Board of Directors
Meet the Leadership Team
Executive and Committee Chairs
Sharon Dixon, President
Chair, Finance and Fundraising Committee, Governance 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.
Bill Brooks, Vice-President
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.
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.
Sharon Siuksteris
Chair, Spotlight on Seniors
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!
Members at Large
Vic Dubois
Vic Dubois served as General Manager at Saskatoon Media Group since 1990, and is now semi-retired after a long and respected career in broadcasting. Alongside professional work, he remains deeply involved in community and industry organizations. He currently serves as President of the Saskatoon Secret Santa Foundation, Treasurer of the Saskatchewan Association of Broadcasters, and an Adjudicator for the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.
Over the years, he held leadership roles across a wide range of organizations, including serving as Past-President of the Saskatchewan Association of Broadcasters, Western Association of Broadcasters, TCU Place, Prairieland Park, Tourism Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Club, Saskatoon Rotary Club, and the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Summer Festival. He was also a Director with the Canadian Forces Saskatchewan Liaison Council.
His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022), induction into both the Western and Saskatchewan Associations of Broadcasters Halls of Fame, and the Tourism Leadership Award from Tourism Saskatoon (2013). He received an Honorary Life Membership from the Lions Foundation of Canada (2012), a Certificate of Distinguished Community Service from the City of Saskatoon (2008), and the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (2005)
Lorraine Holtslander
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.
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.
Debbie McGraw
Debbie McGraw is the Case Manager Lead at The Salvation Army, bringing extensive experience in housing support and advocacy. Her past roles include Housing Case Manager with The Salvation Army, COVID-19 Housing Case Manager with SHIP, and Housing Locator with Housing First Saskatoon at The Lighthouse.
Committed to social justice and lived experience leadership, Debbie currently serves on the boards of SHIP and Canada Without Poverty Advocacy Network, and co-chairs the Canadian Lived Experience Leadership Network. She are also a former Co-Chair and Secretary of the Saskatoon Anti-Poverty Coalition. Her work reflects a deep commitment to housing equity and community-driven change.
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.
Kacey Vooght
Originally from Swift Current, Kacey moved to Saskatoon to attend the University of Saskatchewan in 2006 where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Public Administration.
Following university, Kacey worked for the provincial government in administrative and communication roles, before joining SaskTel’s Business Sales team as a Proposal Coordinator.
Kacey has always had an interest in community building. Her volunteer and governance experience includes roles with The Princess Shop, the Nutana Community Association Executive, the SaskTel Bridge City Pioneers Board, and Pro-Bono Students Canada. Kacey is currently board co-chair of the Maria Montessori Preschool, a regulated childcare facility centre.
In 2021, Kacey decided to return to university and enrolled in the College of Law. Having recently completed the final requirements for her law degree, she begins articling with the Leland Kimpinski law firm in May. After being introduced to the Saskatoon Council on Aging through topics in an Elder Law seminar course, Kacey is looking forward to learning more about the variety of contributions and programming SCOA makes to Saskatoon.
Kacey and her husband, Matthew, live in the River Heights neighbourhood with their four-year old twin sons, Henry and Haskell.
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.