Melissa Kober Meier, P.Eng., PMP is a geotechnical engineer turned entrepreneur and the founder of Mekomi Solutions, creator of NeverNude™ Coveralls—innovative FR/AR protective gear designed with discreet bathroom access built-in. With over a decade in fieldwork, Melissa uses her technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and lived experience to bridge gaps in workplace safety, inclusivity, and dignity. She has led pilot projects in Canada’s potash mining and environmental engineering industries, speaks regularly on bathroom access as a safety issue, and is building partnerships to scale her solution. Melissa lives in Edmonton, AB and is driven by her mission to help women—and all field workers—work with safety, dignity, and
respect.  https://mekomisolutions.com/

Vanessa is a Red Seal Journeyperson Welder with over two decades of hands-on experience in fabrication, plant maintenance, and the piping industry. A former owner-operator of a mobile rig welding business for 12 years, she built a respected career through her local union while earning additional credentials, including a Blue Seal and a Level 1 Inspector certification with a process piping endorsement.

Currently completing her Bachelor of Applied Management, Vanessa now applies her industry knowledge in a Project Manager role in the construction sector. Passionate about mentorship and equity in the trades, she is a committed advocate for tradeswomen, actively working to create pathways for growth, learning, and leadership within skilled trades communities.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-miller-3559aa138/

A dual certified welder and metal fabricator, Allison Zerr brings hands-on expertise and a powerful voice to the skilled trades—particularly within the manufacturing sector. As a single mother and advocate for women in underrepresented careers, she is committed to reshaping the narrative around who belongs in industrial and resource-based roles. With a focus on mentorship, workforce development, and inclusion, Allison actively supports the advancement of women in trades, aligning her work with the mining industry’s goals of building a diverse, resilient, and future-ready workforce.

Alison completed a pre-employment welding program in 1998. She worked within multiple manufacturing shops obtaining a Red Seal welding ticket. For 15 years, she worked at New Holland Saskatoon, where she was able to gain skills in training, leadership, quality control, and focused improvement. Alison leaped and joined the mining industry in 2018 with Nutrien. In 2022, she was able to go back to her roots as a Welder Underground. Alison is now the Maintenance Supervisor for BHP’s Potash Academy, supporting the training of new-to-industry miners and industrial mechanics across a diverse workforce.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-solmes-93170b302/

Rachelle was appointed senior vice-president and chief corporate officer in July 2024.  She has been with Cameco since 2006 in increasingly senior leadership roles in investor relations, most recently as vice-president, investor relations since 2018. Her portfolio also included oversight for tax and treasury from 2020 to 2023.

As chief corporate officer, Rachelle provides executive oversight for human resources, internal audit, investor relations and supply chain management.

Prior to joining Cameco, Rachelle worked at the University of Saskatchewan in the industry liaison office, helping to commercialize early-stage technologies developed at the university. She also has experience working in finance and human resources for an agricultural biotechnology start-up company in Saskatoon.   

Shaunna Leyte is a Partner at EY Saskatoon with over 17 years of experience in audit and advisory services. She works with clients across mining, oil & gas, utilities, and agribusiness, and leads the office’s Financial Accounting Advisory Services practice.  Shaunna specializes in IFRS and complex transactions, and is the lead partner on several major audit accounts. She currently serves on the board of Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK).  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunna-leyte-ca-cpa-87577a74/

Erin Taman Athmer is the Associate Vice-President of Nuclear Stakeholder Management at the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), where she works collaboratively to ensure inclusive and meaningful participation in the development of nuclear projects.  With over 16 years at SRC, Erin brings extensive experience in communications, economic impact assessment, and corporate social responsibility.

She also gives back to the community through her role as Chair of the Board of Directors for BGC Saskatoon, demonstrating a deep commitment to youth and community development. Erin is also a mentor as part of the WIM/WiN-SK Mentorship Program and SRC’s Kiskiyihta Indigenous Summer Student Program.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erintamanathmer/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmacdonaldexecutive/

Ian is a Saskatoon-based leader in Deloitte's Technology and Transformation practice where he focuses, both nationally and globally, on the Energy, Resources & Industrials industry and the Mining & Metals sector. Prior to Deloitte, Ian worked extensively in the mining and fertilizer industries with experience in Strategy & Corporate Development; M&A; Finance; Technology; and Maintenance, Procurement & Operations. Ian brings a proven ability to align people, processes, and technology to deliver sustainable value, having led complex, global, multi-site change programs for both industry leaders and major consultancies.

Véronique Loewen owns Verolingo Communications and is a seasoned professional in communications, translation, community investment, and public engagement management. A founding member of Women in Mining/Women in Nuclear Saskatchewan, she also serves on Prairieland Park and Saskatoon Co-op boards, bringing leadership and insight to every table she joins. https://verolingo.com/about

Véronique Loewen's LinkedIn

Sonja Basson is a globally accredited engineer, leader, and author with over 18 years of experience across the mining and energy industry. She has led major projects, complex integrations, and digital transformations to become a trusted advisor. Sonja shares how her story of resilience and overcoming life-changing tragedy has helped her to lead with authenticity and to rise to every challenge. She helps leaders see change as a catalyst to empower them to step into their power during times of rapid change and uncertainty. The future of leadership is globally fluent, emotionally intelligent, and deeply human.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-basson-mining-and-energy-leader-consulting-services

NICOLE BERG, MSC, BA, CPCC, PCC, FRSA

Co-founder and Chief Visionary, UNCORPORATE

With a proven record of innovation as an international, 13x award-winning founder of a coaching social enterprise and of large-scale initiatives, Nicole partners with organizations to spot and capitalize on their people development opportunities for breakthrough impact and results.

