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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Kellie Garrett is an executive coach and speaker who consults on all things leadership.
Well-versed in the perils and positives of power, Kellie Garrett describes herself as a
‘recovering executive’. Formerly a senior vice-president at Farm Credit Canada (FCC),
she was responsible for business strategy, enterprise risk management, the customer
experience, and marketing communication. Honours include Master Communicator and
Fellow from the International Association of Business Communicators, Canada’s 100
Most Powerful Women and Top 25 Women of Influence, and the Red Cross (SK)
Humanitarian Award for autism advocacy.

Kellie is passionate about helping others get out of their own way to reach their
potential. She is fascinated by vertical development and the choice to demonstrate
personal leadership (or not). Her debut book, Self-Coaching the Dragon Within, was
published last year. In her free time, she loves making art, flower gardening and
travelling.

Judy Riege is a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker with decades of experience working
across sport, education, and business. She’s on a mission to create everyday leaders
everywhere—bold, human, real, and results-oriented. The kind of role models we need today.
The remarkable leaders and mentors we’ll need even more tomorrow.

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.

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.

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.