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, Saskatoon Council on Aging

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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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: 306281.7752  Email: heather@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

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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

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Katherine Lupul, Globe Walk Coordinator

Key responsibilities include:

  • Deliver monthly sessions and activities for participants

  • Track and Record Distances or milestones

  • Communicate with participants regularly

  • Attend meetings to share updates, gather information, and support program alignment.

  • Deliver Presentations to stakeholders, partners, and community groups

  • Support event marketing.

  • Motivate Teams to meet goals, stay engaged, and build community connections.

  • Organize Events, ensuring smooth logistics and positive participant experiences.

  • Contribute to data collection, feedback gathering, and evaluation activities

Phone: 306.200.0646  Email: globewalk@scoa.ca

Virginia Dakiniewich

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