Board of Directors
Meet the Leadership Team
Executive and Committee Chairs
Joan Cochrane
President
Joan graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1984. She worked at City Hospital for eight years across various departments, with six of those years spent in the pharmacy. Since 1984, she has been actively involved in community pharmacy. Her vision for pharmacy goes beyond merely dispensing pills; she aims to provide pharmaceutical care services. Her primary focus as a pharmacist is to ensure patients receive the maximum benefits from their prescriptions while minimizing adverse side effects.
Joan is an avid runner in her leisure time and has even participated in triathlons. Notably, she achieved victory in both the Saskatchewan and Manitoba Marathon. She also boasts a place in the top 10 on the Huskie Tracklist for the 3000m event.
Joan is a proud mother of two grown children and has been happily married for 30 years.
Bill Brooks
Chair, Communication Committee
Throughout his 40-year career, Dr. Bill Brooks has led and managed research and development teams, implementation teams and small organizations in fields ranging from space research, scientific instrumentation development and educational programming supporting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Bill was responsible for the creation and direction of a science centre in Saskatoon, has written several scholarly articles associated with Space and Microgravity Science, and holds a patent for a component of a breakthrough industrial instrument. He was awarded Industry Canada’s national Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion in 1997 and was named an Educator of Distinction by the Saskatoon Preschool Foundation in 2006.
Bill owns Eclecthink, a corporate development company focusing on improving individual and organizational innovation, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities through presentations, coaching and workshop/seminar facilitation.
Bill was recognized as the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year in 2011, where he has served as both a Board and Committee Member and is the past Chair of the Future Opportunities Committee. He is also an alumnus and long-term volunteer with Leadership Saskatoon, where he has shared his skills and expertise as a board member, mentor and facilitator for over ten years. In 2019, Bill received the Don Ravis - Leadership Saskatoon Alumni Award.
Sharon Dixon
Chair, Finance and Fundraising Committee
Sharon holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1974), a Bachelor of Arts (1988) and a Masters in Nursing (1997), all from the University of Saskatchewan. Sharon began her career in rural community health, worked nine years in acute care and spent the last 33 years in nursing education at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, formerly SIAST. Throughout her career, Sharon served on many committees and participated in several projects and working groups. She sat on the Saskatchewan Nurses Foundation board for four years, the last year as President.
During the last several years of employment, Sharon focused on building cultural competence in the curriculum, specifically with indigenous people in the community. She was a founding member of Kindred Spirits, a group committed to indigenizing the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Sharon retired from her 44-year nursing career in 2018. In retirement, Sharon enjoys traveling, working with stained glass, playing bridge and spending time with family and friends.
Lorraine Holtslander
Chair, Caregiver Committee
Lorraine is a Registered Nurse and a Professor at the College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan and received certification as a Hospice Palliative Care Nurse from the Canadian Nurses Association. Lorraine worked in the community as a home care nurse for more than 20 years, most of those years in palliative home care, before returning to university for her Master's and Ph.D. in Nursing.
As a faculty member at the University of Saskatchewan, Lorraine's research focuses on supporting family caregivers (primarily in providing end-of-life care) and considering how their caregiving experiences will affect their journey through grief and bereavement. She has obtained research funding and published numerous articles throughout her career, including support for developing writing interventions to assist bereaved caregivers.
Lorraine's work with SCOA has spanned many years, serving on the Caregiver Committee of the Saskatoon Council on Aging since 2005. She looks forward to continuing to develop support for caregivers across the province.
Lorraine is a member of the community garden and enjoys staying active outside. She and her husband, Gordon, have three grown children and two grandchildren.
Sharon Siuksteris
Chair, Spotlight on Seniors, Seniors Neighbourhood Hub Club
Sharon has worked in health care for over 25 years as a Food Service Manager. She completed her undergraduate degree at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and a dietetic internship at the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
A stay-at-home mother for eight years, Sharon resumed her career in food service management at Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford in 1993. In 2000, she began working in food service management at the Saskatoon Health Authority until retiring in 2016. While working and raising three children, Sharon obtained her Adult Education certificate and completed the 10-month Leadership Saskatoon program.
Sharon has spent her retirement participating in activities and organizations where she feels she can make a difference. She has served on her condo board for five years as president and has been a board member for the Canadian Condominium Institute, North Saskatchewan Chapter, for the last three years.
Sharon has volunteered with SCOA as a Mayfair Hub Club committee member and has been the Spotlight on Seniors committee chair since 2019. She is looking forward to the new challenges that lay ahead!
Brian Heinz
Treasurer
Brian started work in a cafeteria, zinc smelter and as a diamond driller in northern Manitoba. A fast career change into computer technology has resulted in a diverse background of information management experience in planning, design, system development, programming, analysis, solution implementation, geographic information systems, drafting, educator, health services, mining, banking, strategic planning, policy and audit.
After 50 years, Brian chose to officially ‘retire’ as a certified Information Systems Professional of Canada (I.S.P.) with internationally recognized Information Technology Certified Professional (ITCP) designation, while still acting as General Manager of WesternIM, a local information management consulting company. Brian takes great pleasure in applying his skills and knowledge and team research to resolve information management situations with a diverse group of private and public organizations.
I have been fortunate to learn about people and cultures through travel to many countries and hope to visit many more in the coming years, when not enjoying the outdoors at our northern cabin.
Brian has enjoyed many years as a board member with Lawson Heights Community Association and Canadian Diabetes Association in our community and is now embarking on a new journey with SCOA.
Members at Large
Sandy Campbell
Sandy has cherished life with his wife, Bev and daughters Erin, Ashley, and Ainsley for the past thirty-eight years. Officially retired, Sandy looks forward to spending more time with his family, including his two grandchildren, Jack and Brooke. In his spare time, Sandy enjoys playing the bagpipes and guitar, gardening, going to the YMCA, cooking, and riding his motorcycle (when the weather is nice).
