Board Composition:
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.
Nomination Process:
Our Board of Directors consists of seven members whom are elected from a slate of nominees from our members.
2010 - 2011 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 Corp. 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
Executive Director, Export Services - Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP)
Ms. Wasylynka is the Executive 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 financial tools available for international 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 BMI.
Marion Ghiglione
Handy Special Events - Saskatoon
Marion was born in London, England to Dr. Norman Williams (Director of Occupational Health for Saskatchewan 1957-1967, Professor of Occupational Health at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia 1969-1975) and Margaret Williams RN.
She attended the U of R and U of S and graduated with a BSc in 1969. In the same year she married Barry Ghiglione of Coderre, SK and they have three daughters.
She was involved in Genealogy since 1975 and held positions as Chair of the Moose Jaw and Saskatoon Chapters of the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society. She also worked as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor/Examiner for many years in various parts of Saskatchewan. In 1982, Marion's husband started a new rental business and shortly after, Marion became a partner in the business. They own and successfully manage Handy Group of Companies consisting of Handy Rental Centre, Handy Special Event Centre, Handy Portables and Handy Self Storage in Saskatoon.
Marion has served on numerous boards/committees and in many different capacities: American Rental Association, Saskatchewan Local of Rental Association of Canada, ARA National Rental Shows, Education Committee of the ARA, CERP (Certified Event Rental Professional) Committee, Tourism Saskatoon Conventions Saskatoon, Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Director, Saskatoon Briers, Saskatoon Centennial Committee BPW (Business and Professional Women’s’ Club – Saskatoon Chapter and ATHENA Committee.
David Gauthier, PhD, MBA
CEO - Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan Inc. - EFS
David Gauthier joined the Entrepreneurial Foundation of Saskatchewan as Chief Executive Officer in August, 2008. David was educated at Queen’s University where he obtained BSCH (Biology), PhD (Biology) and MBA degrees. He has previously served as Director of Business Development with Performance Plants Inc. and as Vice-President with Foragen Technologies Management Inc., which managed a national venture capital fund specialized in advanced agricultural technology investments. David moved to Saskatoon in May 2005 when he joined the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program as Regional Director. Despite being a recent immigrant to Saskatoon, David has interacted extensively with the Saskatchewan research and business community since 1990. He has gained an appreciation for the entrepreneurial spirit in the Province and the business atmosphere was a primary factor in his decision to move to Saskatchewan with his wife and two children. David has served on a number of boards for both profit and not-for-profit organizations and has contributed to numerous committees over his career. He is currently a board member of Genome Prairie, a board member of the Saskatchewan Angel Investment Network, a member of the Agribusiness Committee of Saskatoon's Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Enterprise Saskatchewan's Entrepreneurial Strategic Council.
David McGrane
Saskatchewan Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs - SYPE
Dr. David McGrane was born and raised in Moose Jaw and did his undergraduate degree at the U of R, his Masters’ degree at York University in Toronto, and received his Ph.D. in political science at Carleton University in Ottawa. He began an appointment as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in political studies in July 2007 at St. Thomas More College and the University of Saskatchewan. He has published in the International Journal of Canadian Studies, Journal of Canadian Studies, Canadian Review of Political Science and has contributions in Constructing Tomorrow’s Federalism (University of Manitoba Press) and Saskatchewan Politics: Crowding the Centre (Canadian Plains Research Centre). David frequently comments in the media on federal and provincial politics and teaches classes in North American politics, Canadian political parties, federalism, and multiculturalism. Since 2009, he has been the Director of Community Relations for the Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs and joined BMI Board of Directors in April 2010.
Greg Fofonoff
SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation
Greg obtained his MBA from the U of S. He has been involved in the small business development field in Saskatchewan for over 20 years as a business consultant or manager of a small business developmental lending agency.
From 1988 to 1992, Greg was the Manager of the Meridian Business Development Center.
Greg began with (SMEDCO) in 1992. Since 1997, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of SMEDCO.
Gerry Christiansen
Lac La Ronge Indian Band
Gerry Christiansen received his Bachelor of Education at the U of S / Northern Teacher Education Program. He has several degrees and a diploma for Renewable Resource from the Kelsey Institute. Gerry has worked as a Conservation Officer, elementary school teacher, school Principal and business owner of Boreal Furniture.
At present Gerry is the General Manager and Economic Development Officer for the Keethanow Group of Businesses Lac La Ronge Indian Band. In the position he provides the overall management and planning. They operate six businesses in total: a bingo hall, a gas bar, a full line grocery store, a lumber/furniture store and two community grocery gas bars.