PowerUp Summit

As a career-long innovator and intrapreneur, Patrick Gill has founded five national projects designed to help Canadian businesses compete and prosper globally. Among these projects, Patrick co-founded the Canadian Chamber’s Business Data Lab (BDL) to democratize data for decision-making and to advance the country’s understanding of Canadian business conditions and trends. Patrick’s experience has firmly established him as a thought leader often featured in media and think tank publications. Most recently, Patrick authored a study for the BDL on business adoption of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) called “Prompting Productivity.” Patrick holds a master’s in public policy and an Advanced Certificate in Public Administration and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Brendan King is the innovative force behind Vendasta. Responsible for providing the vision, thought leadership, and business strategy, it is Brendan’s ability to focus on the big picture while maintaining quality on the finest details that drives Vendasta’s success. Prior to starting the company, Brendan has many business ventures, including a computer chain which was nationally franchised and was the entrepreneurial force behind Point2 Agent, a real estate software company, where he grew its membership to more than 185,000 agents and brokers in 85 countries. He was named one of the Top 50 Saas CEOs by the Software Report in 2019. Brendan and Vendasta are almost synonymous. Both are governed by four core values: Drive, innovation, respect and agility. Brendan is extremely passionate about upholding these values while helping Vendasta on its path of becoming the #1 platform for selling digital solutions to local businesses.

Barb Stefanyshyn-Coté, MSc, NSch, P.Ag, is the co-founder and CEO of Black Fox Farm and Distillery, crafting award-winning ultra-premium gins and whiskies that encapsulate Saskatchewan’s unique terroir.  Black Fox spirits can be found around the globe from Canada to the UK, Europe, China and most recently, Dubai. Guests are welcomed to the distillery for an immersive experience with year-round tastings, tours and events.  Visitors can also enjoy handpicking pumpkins or buckets of flowers from the farms’ abundant fields.

Prior to Black Fox, Barb and John were celebrated as Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.  They successfully led Lumec Farms, a 5000-acre grain and oilseed farm, and co-owned North Sask Agro, a bulk fuel and fertilizer dealership. Barb is a proud University of Saskatchewan alumna and has been awarded the prestigious Nuffield Agricultural Scholarship.

Her contributions to agriculture and community initiatives have been recognized with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal and an honourary life membership from the Saskatchewan Ag Grads Association. Barb serves on numerous local, provincial, and national boards, championing both agricultural advancements and community development.

Jayar La Fontaine guides organizations toward the future by blending the imaginative realm of science fiction with the precision of strategic analysis. His expertise has assisted clients in envisioning diverse futures, from scenarios where aging is conquered to worlds where automation dominates and global connectivity extends to every object.

Formerly, Jayar held the role of VP of Foresight at Cognizant until 2020. During his tenure, he led the assembly of Canada’s largest team of futurists. Before that, he served as Resident Futurist at InteraXon, a Toronto-based startup renowned for developing Muse, the first consumer-grade brain-sensing headband for enhancing mindfulness and sleep.

Jayar’s clientele spans various global industries, including healthcare, banking, consumer goods, energy, real estate, education, electronics, and information technology. He also advises startups exploring cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and advanced medical imaging.

Jayar holds an MA in Philosophy from McMaster University and an MDes in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University. He shares his knowledge by teaching foresight methodologies at institutions like the Rotman School of Business, the Monterrey Center for Higher Learning of Design, and the International Space University.

Samantha Luker is the MentorAbility Coordinator for Northern Saskatchewan. MentorAbility is a national awareness project funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities through the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE).

MentorAbility is a national network of employers, mentors, mentees, and service providers who believe that short-term mentorships can be transformational on a personal level and promote increased employment for Canadians experiencing disabilities.

Job seekers with disabilities exchange knowledge and insights with professionals working in their field of interest. Each mentorship is tailored to meet the needs of both the mentee and mentor, and it is facilitated by the MentorAbility Coordinator. The goal is for the mentor and mentee to meet for as little as one hour to a full day.

Originally from Moose Jaw, Samantha moved to Saskatoon in 2017. She has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry and holds a Diploma in Business Administration from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Having supervised and managed people for most of her career, she has significant experience in event planning and execution. Samantha attributes her success to understanding how people function, being aware of their needs, and most importantly, showing compassion. With a passion for learning, she eagerly seeks out opportunities to expand her knowledge and understanding of both people and the world.

Jeph Maystruck has an absolute disregard for the status quo, regularly challenging traditional thinking in his keynotes on marketing and social media. As the founder of StratLab, a digital marketing company founded in Regina, he leads with creativity and passion and hands out lottery tickets daily. Outside of his StratLab life, Jeph co-founded Big Idea Camp, coached volleyball for 9 years, and he has taught marketing at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and social media at the University of Regina. A prolific creator, he has published over 100 songs on SoundCloud under his DJ name, DJ Clumsy Vegetarian. However, his proudest accomplishment by far is being a father to his two wild kids, aged three and six.

Since joining the team in 1996, JoeAnne Hardy has had the privilege to work in and be part of building a very special organization….WBM Technologies.

