Elmwood Team

Rachael holds an M.A. in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations Mandated University for Peace and a B.A. in Political Studies and Drama from the University of Alberta. She has spent her career in the human service sector focusing on the development of supports and services in a variety of areas including early childhood, disability supports, intersectoral initiatives, community mobilization and advocacy. She has served as Manager of Community Services with the Ministry of Social Services, as Program Manager of KidsFirst North, as the Coordinator of the Northern Human Services Partnership and as an Advocate with Inclusion Saskatchewan.

Rachael is an accredited trainer through Helen Sanderson Associates and is currently pursuing her diploma in Global Leadership from the UPEACE Centre for Executive Education. Rachael is a passionate connector, collaborator, advocate, and big-picture thinker. She is driven to facilitate positive, meaningful, and long-lasting change through her strength and relationship-based approach!

Rachael is a proud mother of twins , Bash and Gaia and two fur-babies, Luna and Cooper. She is married to her partner of over 15 years, Mably, who is the love of her life.

Born and raised in Saskatoon, Dani obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2009 and obtained her Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 2011. Dani began her career working in public practice before settling into the world of non-profit. Dani quickly realized she found working in the human services field much more fulfilling and now gets excited to brag about her job!

Dani believes there is much more to her position than just balancing the budget! She lends a hand in all aspects of the organization, being innovative and forming meaningful relationships within the community and within Elmwood that will genuinely help improve the lives of those living with intellectual disabilities.

Dani enjoys playing and watching sports, anything involving her daughter Piper, their big Newfoundland dog Fenway, and travelling as much as possible.

Rejeanne graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina in 2012. Focusing on the Disability Sector in her practicums, she spent time at COSMO and SARBI (Saskatchewan Association for the Rehabilitation for Brain Injuries). She joined the Justice Department with the John Howard Society shortly after completing her degree. Moving through various roles, she concluded her time with the John Howard Society as a Director of Judicial Programs. Rejeanne also served on the board for the Restorative Justice Society of Saskatchewan.

More recently, Rejeanne was working with Community Living Service Delivery (CLSD) as a Community Services Worker. During her seven years with CLSD, she was able to complete Temporary Assignments of Higher Duty in the Supervisor and Coordinator of Community Services roles. Navigating systems and overcoming barriers has become a passion of hers, and Rejeanne is a strong support and advocate for those who experience intellectual disabilities. Moving back into community has been a goal of Rejeanne’s and she is so excited to join the Elmwood team as the Director of Resident Supports.

Rejeanne has two children, Oliver and Quinn, and has been married to her partner Jeff for 10 years. She enjoys reading, spending time at the lake and planning her next trip!

Linda is a born and raised Saskatoon girl whose journey began at Elmwood in 1994, the year after completing her BA in Sociology at the U of S. Throughout her university career, this is where Linda discovered great personal satisfaction and experience as a volunteer with the Elizabeth Fry Society working with people experiencing disabilities. Linda’s journey at Elmwood has found her in a variety of progressively senior roles.

Linda is an accredited trainer through Helen Sanderson Associates and is currently the Manor Transition Project Specialist. Throughout Linda’s career, she has been proud to be part of the Elmwood family. Throughout her journey, she has experienced significant organization change and evolution as the Elmwood family grew and flourished. In her role as Manor Transition Project Specialist, Linda leads the Transition Initiative and supports the evolution of supports and services provided by Elmwood, now and into the future.

Linda is married to her husband of over 25 years, Dean, who has been great support throughout her long and rewarding career at Elmwood. Linda loves spending time at the lake, travelling, and seeing family and friends.

Meet Yasmin, the spirited Saskatoon native who stepped into the role of Executive Assistant at Elmwood in 2023, bringing a dash of enthusiasm to the team. With a diverse background, from ministry to aviation to retail, Yasmin has been the go-to person, always championing, supporting, assisting others in reaching their utmost potential and becoming their most authentic and effective selves.

Yasmin is excited and honoured to be a part of the Elmwood team, enthusiastically embracing their mission to offer personalized care and support that fosters growth, well-being, and a sense of belonging for individuals living with intellectual disabilities. She looks forward to contributing to this meaningful mission.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Yasmin is on a mission to make the world more inclusive and accessible by listening and loving. As a mother of two girls and two boys, and with her love-of-her-life Dustin by her side, Yasmin thrives on the bustling energy of family life. When not in the office, catch her globe-trotting, exploring new experiences, diving into books, contributing to her community, and embracing the challenges of CrossFit and running. Yasmin wants to be a powerhouse at work and a joy-seeker in life!

Rhonda started her career working with elderly individuals with dementia. She then applied for a casual position at Elmwood in the winter of 2017 and absolutely fell in love with the disability services field.

