Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership Inc. (STEP) Organizational Chart

STEP Staff

Mr. Lionel LaBelle
President and CEO
Phone: 306-787-1550 (Regina) / 306-933-6552 (Saskatoon)
Fax: 306-787-6666 (Regina) / 306-933-6556 (Saskatoon)
e-mail

• Biography

Reporting to the STEP Board of Directors, responsible for all aspects of corporate governance and accountable for all activities and actions undertaken by STEP staff. Priority setting, fiduciary responsibility, product and service definitions and standards, liaison with the stakeholder and communication of all of the above within Saskatchewan to the business community and the general public are essential aspects of responsibilities to the Board and Members of STEP.

Ms. Nicole Grande
Accounting Coordinator
Phone: 306-787-4136
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

Provides administrative support to the controller and corporate services unit, including support with accounting and human resources. Provides assistance in carrying out various tasks to the CEO, Membership & Communications Specialist and Organizational Development Specialist.

Ms. Heather Swan
Manager, Corporate Services
Phone: 306-787-7942
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

• Biography

Reporting to the President and CEO, and working closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Management Team, Heather provides organizational development and human resource initiatives with STEP staff. A prime focus is to ensure that the organization’s professional development targets and needs are met in a strategic fashion as well as carrying out other special projects aimed at enhancing services to STEP members.

Ms. Janice Lawless
Membership Coordinator
Phone: 306-787-7919
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

As part of the Corporate Services Group, and working with all other staff targets, coordinates all STEP membership attraction and retention initiatives. Janice provides assistance and support to the membership growth of STEP. Also responsible for the planning and coordination of the Regional Export Advisory Council meetings among STEP members.

Mr. Brad Michnik, CITP
Executive Director, Trade Development
Phone: 306-933-6555
Fax: 306-933-6556
e-mail

• Biography

Working closely within STEP's management team and reporting to the President & C.E.O, Mr. Michnik provides leadership and strategic direction to STEP's team of trade development professionals. Provides strategic direction to the ongoing evolution of STEP's trade development and market intelligence activities exploring new initiatives for expanding networks, contacts and business opportunities to enhance Saskatchewan trade potential.

Mr. Tim Marshall
Director, Trade Development, Asia-Africa
Phone: 306-787-2191
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

• Biography

Manages trade development activities in Greater China, Former Soviet Union, Central Europe, Middle East, South Asia, Asean and Africa. Works with members to develop work plans for these regions to secure sales. Organizes outgoing and incoming trade missions. Jointly identifies and assists with STEP's international projects. Tim is also the Honourary Consul for Mongolia in Saskatchewan.

Ms. Lana Jankowski
Trade Officer, Asia-Africa
Phone: 306-787-2194
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

• Biography

As a member of the Trade Development, Asia - Africa team, responsible for trade development initiatives that promote and facilitate growth in STEP member's and potential member's trade activities. Supports the Senior Director in Trade Development activities and projects, with emphasis on Eastern Europe and South Asia. Coordinates all aspects of incoming and outgoing trade missions including the development of programs and itineraries, preparation of briefing materials, planning and coordination of logistics (domestic and international), as well as, the completion of follow-up trade activities relating to trade leads and trade missions for this Division.

Mr. Rob Ziola, B.Comm., CITP
Director - Trade Development, Manufacturing
Phone: 306-933-6557
Fax: 306-933-6556
e-mail

• Biography

Manages the Trade Development Team for Manufactured Goods. Develops and implements strategies and initiatives that will promote, encourage and facilitate growth in trade and exports for Saskatchewan Manufactured Goods. In cooperation with Saskatchewan exporters, develops and assists in the implementation of strategic plans aimed at successfully obtaining sales, contracts and projects. Organization of trade missions, incoming buyer missions, advice, guidance, and in-market representation are some of the key elements in accomplishing this. Sectors of concentration primarily include agricultural equipment, consumer products and other manufactured goods.

Ms. Stacey Sauer
Market Intelligence Specialist, Manufacturing Trade Team
Phone: 306-933-5239
Fax: 306-933-6556
e-mail

Responds to exporting members' need for qualified, actionable international market intelligence. Under the direction of the Director, Manufacturing Trade Team, participates in market intelligence activities to advance the interests of Saskatchewan exporters through the provision of timely, accurate information and intelligence for international markets.

Ms. Brenda Hawryluk
Trade Specialist, Manufacturing Trade Team
Phone: 306-787-9335
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

• Biography

Consults with STEP members in the manufactured products area regarding market entry strategies. As a Trade Specialist, works with members to develop and implement strategies and business development missions (both outgoing and incoming) that will promote, encourage and facilitate growth in exports for Saskatchewan goods and services.

Ms. Jennifer Evancio
Director, Agri-Value Trade Team
Phone: 306-787-7945
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

• Biography

Leads the Agri-Value Trade Development Team. Develops and implements strategies and initiatives that will promote, encourage and facilitate growth in trade and exports for Saskatchewan companies involved in this exciting sector. In cooperation with Saskatchewan exporters, develops and assists in the implementation of strategic plans aimed at successfully obtaining sales, contracts and projects. Gathering strategic market intelligence, organization of trade missions, incoming buyer missions, advice, guidance, and in-market representation are some of the key methods of executing these strategies. Sectors of concentration include agricultural commodities, livestock and genetics, food ingredients, feed products (livestock, aquaculture & pet), value-added food products, natural health products, organic foods, agricultural biotechnology, bio-products and bio-fuels. Responsible for the following geographic regions: North, South & Central America, Western Europe, Japan, Australia & New Zealand.

