Bio:

Prior to his appointment to the Executive Director role with HSAS, Al provided two decades of labour relations leadership in the Saskatchewan public sector in both management and labour leadership roles.

Al is honoured to provide leadership and advocacy for and with the HSAS membership.

Al recognizes that innovative and positive solutions can be arrived at through a collaborative spirit, curiosity and flexibility.

As a relationship builder in, across and outside of HSAS, he is a firm believer that strong, effective member advocacy and desired outcomes for our province’s health care, are supported by developing and building positive, productive and purposeful relationships.

Bio:

Jesse joined HSAS in 2017, bringing with him 20 years as a union activist and 16 years as a union representative in the university sector.  During this time, he has been a member of the CAW, OSSTF, CUPE 1281, CUPE 3903, COPE and USW.  Most recently, Jesse served as a Member Services Officer and Organizer at the University of Regina Faculty Association, where he helped organize the sessional faculty into a new bargaining unit and negotiated two collective agreements at First Nations University of Canada.

Prior to arriving in Saskatchewan, Jesse served the Canadian Union of Public Employees in Ontario, where he worked as Staff Representative for CUPE Locals 3902 (University of Toronto), 3903 (York University) and 3906 (McMaster University).  In 2006/7, Jesse was seconded by CUPE National to assist with a successful drive to organize Research Assistants at York University.

Jesse has been proud to represent approximately 16,000 members within 18 bargaining units.  He has participated in 5 certification drives, 5 strikes, and has negotiated 20 collective agreements, including the first contract for Post-Doctoral Fellows in Canada.

Jesse is a certified public school teacher, having completed his B.Ed at University of Toronto in 2007, following upon a BA and MA in Political Science from York University.

In his time with HSAS, Jesse has been very impressed with the compassionate and dedicated members of HSAS, and he looks forward to working with the membership, leadership and staff in the challenging years ahead.

Bio:

In the summer of 2022, Kristina Andersen joined the HSAS team as a Saskatoon based LRO. Prior to joining the HSAS, Kristina had represented the interests of Canadian North’s Flight Attendant group, as the AOSH representative in Calgary, base Vice-President (Calgary) and as Executive Vice-President

In the past, Kristina worked as a flight attendant for WestJet, Flair and Canadian North. In 2018, two of the largest airlines that serve Canada’s northern most communities, Canadian North (CUPE 4053) and First Air (CUPE 4058); announced that they were merging. As part of a team tasked with merging two very different CBAs, Kristina was an active participant in working on the first collective bargaining agreement for the newly united Canadian North (CUPE 8111). In her various roles, Kristina has continually strived to improve working conditions for Flight Attendants across the Canadian North network, and sought out creative solutions to the complex problems and situations facing Cabin Crews.

Prior to arriving in Saskatchewan with her family, Kristina lived and worked in Calgary, AB. As a lifelong learner, in 2019, Kristina returned to the University of Athabasca to complete her Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations degree.

Since joining the HSAS, Kristina has enjoyed working with a Labour Relations team that has an enviable amount of knowledge and experience in interpreting CBAs, employer practices, labour law and employment legislation. A self-professed trivia nerd and diehard Beatles fan, Kristina enjoys learning about the specific challenges facing the Health Care industry and advocating on behalf of HSAS members.

Bio:

Isabella Thomas commenced employment with HSAS in August of 2022. Isabella has 6 years of experience in a Human Resources Advisor and Manager role for a retail firm. Recently, she worked as a Human Resources Business Advisor for the academia sector for 2 years. Isabella holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Saskatchewan with a major in Human Resources.

Isabella has lived in Saskatchewan for majority of her life and currently resides in Saskatoon with her husband. She is excited to be part of HSAS and working towards supporting its members.

Bio:

Brina has worked in labour relations since 2012 but her passion for LR started long before that. Growing up with a unionist mother, she spent her youth sitting at bargaining tables and handing out coffee on picket lines. Watching the passion her mom and fellow members displayed while fighting for better work environments showed Brina the amazing work that unions do. This inspired Brina as she pursued her B.Comm at the University of Saskatchewan. Graduating in 2012, she quickly found a job working in labour relations and has been blessed to follow her passion every day since.

Prior to joining the HSAS team, Brina worked for the CLR Construction Labour Relations Association of Saskatchewan, an organization that represents unionized contractors in the province. While she may come from an employer background, Brina is a firm believer in unions and is excited to get back to where it all began.