Sandy has worked with various businesses in a Sales and Management role, where he learned the value of providing people with positive and ethical solutions. Most recently, Sandy was the Community Sales Director at Primrose Chateau, where he gained an insight into the lives of the residents and the struggles that come during the latter part of life. Sandy believes that taking care of the little things in life goes a long way in helping people with their challenges and looks forward to joining the SCOA Board of Directors.
Audrey Lipka
Audrey completed her Registered Nurse diploma at Regina Grey Nuns School of Nursing. Following her certification, she completed a Postgraduate Psychiatric Nursing course at Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan.
Beginning employment at the University Hospital on the Psychiatric unit, Audrey transferred to a Community Psychiatric Nursing position after a year and a half. She remained in this position for over thirty years and retired as a Community Mental Health Nurse in 2012.
During her career, Audrey was involved with the Canadian Union of Public Employees [CUPE] and Saskatchewan Union of Nurses [SUN], serving as Local President for many years. Throughout her work, Audrey had the opportunity to mentor many students and care for several older adults on her caseload. A passionate mental health advocate, she volunteered with the Canadian Mental Health Association for many years and currently serves as a member of the Saskatchewan Review Board.
Elaine Lozinski
Elaine Lozinski is a Final Affair consultant, speaker, and author of Just in Case: Final Affair Arrangements. She is a Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) and a member of the Saskatoon Estate Planning Council. Elaine uses a practical approach to address getting affairs in order, for emergency, incapacity, end of life and other support needs.
A planner by nature, Elaine strives to bring clarity to the overwhelming world of final affairs. Her goals are to educate, prepare and empower people to make their own decisions - before something happens.
Elaine has lived all over Saskatchewan but has called Saskatoon home for the last twenty years. When she is not busy working, Elaine can usually be found with her husband, her dog, and at least one of their six grown children at their family cabin, enjoying the northern Saskatchewan landscape.
Mavis McPhee
Mavis worked in various roles with several organizations during her career, generally working in the non-profit sector. Her employers include a child and youth treatment centre, hospital, schools, daycares, developmental centres, and community-based non-profit organizations.
As a dedicated volunteer, Mavis actively contributed to various organizations, including the Adelaide Park-Churchill Community Association, Hugh Cairns VC School Parent Council, the Saskatoon Adlerian Society, Nutana Collegiate Alumni, and the Women’s Midlife Health Centre. On a national level, Mavis served as the Saskatchewan representative for the National Weaving Literacy Project and represented the province at two CAPC/CPNP National Think Tanks.
Mavis received prestigious recognition for her contributions. In 2008, she was honoured with the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the Education category. In 2010, she received the Saskatchewan Literacy Award of Merit – Professional Designation Award.
Mavis retired in 2015 and currently volunteers with the Prairie Hospice Society, St. Martins United Church, and Leadership Saskatoon. Mavis enjoys spending time with family (especially her young grandsons), reading, working in her yard, relaxing at the cottage, traveling, and staying involved in the community.
Ketan Mann
Ketan is a student at the University of Saskatchewan pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Originally born in West Flanders, Belgium, she moved to Regina at the age of 4.
After completing her high school education at Luther College High School in Regina, she movedto Burnaby and attended Simon Fraser University. In September 2023, she moved to Saskatoon and began her second year at the University of Saskatchewan. After her degree, she hopes toget into medical school to further her education.
Outside of studies, Ketan volunteers at the university’s Women's Center, as well as being a member of the Arts and Science Union. She also volunteers at care homes such as Central Haven and Sherbrooke. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her friends, playing soccer, and watching Formula 1.
Ketan is very excited to join the SCOA board and help older adults in the community. She seeks to bridge the gap between younger and older adults through education and communication.
Dr. Vivian Puplampu
Vivian migrated from Ghana, West Africa, to the University of Alberta as a graduate student. She is a Certified Gerontological Nurse and an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Regina.
Before joining the university in 2016, Vivian worked as a Registered Nurse in long-term care facilities in Edmonton for five years while completing her doctoral studies at the University of Alberta.
Vivian has a wealth of academic and clinical expertise in gerontology and extensive methodological expertise in qualitative research. She has collaborated with SCOA on projects on older adults, which includes a University of Regina Humanities and Research Institute-funded project to explore the impact of older adults' living environment on their healthy aging during the pandemic.
Vivian is currently the primary investigator on a funded SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant (PEG), with SCOA as the partner organization, to explore the social capital of older Black adults in Saskatoon during the pandemic. She is also a co-investigator on a national project exploring the experiences of older adults living in co-housing communities in Canada during COVID-19.
Vivian loves working with older adults and is very happy to join the SCOA board to continue advocating for older adult populations.
Erin Yakiwchuk
Erin is an Assistant Professor in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan. She is a pharmacist with advanced training and certification in geriatrics. Erin has worked as a pharmacist with the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Program at Saskatoon City Hospital since 2013 and loves working with older adults and the interprofessional team there.
Erin is also a passionate educator, hoping to inspire and support the next generation of pharmacists to provide exemplary patient care to older adults. Erin has served and continues to serve on many committees and councils related to pharmacy practice and education within the College, as well as with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals, Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists-Saskatchewan branch, and Pharmacists Association of Saskatchewan.
Erin was born and raised in Saskatoon and is proud to be now raising her family here as well. Outside of work, her interests include cheering, coaching, managing her kids in various activities, travelling, running, and spending as much time as possible outside.
Erin is very excited to join the SCOA board and support the health and well-being of older adults in our community.