Ms. Nataliya Pasichnyk
Trade Specialist, Agri-Value Trade Team
Phone: 306-787-2222
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

• Biography

Develops and implements strategies and initiatives that promote, encourage and facilitate growth in trade and international business development for the Saskatchewan Agri-Value Sector. Manage the planning and implementation of a program of trade missions to priority markets. Manage the attraction, planning and implementation of incoming buyers’ missions and outreach programs by foreign dignitaries and Canadian Trade Commissioners to Saskatchewan.

Mr. Doug O'Brien
Market Intelligence Specialist, Agri-Value Trade Team
Phone: 306-787-5708
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

Responds to exporting members' need for qualified, actionable international market intelligence. Under the direction of the Director, Agri-Value Trade Team, participates in market intelligence activities to advance the interests of Saskatchewan exporters through the provision of timely, accurate information and intelligence for international markets.

Mr. Guy Hughes
Director, Technology & Professional Services Trade Team
Phone: 306-787-7940
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

• Biography

Leads the Technology & Professional Services Trade Development Team. Develops and implements strategies and initiatives that will promote, encourage and facilitate growth in trade and exports for Saskatchewan companies involved in these sectors. In cooperation with Saskatchewan exporters, develops and assists in the implementation of strategic plans aimed at successfully obtaining sales, contracts and projects. Gathering strategic market intelligence, organization of trade missions, incoming buyer missions, advice, guidance, and in-market representation are some of the key ways that the team accomplishes this. Sectors of concentration primarily include ICT, Environmental, Mining & Energy as well as Professional Services.

Ms. Brynna Bergerman (Currently on maternity leave)
Market Intelligence Specialist, Technology & Professional Services Trade Team
Phone: 306-933-6559
Fax: 306-933-6556
e-mail

• Biography

As part of the MI Group, responds to exporting members' need for qualified, actionable international market intelligence. Completes a range of client requests including geographic and sectoral overviews, distribution channel identification, market access and regulatory requirements, trade show and industry publication identification, and competitive intelligence.

Ms. Silvia Fugel
Market Intelligence Analyst, Technology & Professional Services Trade Team
Phone: 306-933-6559
Fax: 306-933-6556
e-mail

As part of the MI Group, responds to exporting members' need for qualified, actionable international market intelligence. Completes a range of client requests including geographic and sectoral overviews, distribution channel identification, market access and regulatory requirements, trade show and industry publication identification, and competitive intelligence.

Mr. Jeff Thackeray
Market Intelligence Specialist, Multi-Sector
Phone: 306-787-4103
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

As part of the MI Group, responds to exporting members' need for qualified, actionable international market intelligence. Under the direction of the Executive Director, Trade Development and MI Specialists, participates in market intelligence activities to advance the interests of Saskatchewan exporters through the provision of timely, accurate information and intelligence for international markets.

Ms. Pat Chobot
Administrative Coordinator, Trade Development
Phone: 306-787-7903
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

Works with the Executive Director, Trade Teams and Emerging Markets Team in the planning, support and development of custom services to members of STEP. Provides program and administrative support for management, trade development specialists and market intelligence specialists. Provides logistical support to the Trade Teams relative to all aspects of trade missions (incoming and outgoing). Administers the STEP Website.

Ms. Angela Weinmeyer
Administrative Coordinator, Trade Development/Market Intelligence
Phone: 306-933-6551
Fax: 306-933-6556
e-mail

Manages the front line, and the day to day functioning of the Saskatoon office. Works closely with and provides assistance in carrying out specific tasks and responsibilities to the Trade Development Team, ensuring quality service to our current members.

Ms. Angela Wasylynka
Director, International Finance & Logistics
Phone: 306-787-3972
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

• Biography

Works one on one with members to ensure that all available financial tools for international trade are understood and utilized to develop and implement export financing strategies. This includes but is not limited to export credit insurance, working capital financing, accounts receivable financing and foreign buyer financing.

Angela manages the marketing and promotion of nextrade finance. In addition to marketing, Angela spends a large portion of her time working individually with prospective and existing clients to develop customized financial solutions to meet their needs.

Mr. Blair Hudyma
Programs & Training Specialist
Phone: 306-787-3223
Fax: 306-933-6556
e-mail

Manages export education and training programs and activities including FITTskills training. Coordinates and aids in the coordination of the Expanding Business Building Capacity – Agri-value Marketing Internship Program, STEP’s National Export Conference, staff information sessions and other export programs.

Ms. Crystal Leader
Administrative Coordinator
Phone: 306-787-9210
Fax: 306-787-6666
e-mail

As the administrative coordinator for the Export Services Group, Ashley is responsible for providing receptionist and general office duties for the Regina STEP office as well as administrative support to the Acting Executive Director, International Finance & Logistics.

Ms. Angela Wojcichowsky
International Projects Officer
Phone: 306-933-6553
Fax: 306-933-6556
e-mail

Reporting to the Director, International Projects, provide administrative assistance and secretarial support to the Director, International Projects in the development and execution of the annual activities undertaken by STEP's International Projects Division.