Brina is a lifelong Saskatchewan resident and lives in Regina with her husband, son, and two dogs. She is a fan of all things Christmas, the Vancouver Canucks, and crafting. She is looking forward to meeting the membership and supporting them in any way she can.

Bio:

Braden was first employed as an LRO with HSAS in 2019 after spending 5 years as an elected member of Executive Council. He previously worked in Regina as an Advanced Care Paramedic for over 10 years, and was also an HSAS member. Braden holds diplomas as a Primary Care Paramedic and an Advanced Care Paramedic, as well as recently completing a Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University.

Braden has lived in Saskatchewan his entire life, and currently resides in Regina with his wife and 2 children. He enjoys working for HSAS and supporting the valued members he represents.

Bio:

Curtis joined the HSAS in January 2024.
He has a Masters Degree in Arts – majoring in sociology – and a Bachelors Degree in Arts – majoring in psychology and sociology (Hons). His work background includes management in the private sector and multiple research positions held at the University of Regina.

The last research project he worked on for the University, Reconciling Perspectives explored the Independent Assessment Process (a component of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement) through the lens of Canadian news media and the personal experiences of the individuals who were directly involved. He is fascinated by social structures, systems, communication and the behavior of individuals who influence, and are influenced by, these.

Bio:

Adam joins the Labour Relations Team from having spent the last 6 years as the Lead Faculty (Labour) Relations Officer with Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Faculty Association where he represented a large variety of skilled educators, librarians, counsellors and more across the province in 150+ programs and disciplines while supervising the labour relations team. He has a background in labour, criminal and occupational health and safety law and has served as witness in front of adjudicators, arbitrators and in the courts of Saskatchewan. In addition, he served as President of his Staff Union (FASU) and assisted in negotiating 3 collective agreements in his tenure with SPFA.

Adam has previous regulatory experience as an Employment Standards Officer and Deputy Sheriff in the province of Saskatchewan but is most proud of his work in labour relations where he gets to make a positive difference in the lives of the hard-working people of our province and most specifically; our members.

Adam lives in Saskatoon with his wife who is a pharmacist and his two kids. When he’s not at work or busy running kids to activities; he’s either golfing, BBQing, playing hockey, cheering for his favorite sports teams or caring for his 2 dogs, 2 cats, bird, fish and snail that his family states is the ‘Farion Farm’.

Adam looks forward to building trusting relationships with the membership and working with them to resolve challenges in the workplace. He is also very interested in learning about each and every unique profession within the scope of the HSAS bargaining unit.

Bio:

Jess Grant joined HSAS in October 2020 and works at the Regina office.

Jess attended the University of Regina, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, and a Public Relations Certification in 2016.

Before coming to HSAS, Jess worked for the Brandt Group of Companies in Digital Marketing and Communications for five years. Prior to that, Jess worked for FCC and the Government of Saskatchewan.

Jess has lived in Saskatchewan her entire life and grew up on a ranch in a small town in the Southwest corner of the province. She has lived in Regina for the last 12 years.

Bio:

Alicia joined HSAS in June 2024 and works at the Regina office.

Alicia holds a diploma in Graphic Communications and a certificate in Prepress (Desktop) Publishing and Digital Imaging Design.

Before coming to HSAS, she worked for the SWCB as a Communications and Marketing Officer. Along with marketing expertise, Alicia has over a decade of experience as a graphic designer and photographer.

Alicia has lived in Saskatchewan her entire life and has called Regina her home since 2009. She lives here with her husband, two kids, and dog.

Bio:

In April of 2016 Kelly joined the HSAS team as an Administrative Assistant. In April 2019 she was promoted to Membership Records Coordinator for HSAS. Previously Kelly worked at Western Surety Company for 10 years in the clerical and fiduciary bonding departments.

Kelly holds a Certificate in Office & Administration Education.

Bio:

Brandi Kinzel received her Business Office Specialist Diploma from Saskatoon Business College in December of 2012 and began working for the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan at the end of January of 2013. Since starting at HSAS Brandi has learned what it means both to be part of a union and to serve the union. She has also had the opportunity to be able to plan and/or attend events such as our Annual Convention and MLA Holiday Reception during her time with HSAS.

Bio:

Mandy Doering graduated from college with a Medical Administrative Assistant Diploma in 2003.

Mandy started with HSAS in September 2023. Previously Mandy worked for the SHA for 11 years, and was also a very active union member in her previous union. She takes pride in being able to help members and advocate for them.

Mandy resides in Saskatoon, where she enjoys spending time with her husband, son and 2 dogs. She is very excited to be part of HSAS and improving healthcare in Saskatchewan.