Board of Directors

Brittany Walter is Chartered Professional Accountant and business professional with KPMG since 2006. She works with clients in the public and not-for-profit sectors on financial reporting matters, internal controls and risk management. Brittany is committed to her community and has been involved in a number of organizations including YWCA Saskatoon, READ Saskatoon Finance Committee, and the Princess Shop.

Roona Sinha

Roona Sinha joined the Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan Board of Directors in 2014.  She is a pediatric hematologist oncologist based in Saskatoon.  She is passionate about her work caring for children with blood disorders and cancers. 

As a part of her daily life she sees first-hand the tremendous difference that Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan makes in the lives of patients and their families. 

Murray Sawatzky

Murray Sawatzky is currently a partner at the law firm of McDougall Gauley LLP in Regina. He has practiced law for 33 years in the areas of commercial litigation and arbitration. His prior community service includes Regina Palliative Care Inc., Regina Beach Yacht Club and Canadian Bar Association Saskatchewan Branch. Having had colleagues who have benefited from Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon, Murray looks forward to contributing to the important work that it does for families in Saskatchewan.

Craig Ayers

Craig Ayers joined the RMHC Board in 2020. He has worked in the area of health care facilities planning for his entire career and is currently a Director with Saskatchewan Health Authority contributing to the planning and delivery of health care projects across the province. Craig was privileged to be involved in the planning of the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital and through that experience he learned of the important role and support that RMHC provides to families and children from across the province.

Craig is the second generation of his family to be born, raised and living in Saskatoon. He is passionate about working with teams, staff and community partners in the planning and realization of initiatives that improve the services provided to our communities and province. He looks forward to contributing to the many important RMHC initiatives that benefit families in our communities.

Kaytlyn Barber

Kaytlyn is a Partner at KPMG LLP, focusing on providing Advisory Services to organizations across the country. She is a member of the firm’s Infrastructure Advisory team, focusing on capital projects and related strategic, financial and economic considerations.

Kaytlyn also serves as a Board Member of the Regina Food Bank. Previous Board and volunteer experience includes with the University of Regina Alumni Association, Canadian Red Cross – Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs. Kaytlyn and her husband, James, have two young children.

Trent Norman

Trent Norman joined the RMHC board in May of 2022 bringing with him over 25 years’ experience and expertise in financial, business & project management.

Trent attained his Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of Saskatchewan in 1997. Over the next 16 years, he and his partners built and managed a successful wealth management practice through to the sale of their firm to National Bank Financial.

This was a wonderful inflection point that allowed Trent to take a step back, stick his head up, and look around to see what else the world may have to offer. This led to his decision to pursue a “real life MBA” by taking on a variety of targeted roles in which he could apply his skills and knowledge, while becoming educated about a variety of sectors, industries & companies.

Having been born and raised in Saskatoon, with his family proudly calling this city “home”, Trent looks forward to giving back to the community in service to the RMHC board.

As a self-declared “car guy”, when not driving his car or watching F1 racing, he can be found on his road bike putting in miles on the blacktop, or surfing behind the boat with his family at the lake.

Luke Jackiw

Luke has been working in health care in Saskatchewan for over 15 years, the most recent five as the Director of Hospital and Specialized Services with the Ministry of Health. In addition to a Masters in Psychology, he has received his Lean Leaders Certification, completed a Fellowship in Health System Improvement through the University of Alberta, and has achieved a Certified Healthcare Executive designation through The Canadian College of Health Leaders. He, along with his wife and two young children enjoy spending time at the lake with the family.

“My experiences in health have helped me understand the intricacies and complexities of navigating the health care system, which has fostered a deep appreciation for all of the support and help that organizations like Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan provide for families at a pivotal time in their lives”

Carrie Dornstauder

Having received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan, Carrie has worked as an obstetrical, emergency and integrated care Registered Nurse. She later transitioned into clinical nurse education as lead of the first rural program in Saskatchewan.

Carrie has provided extensive leadership as a Care Team Manager, the Director of Acute Care Services for the former Heartland Health Region and currently as the Executive Director for Maternal and Children’s Provincial Programs with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Carrie is committed to improving the health status and standards of care for maternal and pediatric patients in Saskatchewan with a focus on supporting services as close to home as safely possible.

In 2019 Carrie had the unique opportunity to share leadership accountabilities in the monumental opening of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, Saskatchewan’s first hospital dedicated to providing the best of care to the families and children of Saskatchewan. Carrie’s passion for maternal and child excellence and advocacy for families has allowed her the opportunity to serve at the national level as a board member with Children’s Healthcare Canada, taking a seat on the finance committee in 2019.

Sean Willy

After a 25-year career in the resource industry with an extensive history in executive leadership, community development, corporate responsibility and human resources, Sean Willy was appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of Des Nedhe Group in August 2017. With roots in the Denesuline and Metis communities, Sean, a member of the North Slave Metis Alliance, brings an understanding of the expectations and needs of Indigenous people. In his career Sean has developed and implemented some of the most innovative Indigenous Inclusion and value added CSR strategies for companies such as Rio Tinto and Cameco Corporation. He has always strived to ensure Indigenous peoples are seen as a full partner in long-term relationships.

Sean is a board member for TELUS Corporation, Green First Forest Products and the Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan. He also currently sits as a member of the Canadian government’s Indigenous Innovation Housing Committee. Sean has served as past co-chair of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

Sean has two children and lives with his wife Melissa in Saskatoon.

Colin Olfert

Colin Olfert is the General Manager with Westridge Construction Ltd. in Regina. Westridge constructs commercial and civil infrastructure projects all across Saskatchewan and has since their inception in 1989. Colin has been the General Manager at Westridge since early 2018 and has been in the construction industry in Saskatchewan since 2007. Colin and his wife Carling have called Regina home since 2007 and have two children.

Colin’s previous board and volunteer experience includes the Regina Construction Association, the Saskatchewan Construction Association, the General Contractors Association of Saskatchewan, as well as the Saskatchewan Construction Association Advisory Council.

Jenelle Cooney

Jenelle Cooney is a CPHR Candidate and the Human Resources Manager for Buckberger Baerg & Partners LLP – Chartered Professional Accountants. Jenelle is a certified leadership coach and values the opportunity to foster the success of others to maximize individual and team potential. Jenelle is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon. She has had close family friends that have benefited from the support and services the house has provided. Jenelle returned to Saskatoon in 2019 with her daughter and husband.

Brenda Nowakowski

Brenda Nowakowski is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 30 years of industry experience. She has served on a number of boards in the not-for-profit sector both at a provincial and national level. She currently is a board member for SaskEnergy and is Treasurer and Administrative Chair for Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. After a 20-year career as CFO of JNE Welding Limited Partnership, Brenda stepped back from the day-to-day operations while retaining a partnership interest in the company. 

Brenda is a passionate supporter of small business in Saskatchewan and volunteers her time as an entrepreneurial mentor. She is also deeply committed to serving Saskatchewan communities in the areas of education and health.

Vanessa Chesters

Vanessa Chesters joined the RMHC board in May 2023, with her experience as a human resources professional and providing coaching to support others. Vanessa has worked in various sectors and has a Bachelor of Administration, CCP and GRP designations. She has been fortunate to lead and manage the Total Rewards program for Federated Co-operatives Limited for almost 8 years. Vanessa is passionate about people and giving back to the community and believes each person can make a difference. She says, “One action can create a reaction that has ripple effects.”

Family is very important to Vanessa, she has been with her husband for 27 years and has two sons, and three sponsored children and is blessed to have the extended family she has. Vanessa looks forward to contributing and making a difference on the RMHC board.