of Regina.  Donna’s early career as a teacher and adult educator in northern Saskatchewan, the NWT and Nunavut laid the foundation for her love of the North and working together with Indigenous communities. In 1984 she moved to Regina where she has been working with the provincial government for over 30 years as a program manager and policy analyst primarily responsible for family and community literacy programming. Having worked on a variety of pan-Canadian literacy initiatives that have taken her to nearly every province and territory, Donna brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.  Donna has also served on several national boards (e.g., Canadian Association of Adult Education, TESL Canada and the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks) and chaired provincial and national conferences. Donna has one daughter who is a journalist with CBC News.

Board Member/Sask Writers' Guild Representative

Jack is an artist, producer, consultant and community volunteer who for many decades has combined his work in culture and the arts with that of being an advocate for their development and sustainability.

His art practice includes design and creation in music and film. He continues to perform his original music, to make independent films and write.

He has served as a Director on local, provincial and national Boards in the non-profit sector with a focus on board development, strategic planning and policy governance. These include volunteer leadership roles in the arts, culture, heritage, health and tourism sectors.

Jack lives in Saskatoon and is currently the Past President of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild, Chair of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild Foundation and Chair of Hope Cancer Help Centre.

Treasurer & SaskBooks Representative

Emily Dmyterko is the current representative for SaskBooks, one of the founding members of the Saskatchewan Book Awards. She is also the current Treasurer of the Saskatchewan Book Awards. Emily is the Communications Officer for SaskBooks, having started as an Intern in 2019. She graduated from the University of Regina with a degree in Linguistics, focusing on Indigenous languages, and dabbled in poetry seminars on the side. In the past, she has worked at Chapters/Indigo and the Saskatchewan Book Awards. She’s also volunteered for the Canadian Linguistics Association, tutored undergrad Linguistics students, and run creative writing workshops. Emily lives in Regina.

Secretary

Member at Large

A lifelong reader and book lover, Greg Deren is enthusiastic about supporting the literary enterprise in Saskatchewan. He holds an MBA from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Industrial Relations. Greg has had a long career in labour relations, having represented both employees and employers. Currently, he is a Senior Policy Advisor in the Saskatchewan Ministry of Finance, doing work relative to collective bargaining. For several years Greg also taught ballroom dance, and his volunteer work includes having recently served on the board of the Art Gallery of Regina.

Member at Large

Rochelle Smith is pleased to join the Saskatchewan Book Awards board of directors. Rochelle was born and raised in Saskatchewan. She has degrees from the University of Regina (BA English), University of Western Ontario (Master of Library Science), Queen’s University (Master of Urban and Regional Planning), and the University of Saskatchewan, Centre for the Study of Co-operatives (PhD). A long term employee of the Government of Saskatchewan, Rochelle devoted 39 years to public service, with time off for good behaviour to pursue her education and lifelong learning goals. Most of her time with the province was spent as a Senior Policy Analyst in regional economic, co-operative and community economic policy and program development. Rochelle was instrumental in developing the policy basis for Regional Economic Development Authorities and Enterprise Regions, as well as Neighbourhood Development Corporations. She has served on the board of directors of the Saskatoon Community Clinic and currently is on the board of the Balfour Condominium Corporation. Rochelle is now enjoying retirement, renovating her condo and singing with the U of R Concert Choir.

Member at Large

Saskatchewan Library Association Representative