Nomination Process:
The BMI Board is made up of representatives from its funding agencies, the Government of Saskatchewan, the Counselling Foundation of Canada, Economic and Business Development organizations, and local industry leaders that have shown an interest in BMI.
Our Board of Directors consists of 10 members who are elected from a slate of nominees from the regular and associate members. Two additional director positions are held for BMI's funding agencies which include the Government of Saskatchewan and the Counselling Foundation of Canada.
2010 Board of Directors:
Dianne Olchowski
Chief Executive Officer - Sagehill Community Futures Development Corporation
Dianne has been involved in community economic development for 25 years as a volunteer and as a practitioner. Through the years she has served on municipal council, been an active member of various local and provincial boards and agencies and owned several businesses of her own.
In 1985 she became employed with Sagehill Community Futures Development Corporation as a Business Development Officer and in 1994 assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer. She is a strong advocate for small business, a promoter for rural Saskatchewan and a staunch supporter of our local communities and their volunteer base.
Angela Wasylynka
Deputy Director, International Finance & Logistics - Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership
Ms. Wasylynka is the Deputy Director for International Finance and Logistics Services with Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP). Since 2002, Ms. Wasylynka has worked one-on-one with exporters to ensure they are aware of the financil tools available for interantional trade.
Before joining STEP in 2002, Angela graduated from the Bachelor of Administration degree program at the University of Regina with work experience from the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and the International Trade Centre. Angela received her CITP designation from the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) in May 2005.
Through the network of the exporter community, Angela works to ensure companies understand the linkage between mentorship and the business growth through her involvement with Business Mentorship Institute of Saskatchewan.
Terri Parent, BAC, APEC-CBC
Loans Manager - Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.
Terri has been involved with entrepreneurship and small business management since 1992 as a business counselor, investment manager; and Loans Manager of Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan since March 1997.
Terri also operates her own small business where she facilitates training in the areas of small business counseling and board leadership development.
Terri is a strong proponent of volunteering in her community and Province. She sits on various boards and committees for non-profit organizations including the Community Futures Development Corporation’s Entrepreneurs with Disabilities committee, Women’s Mid-Life Health Centre of Saskatchewan as Board member and Chair of the Sustainability Committee, and is Past-president of Business and Professional Women Saskatoon Chapter.
Terri believes mentorship provides an opportunity for her and others to continue the path of life-long learning about which she is passionate.
Monica Kreuger
President
Global Infobrokers Inc. - Vice President, Praxis International Institute
Co-founder, Venture Forward $100K Business Plan Competition
Monica is a passionate advocate for Saskatchewan, entrepreneurship and youth. She and her husband/business partner Brent, along with their team of entrepreneurs associated with Global Infobrokers, have assisted over 600 companies to get their start in Saskatchewan through training and management coaching. Their next venture is the launching of Saskatchewan’s first private international boarding high school focusing on entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship in the Eco-Village in Craik, SK.
Monica is on the executive of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Business Growth Committee; Chair of the Professional Advisory Board of ace.saskatchewan (Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship); an active member of STEP; SREDA, SYPE, BPW; CCSBE; and various other business and community groups in Saskatchewan. She is a formal mentor with the Raj Manek Mentorship and CYBF programs and an informal mentor to many others. She has also been teaching Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management at the University of Saskatchewan in the College of Commerce since the mid 90’s.
She and Brent have four grown children whom all currently reside in Saskatoon.
Jan Swanson
Regional Manager - Enterprise Saskatchewan
Jan Swanson is the North Battleford Regional Manager of Enterprise Saskatchewan. Prior to this he was employed with the Department of Industry and Resources and Rural Development. He has worked in the Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon offices and in 1988 joined the North Battleford office as Regional Manager.
His expertise lies in project development, business operations and business counselling, both locally and internationally, as evidenced by his experience and education in the manufacturing, retail and service industries.
Jan’s years of working in the economic and business development field and his personal passion for business have provided opportunities for learning, building and providing expertise in most business sectors.
John Keeler
John has worked in management positions in both the private and public sector, providing him with a wide range of experiences useful in assisting the development of relationships. This has provided BMI with an experienced mentor with an understanding of the skills required for forming the relationship that is the hallmark of a great match
John’s knowledge in the financial industry and operation of small and medium sized businesses provides a broad understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs from an operational and regulatory perspective. This knowledge has been useful for John’s work in improving the business environment in Saskatchewan.