Seeing the smiling faces and hearing the excitement from all the residents each day has brought more joy to her than any words could describe. She is committed and works hard to ensure that the residents always come first.

Karen has worked with individuals with disabilities for 18 years. Karen spent most of her summers working at Camp Easter Seal while she was attending post-secondary education. It is through her work at Camp Easter Seal that Karen found her passion to work with individuals with disabilities and is the reason Karen changed career paths and applied to nursing. She started working at Elmwood in 2011, shortly after finishing nursing. Karen worked as a Manor Coordinator/Nurse for almost 11 years and has recently transitioned into the Manager of Health and Wellness role. Karen is incredibly excited to take on this new role and be a part of the Manor Transition.

Karen has a love and passion for travel and is always looking to book her next adventure. Some of Karen’s highlights from her travels are living and working in Australia for 6 months in 2018, scuba diving with sharks in Mexico, St. Paddy’s Day in Galway Bay, watching David Beckham play for Manchester United in London, attending many Broadway plays including Les Misérables and Lion King, and visiting Disneyland with four residents.

Jannah has been a Recreation Coordinator since 2000.  After achieving her diploma at SIAST in Recreation and Leisure in 1998, she began her career with the Prince Albert Health District. After three years in Prince Albert, the opportunity to be a part of Elmwood Residences presented itself and Jannah has never looked back!

Jannah has built and developed a robust recreation program that benefits and serves everyone who calls Elmwood home.  She is proud of the relationships that she has developed with community partners, staff and most important every amazing person that lives at Kinsmen Manor.  Trips to Graceland, Montreal, Ogema, and Disneyland have been just a handful of amazing dreams that Jannah has helped make come true. Jannah is the past co-chair of the OH&S board and she currently sits on the Special Olympics Saskatoon board as the Elmwood representative.

Jannah, her husband and their dog love camping.  Packing up and heading to northern Saskatchewan to go fishing is the highlight of their summer.  This past June, Jannah caught a 26 pound Northern Pike, which currently is the family record!

Signe started supporting people living with disabilities in 2009. She obtained her Continuing Care Assistant diploma from SIAST (now Saskatchewan Polytechnic) in 2009, and later moved on to graduating with a Bachelor’ degree in Psychology from the U of S in 2015.

After working for a few community based organizations as a front line support worker, she moved on to the Ministry of Social Services: Community Living Service Delivery, where she gained experience in the crisis and programmatic field by supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities displaying challenging behaviours.

Additionally, Signe has worked as a case worker for the Ministry of Social Services, Income Assistance: Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program, where she gained insight into the types of financial support and challenges faced by some of Saskatchewan’s most vulnerable population.

Most recently, Signe completed the 2020 Online Longitudinal Training on Assessment and Analysis of Severe and Challenging Behavior” with the Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis (IABA).

Signe loves spending time with her dogs, seeing friends and family, and traveling. She also loves coffee, a Netflix binge, and a good laugh.

Lorenzo was born in Manila, Philippines before moving to North America and eventually settling in Saskatoon, where he has lived for over 15 years. Lorenzo started his education and experience through the University of Regina nursing program, before finding his passion for the disability sector. Lorenzo started working at Elmwood Residences back in 2015 as a support worker in the community homes, while studying in University. Lorenzo then graduated with his Bachelors in Sociology from the University of Saskatchewan in 2019 and not long after made the move to the Supportive Independent Living Program as a Community Mentor and now has taken on the role of SILP Program Manager.

Lorenzo values all the relationships he has made through Elmwood, whether it be with coworkers, residents, or clients, and takes on each day with a positive outlook.
Lorenzo is also a freelance photographer and can often be seen walking around the city with camera in hand. Lorenzo leads the Elmwood Photography and Drama clubs, finding joy when residents can creatively express themselves through these mediums. In his free time, Lorenzo enjoys going for long runs, yoga, hiking, and then immediately eating good food right after all that physical activity.

With over 15 years of experience in the charitable sector, Maggie has established herself as a dedicated professional. In June 2021, she achieved the internationally recognized Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation, showcasing her commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and fundraising expertise.

Currently serving as the Manager of Community Engagement, Maggie is devoted to creating a vibrant and inclusive community for individuals living with intellectual disabilities. Her role revolves around enhancing the quality of life for those Elmwood serves by cultivating meaningful connections with diverse stakeholders. Through strategic engagement, Maggie focuses on diversifying revenue streams to ensure Elmwood’s continued growth and success. From spearheading initiatives like the annual holiday giving campaign and fundraising gala dinner to leveraging granting opportunities and building corporate partnerships, she works tirelessly to advance Elmwood’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Maggie finds fulfillment in her personal life. Happily married and a mama of two energetic youngsters, she embraces the joys and challenges of family life. In her leisure time, Maggie explores her interest of cooking new recipes, enjoys coffee visits with friends, engages in board games, and indulges in the simple pleasure of curling up with a good book.