Over the past decade, Nicole has supported more than 350 executives, senior and emerging leaders and teams in Fortune 10-500 Companies across industries such as Technology, Biotechnology, Oil & Gas, Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing, Construction, Communications, Hospitality as well as Academic, Federal, and Non-Profit Institutions

She serves as President of the Prairie Charter Chapter of the International Coaching Federation covering Saskatchewan and Manitoba. She is a Lifetime Fellow of The RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce).

Josée Tremblay is a Principal at Strategic Decisions Group (SDG). She advises global clients on strategic choices under uncertainty, bringing clarity to complexity for long-term value. She’s a mechanical engineer, board director, and author of the bestseller “Us and Yet and Yet,” in which she explores the intersection of technical leadership, supportive environments, and human connection.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/josee-tremblay/

Cheryl is a mechanical engineer and dynamic leader in STEM and skilled trades, with senior experience in research, resource and mining sectors. She has pioneered innovative programs that inspire youth, educators and advocates. At CCWESTT, she builds strategic partnerships to advance inclusive, diverse workplaces through systemic change for lasting impact.  https://ccwestt-ccfsimt.org/about-us/who-we-are/

Jove is a queer, trans, non-binary trades worker, artist, and advocate. A CHANGEMAKER by Pride at Work honouree and the first trans, non-binary director on the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Board, Jove now coordinates projects at CCWESTT, mobilizing men as allies to prevent gender-based violence and harassment in the skilled trades.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovenazatul/

Melanie is a Mine Operations General Foreperson at Nutrien Cory Potash and a registered Professional Engineer with APEGS. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. Melanie began her mining career with the engineering department at Cory as a Mine Engineer, gaining expertise in rock mechanics, ground control, long-range planning, and project management. In 2019, she was promoted to the role of Chief Mine Engineer – a position she held for four years. Most recently, Melanie was appointed to her current position in Operations. In this role, she has embraced further opportunities to develop her knowledge and skills in leadership, operations management, and labour relations.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-stare-p-eng-208a20113/

Melanie is an executive member of the Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) Saskatoon, having previously served as chair for 2023-2024.

Outside of her professional life, Melanie is a busy mom and partner who finds joy in time with family and exploring the beautiful outdoors. With a deep love of dogs (she has three!), she and her husband also volunteer with Saskatoon Dog Rescue as a foster home for rescue dogs - training, caring for, and loving them as they search for their forever families.

Tennille Hanson is the Manager Integrated Planning based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, leading cross-functional planning across mine, maintenance, and logistics operations. 

In this role, Tennille oversees the development and execution of short- to medium-term production plans, ensuring alignment across the value chain from mine to port. She leads a team dedicated to optimizing operational efficiency and integration.

Tennille has played a pivotal role in establishing foundational processes for production planning, enhancing decision-making through data-driven strategies, and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.

Prior to her current role, she led the Business Planning function for Potash, overseeing the long-term growth ambitions and sustainability strategies including tenure management for Canada. 

Tennille also served as Secretariat for the Group Investment Review Committee, supporting the Executive Team in delivering effective and timely investment decisions for BHP at a global scale.

Tennille has also set up Program and Investment Offices for Eldorado Gold in Europe and Canada, as well as BHP Potash Portfolio Management Office, focusing on governance and risk. She drove the Jansen Stage 1 Investment, ensuring strategic alignment with the Board and investors.

Tennille is passionate about cultivating high-performing teams and fostering a culture of transparency and invention.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tennille-hanson-b0853092/

Cassandra is the Global Director for Nickel, Cobalt and Manganese, and a Hatch Associate with 25 years of experience in process engineering and study management for metallurgical projects. She has been a project manager and study lead for several conceptual and pre-feasibility studies, including a number of new technology development projects, such as the implementation of a new pre-reduction demonstration facility from concept to commissioning within 18 months. She has been a key team member for commissioning, troubleshooting and modification of a number of fluidized bed systems for improved operations and capacity expansion, as well as process lead for various roasting of complex metallurgical concentrates and whole ores.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-lee-39341166/

MARNI RENNER, CPC, PCC, CPHR, ELI-MP

Co-founder and Chief Disruptor, UNCORPORATE

With over 25 years in Human Resources—across leadership, organizational development, and culture transformation—Marni brings deep expertise and sharp insight to the people’s challenges that stall innovation and growth. Marni works at the intersection of corporate strategy, leadership behaviour, and human experience, helping organizations shift from status quo to stand-out.

As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Certified HR Professional (CPHR), Marni has partnered with executives, teams, and high-growth companies to  lead culture and change initiatives that stick, rebuild trust & psychological safety in teams and develop emotionally intelligent, high-accountability leaders.