Meet Jaimie
A qualified professional, local business owner and caring advocate.
Putting community first.
Jaimie is uniquely qualified.
I hold a B.A. and Masters degree in Political Science from the University of Victoria as well as a Professional Director certificate in governance. I have a strong background in public policy and ethics. This term I completed Equity and Racial Justice training through the University of Regina as well as training in Conflict Resolution and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy training.
I participate in ongoing professional development including current topics in parliamentary procedures, governance, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Risk Management, cyber security, legal matters, fiscal oversight, land-based learning, the Science of Reading, public speaking, rural education and more.
Some of the best learning for a trustee is having a presence in schools, talking with community members, hearing directly from students, staff, School Community Councils and families.
As a lifelong learner in a dynamic sector, I believe that ongoing professional development of trustees leads to good governance and informed decision-making, which ultimately benefits students.
Jaimie is honoured to serve.
As the elected President of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association and the elected Vice-President of the Canadian School Boards Association. I champion high-quality publicly funded education at a time when strong, experienced, non-partisan leadership is needed.
In 2023 I was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of my contributions to education at the local, provincial and national level.
Jaimie is an entrepreneur.
As a successful business owner of 22 years in the local construction industry, I bring a valuable skillset to the boardroom: project management, human resources, financial management, planning and strategy.
I have experience in administration of payroll, benefits, insurance, Occupational Health and Safety and Worker’s Compensation, recruitment of skilled workers through the Skilled Worker Program and apprenticeship programs with the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission and Gabriel Dumont Institute.
I value evidence-based decision-making, innovation, and taking measured risks.
Also significant, women belong in the Trades, in Business and in the boardroom.
Jaimie is a life-long side-kick & advocate.
School boards benefit from diverse representation at the table; boardrooms should reflect the diversity that exists in the communities they serve.
My background includes being a lifelong advocate, caregiver and side-kick to my daughter Quinn, who thrives with Cerebral Palsy. This lived experience is inseparable from who I am and what I believe about inclusion - in education and life.
Every student, regardless of where they come from or where they live, deserves a high quality education and to be connected to their brightest possible future. Also, it’s a collective responsibility to identify and remove barriers, ensuring all voices are heard, valued and welcomed.
Trustees play an important role in upholding the human and educational rights of all students and ensure that students are at the heart of every decision.
Jaimie is local.
I was born and raised in Saskatchewan and attended Regina Public Schools. My mom, sister and many extended relatives are educators and my dad was a school trustee with Saskatoon Public Schools. My sisters and I were raised to value public education as a common good that benefits society and contributes to cohesiveness. We learned that education is an ‘equalizer’, an opportunity to become a lifelong learner, connect with your passions and learn about citizenship. All of this is still true. We all benefit from an educated society.
After spending 10 years in Victoria, B.C. I moved back to Saskatchewan with my partner Al and our young family. We chose to move to Elk Ridge to live, work and raise a family. We chose a small rural elementary school for our three children. Living in a rural community and being part of a rural school community is about embracing a sense of shared responsibility. Rural schools truly are the heart and hub of our communities.
Our family’s experience of Saskatchewan Rivers Public Schools (both small rural and large urban) has been exceptional. The people and the culture are second to none.
Jaimie is committed to reconcilliation.
I am proud to live and raise my family on Treaty 6 Territory. Treaty 6 was signed in 1876, a covenant that predates the formation of Saskatchewan and all of the legislation and policies that we work within today in the education sector.
I honour Treaty 6 and all treaties that were made in Saskatchewan by: practicing land acknowledgements, supporting mandatory Treaty education, recognizing and affirming the importance of Orange Shirt Day, supporting Indigenous language revitalization and Elders in schools. I participate in the Elders Council for Saskatchewan Rivers School Division and the Indigenous Council of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. I also support and promote Indigenous representation on school boards.
PHOTO CREDIT: Aishwarya Dudha/CBC
Jaimie is a volunteer.
During our long, beautiful winters, I volunteer as a ski instructor with the Saskatchewan Adaptive Snow Sports Club, introducing children and adults with disabilities to the joy and freedom of sit-skiing (and sometimes yodelling) down Saskatchewan ski hills.
Together with my daughter, I am also the co-founder of a social enterprise dedicated to disability arts, entrepreneurship and advocacy.