Staff
Meet the Heart and Soul of SCOA
Our staff members are deeply committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of older adults in Saskatoon and across Saskatchewan.
Staff Members
June Gawdun, Executive Director
Key responsibilities include:
· Board Business
· Age-Friendly Community Development Support
· Human Resources
· Grant Applications/Reports
· Evaluation
· Finances/Budgets/Bills/Cheques
· Community Relations
· Equipment Needs
· Policies
· Operational Planning
· Fundraising Events (Zoomer Idol/SOS)
· Risk Management
· Speaker Bureau Presenter
· Sharing tool kit for social programs
· Project support
Phone: 306-652-1332 Email: june@scoa.ca
Kristi Baker, Event/Program Coordinator
Key responsibilities include:
Senior Neighbourhood Hub Club (coordination)
Century Club Coordination (e.g. planning event, organizing taxis)
Pen Pal Coordination (liaison with schools/deliver letters)
Zoomer Idol Coordination (e.g. sponsorships, event planning)
Sharing tool kit for social programs
Phone: 306-652-2255
Email: kristi@scoa.ca
Leslie Macala, Caregiver/Volunteer Coordinator (BSW, RSW)
Key responsibilities include:
· Caregiver Information Centre operations ( consultations, resource navigation, support and follow-up)
· Coordinate Caregiver Cafés, Caregiver Forum, and Caregiver Committee meetings
· Practicum student supervision
· Provincial resource development and SCOA Directory/211 collaboration
· Support research-based initiatives
· Member of the Social Prescribing Steering Committee; supervision of Community Connectors and project reporting
· Volunteer program coordination
Phone: 306-652-4411 Email: leslie@scoa.ca
Kate Pederson, Caregiver Coordinator (BSW, RSW)
Key responsibilities include:
· Lead outreach, advocacy, and stakeholder consultations for the Caregiver Centre.
· Research, Develop and share caregiver-related information and resources with local and provincial stakeholders.
· Represent the Caregiver Centre and advocate at public and industry events.
· Screen and Coordinate research activities and compile data for new initiatives.
· Participate in national caregiver working groups and caregiving related organizations.
· Facilitate Caregiver focus groups.
· Represent the program in research and funder meetings
· Evaluate participant experiences.
· Respond to caregiver inquiries via email, phone and in-person.
Phone: 306-652-2255 Email: kate@scoa.ca
Jennifer White, Community Connector
Key responsibilities include:
·Provide personalized, non-medical support to older adults (55+) to connect them with community resources.
· Manage referrals from healthcare and community partners; maintain strong partner relationships.
· Identify gaps in community services and help strengthen local programs and initiatives.
· Deliver community presentations on social prescribing and caregiving.
· Track outcomes and prepare reports
· Offer informal counselling and resource navigation through the 4411 Caregiver Line and walk-ins.
· Support development of informal social prescribing resources and oversee practicum students assisting with resource gathering.
· Conduct outreach and advocacy
· Participate in Thrive at Home.
· Attend Caregiver Committee meetings and provide updates on organizational activities
Phone: 306-652-2255 Email: jennifer@scoa.ca
Tara Arcand, Housing and Support Coordinator
Key responsibilities include:
Receive referrals exclusively through Coordinated Access (By-Name List).
· Complete intake, basic needs assessment, and begin navigation with referred clients.
· Assist clients with housing applications
· Coordinate transportation for housing viewings and appointments.
· Provide 4–6 weeks of post-placement follow-up to support housing stability.
· Coordinate a small support team for each client.
· Maintain accurate case notes and contribute to program tools and evaluation.
· Provide on-site support at hospitals for seniors at risk of homelessness.
· Support delivery of life-skills workshops
· Collaborate with community partners to improve service coordination.
· Practice trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and culturally safe approaches.
Phone: 306-652-2255 Email: tara@scoa.ca
Heather Buffalo, Housing and Support Navigator
Key responsibilities include:
Receive referrals exclusively through Coordinated Access (By-Name List).
· Complete intake, basic needs assessment, and begin navigation with referred clients.
· Assist clients with housing applications
· Coordinate transportation for housing viewings and appointments.
· Provide 4–6 weeks of post-placement follow-up to support housing stability.
· Coordinate a small support team for each client.
· Maintain accurate case notes and contribute to program tools and evaluation.
· Provide on-site support at Hospitals for seniors at risk of homelessness.
· Support delivery of life-skills workshops
· Collaborate with community partners to improve service coordination.
· Practice trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and culturally safe approaches.
Phone: 306-652-2255 Email: tara@scoa.ca
Debbie Brown, Law Clinic Coordinator
Key responsibilities include:
·Lead the planning and coordination of legal information workshops in collaboration with legal professionals and community organizations.
· Oversee the implementation of the program’s evaluation plan, including administering pre- and post-program surveys to assess outcomes.
· Maintain a roster of community facilitators; ensure effective communication/scheduling of workshops.
· Collaborate with legal community and resources to integrate relevant legal information into the program.
Phone: 306-652-2255 Email: debbie@scoa.ca
Carol Abalos, Assistant Coordinator
Key responsibilities include:
Membership – data entry and send membership receipt
· Donations – Data entry and send donation receipt
· iPad library intake/track loans
· Admin Support – Housing Project, Law Clinic
· Ordering Supplies
· Reception Coverage
· Tracking stats for calls/walk-ins to Centre
· Registration for events, courses
· Keep pamphlet racks stocked
Phone: 306-652-2255 Email: carol@scoa.ca
Virginia Dakiniewich, Fund Development and Communication Coordinator
(B.A. Pol Sci, Diploma – Public Relations)
Key responsibilities include:
Communications
SCOA website
Social edia
Community presentations
Media Relations
Publications [Coming of Age, eNews]
Directory of Services and Social Activities for Older Adults
Marketing and Promotion
Advertising
Fund Development:
Donor relations and engagement
Grant writing support
Online fundraising
Lifelong Learning Programming
Phone: 306-652-0149 Email: virginia@scoa.ca