After residing in Australia for 30 years, Kevin returned to Saskatoon in 2019, bringing with him a wealth of industry experience. He served as the previous CEO of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors and held the position of District General Manager with First on Site Restoration. In addition to his roles in Australia, Kevin has direct expertise in property management and property maintenance in Saskatoon.

Kevin’s commitment to community service is rooted in his family history of working with foster children and supporting those in need. Eager to contribute to the planned changes and improvements at Elmwood Residences, Kevin is excited about the opportunity to add value to the organization.

Central to Kevin’s approach is the philosophy of building relationships, a principle he values highly. His practical, hands-on experience in property management and his passion for serving individuals with disabilities align seamlessly with this philosophy. Kevin finds joy and satisfaction in supporting the leadership team and residents of Elmwood, making a positive impact on their lives and contributing to their well-being.

Grace’s is responsible for ensuring that the money entrusted to Elmwood for each resident is administered in the best interests of the resident.

While this may seem boring to some people, working at Elmwood is anything but that! Each day Grace has the pleasure of interacting with many of our residents on a social level. They have conversations about their day at work, plans for the evening, or how their favorite sports team is doing. Grace not only works at Elmwood, but also volunteers with our recreation department. Grace’s time with our residents has become an important part of her life and has taught her to appreciate each person for who they are.

Holly began her career with Elmwood in 2007 and has served as both a Direct Care Staff as well as a Group Home Manager. In Holly’s current role as the Community Home Coordinator, she builds meaningful relationships with Elmwood’s amazing employees to support their continued growth and development. She recognizes that Elmwood delivers its supports and services for people and by people through training and mentorship.

Through Elmwood, Holly found her passion for serving people. She believes that Elmwood provides residents with amazing support and opportunities and that this enriches the lives of the individuals Elmwood serves.

Tisha has been with Elmwood since 1995 and has held a variety of roles including Care Worker and Group Home Manager before moving into her current role of Scheduling Coordinator. Tisha has the challenge of scheduling staff for all eleven Community Homes and also plays a large part in interviewing and hiring new staff.

Tisha is kind and caring and our residents love that about her. She is always willing to stop any work she is doing to go help a resident in need. Scheduling can be challenging, but Tisha is a problem-solver extraordinaire and always comes up with a solution to meet the organizational needs.

Andrea was born and raised in Saskatoon and has dedicated many years to the health field, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the well-being of others. Her diverse experience spans long-term care, working with seniors, children, individuals living with intellectual disabilities in addition to serving those in the mental health and addictions sector.

Known for her caring and passionate nature, Andrea consistently strives to create an inclusive and loving environment, especially during challenging times. Her genuine interest in people drives her to spend time getting to know them and understanding what brings them happiness.

Beyond her professional life, Andrea is happily married and cherishes her role as a parent to four children and a grandparent to three grandchildren. During her leisure time, she engages in activities with her grandchildren, such as baking, games, and puzzles. Family game nights are a cherished tradition in her household. Additionally, Andrea indulges her creative side through crocheting and nurtures her love for gardening, tending to both outdoor plants in the summer and indoor plants during the winter months.

Owen is a dedicated and passionate individual who has spent his professional career of over 20 years in the Disability Service Sector. His drive for disability services focuses on building meaningful and long-lasting connections with residents and team members alike and helping them to succeed and achieve the impossible. Originally from Yorkton, Owen has served in a variety of capacities at both Cosmopolitan Industries and Elmwood Residences including job coach, coordinator and SILP mentor. He is currently serving as a Community Home Coordinator.

Owen is father to two adult children and spends much of his time with his four-year old grandson, Davius. In his spare time, Owen works out, kick boxes and is comic collector and self-proclaimed movie geek!

Ingrid was born in the Philippines, where she earned her diploma as a Graduate in Midwifery. After becoming a Registered Midwife, she worked in Saudi Arabia for four and a half years before coming to Canada 16 years ago. In 2010, Ingrid joined Elmwood as a Care Staff member and increased her role of responsibility to Night Supervisor in 2022 and in the Fall of 2023 accepted the role of Community Home Coordinator for the Manor. She is very passionate and committed to her career and was a recipient of Elmwood’s Resident First Award in 2021.

The move from Saudi Arabia to live and work in Canada was done on her own. Through her work at Elmwood, she has developed a strong relationship with the residents and staff and event considers them her second family. In December 2012, she was able to bring her two boys, Gian and Edrick over to join her here in Saskatoon.
Outside of her work, Ingrid enjoys going to concerts and exploring through hikes and travel. She has traveled to various states in the US and several places in Canada and often makes the trip home to the Philippines to visit family.

Julian was born and raised in Saskatchewan. His love for the Prairies made it an easy choice to attend the University of Saskatchewan where he graduated in June of 2022. He received his four-bachelor’s degree, majoring in psychology, and minoring in sociology. Julian’s passion for this line of work started when he was volunteering for the PAAL Program at the U of S. This volunteer opportunity truly sparked his interest in pursuing a career in the disability service sector.

Julian joined the Elmwood Community in May 2022. He applied for a part time position, as he was just finishing up his bachelor’s degree. After experiencing his first shift, he instantly loved the atmosphere that the Organization brought, and knew he needed to take the full-time position! You will always see Julian with a smile on his face, as he is always so excited to come to work! He enjoys spending time and creating a fun atmosphere for the residents.

When Julian’s not at work; He enjoys spending time fishing at his parent’s lake, going for walks with his wife (Paisley), and of course hanging out with his two beautiful cats, Sandy & Dre. During the winter, you will mostly find Julian at a Blades game cheering them on or relaxing at the Landmark theatre enjoying a brand-new movie!

Jennifer was born and raised in Saskatchewan and, as a true Saskatchewanian, Jenn loves her Saskatchewan Roughriders, and she bleeds green! Her love for the prairies has always kept her close to home. In May of 2019, Jenn married her best friend, Ian, creating a blended family of nine! Having a large family mark some of the most important values to Jenn; love, acceptance and belonging, but it is the role of caregiver Jennifer so easily and naturally fits.

She joined the team at Elmwood in 2019, bringing a vast amount of experience. Besides raising her own five children, she has spent time working with the public, caring for at risk youth, as well as assisting individuals who require a little bit of extra support to show their individual ‘shine’ Her heart has been touched by many of the people that she has worked with over the years. In her personal life, there is one special little girl that left a huge imprint on Jenn’s heart. If you know Jenn, you have heard her say “We have more to learn from them than they do from us!” or “Some of the best reminders and lessons come from just being around these beautiful individuals. Always leave your heart open.”

After success in a completely different career, of earlier years in the work force, Ramona wanted a change. She had always felt something was missing in her life and that she had more to offer fellow humans. Ramona started working parttime with seniors at a community center, and as Porter at both Regina hospitals, and absolutely loved the work! Circumstances beyond her control brought Ramona back to Saskatoon and lead her to Elmwood! Ramona started March of 2015 as a Professional Support Worker and fell in love within five minutes of her first shift! Recently she has been feeling like she needs a change but certainly did not want to leave Elmwood, so of course Ramona is absolutely thrilled with her new position as Community Home Coordinator. She looks forward to growing with the Elmwood Team and Residents in whatever the future holds!

In Ramona’s spare time she loves to sing and perform with her life partner Tim, travelling, loves hockey and football (total Riders fan and an avid Leafs fan), and very important snuggling with her little Chi Atticus.

Jackie graduated from Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan in 2016, Majoring in Exercised and Sports Studies. It was during university that she volunteered every weekend at Oliver Lodge, portering residents to and from church on Sunday mornings, assisting the Physio Aide with the walking program, and visiting residents who were lonely. While serving at Oliver, she was picked up by a Private Physio and she worked as an Exercise Therapist for 4 years, working with the Elderly who struggled with Neurological dysfunctions and giving the best exercise care possible! From then until now, she has worked in the Service industry, Administration, Corporate Insurance, and even in the Parts and Service world. One thing is absolutely certain, Jackie loves people and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty!

When Jackie isn’t at work, she is either at the gym training, or at a competition competing in Strongman. Jackie has competed in Strongman for 8 years and has travelled all around the world from Norway to all over North America. When not at the gym, work, or competitions (either coaching athletes or competing), she is watching lifting videos and sending corrections on technique to her athletes, reading the latest neuroscience or lifting biomechanic book, or spending time with her husband, Aaron. Although, he’s usually also at the gym or competitions with her. He’s her number one fan, supporter, and most needy athlete on her roster!

For me life is certainly a journey of new experiences. I started out as a CCA at Elmwood 6 years ago and from the beginning I knew this is where I was suppose to be. I absolutely love that I’m given the opportunity to help enrich the lives of all our residents in Elmwood. Being able to do what I love helps with the support of my husband and our 5 children.

When I’m not working I love to be with my family and my 3 fur babies and going travelling to see what this world has to offer. I look forward to this new chapter in my life and promise to give it my all.