Her career at WBM has spanned over 28 years across every aspect of the WBM operation, focusing on building world class operations through WBM’s many stages of growth and multiple acquisitions.  Today, WBM’s five offices across Western Canada employ over 500 team members and serve the information technology needs of hundreds of organizations, supporting tens of thousands of end users with world class support services.

JoeAnne served multiple terms as North American president for the Trust X Alliance, a leading IT industry association, which created a unique opportunity to build strong relationships and lifelong friendships across the IT industry.  JoeAnne has been honored to be recognized by CDN Magazine as one of the top 10 women in IT in Canada and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Saskatchewan Blue Cross.

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, JoeAnne now spends her time across Western Canada working with customers and WBM’s teams in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.  JoeAnne loves spending time with family, especially planning big adventures with her husband Bob and their three fearless grandchildren.

Mathew Cey has 19 years of experience in business development, entrepreneurship and leading teams. He co-founded Morris Interactive in 2003 and leads the growth of the consulting firm today. Operating on the core value that investments in people and relationships are what drive growth and success, the firm provides leadership development, strategic planning, business development, human resources, governance, facilitation, training, consulting and advisory services.

As the CEO of Morris Interactive, Mathew leads the development of a team that serves multiple industries including Agriculture, Indigenous, Mining, Oil and Gas, Industrial, Financial Services, Government, Healthcare, and non-profit organizations. His team has worked with over 130 First Nations and Métis organizations, building relationships and connecting communities with industry and opportunities.

He is actively involved in community organizations like the NSBA and the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, and he volunteers his time as a head coach in female hockey and softball. Involved in athletics throughout his life, Mathew incorporates values of fairness, teambuilding, inclusion, perseverance and respect into everything he does. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing from the University of Saskatchewan. Mathew is new to the STEP board and will be serving on the Human Resources and Compensation committee. Mathew achieved his ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Business in 2023.

Scott Bahr is the President and CEO of Bit Service, a successful Saskatchewan manufacturing, distribution and servicing company focused on supporting the Saskatchewan potash and Canadian natural resources industry. Scott started with Bit Service in 2001 in a technical service role and later as Sales Manager, he then took over the position as President and CEO in early 2018. He has a passion for problem solving and assisting customers in tackling production and reliability related maintenance issues, of which the Canadian mining industry provides a perfect platform. In his current role he oversees stakeholder relations and business development, transforming the company’s strategic goals to align with the need for diversity to maintain sustainability, as well as developing a strong position in its community impact standpoint. Scott has a background as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist through Saskatchewan Polytechnic and is a strong supporter of growing the future workforce in our trades and technical disciplines. Scott is an active volunteer in the community in both an economic and community supporting role. He currently serves on the board of directors of SIMSA in the role as Vice Chair, as well as on the board of directors of Saskatoon Interval House.

Ashlee Langlois was appointed the CEO / Registrar for CPHR Saskatchewan and started in the role on July 8, 2024.

Since 2006, Ashlee has worked in many areas of Human Resources, including organizational development, recruitment, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Prior to joining CPHR Saskatchewan, she was the Executive Manager of Human Resources at Farm Credit Canada (FCC) where she supported the HR division with strategic and operational leadership.

Ashlee holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Business Administration (HR) from the University of Regina. She completed her Masters of Applied Industrial Organizational Psychology from Colorado State University. She holds her designation as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and recently achieved the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) designation from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

W. Brett Wilson is well known for being a “fan-favourite” on CBC’s hit reality TV show Dragons’ Den where he established himself as the all time lead deal-making “dragon.”  That said, he is better known as a Saskatchewan born entrepreneur and philanthropist. Brett co-founded FirstEnergy Capital Corp. in 1993 – which went on to become Canada’s leading energy investment bank.  He has also gone on to develop extensive holdings in the energy, real estate, agriculture, sports and entertainment industries. Brett continues to simplify and organize his life to focus on what is most important – his health, his family, and his friends.

Bryan McCrea is a community-minded business leader who co-founded 3twenty Modular with a goal of redefining the construction process. Bryan has a decade of experience building collaborative teams with the goal of providing win-win relationships and fun projects for owners.

Bryan appeared on CBC’s hit TV show Dragons’ Den, where 3twenty successfully slayed the dragons, gaining W. Brett Wilson as a partner. Since then, 3twenty has built over 1000 buildings for educational, commercial, industrial, and residential market in all corners of Canada. 3twenty has built a reputation of innovation, trust, and collaboration.

Bryan is a graduate of the Edwards School of Business and is a CPA CMA. Bryan is married to Carmen, a high school teacher, and is a proud father to Foster, Lincoln, Pearson and Tilly.

Quantity: 1

Investment: $25,000

• Logo/name recognition on virtually all promotional graphics, day-of-signage, formal invitations, advertisements, etc.
• Enhanced listing on the SCC Member Directory for the length of the sponsorship.

PLUS

• Opportunity to provide opening remarks to the audience (2 minutes).
• Dedicated booth space in the networking area.
• Recognition as Presenting Sponsor in all event communications.
• Company logo on signage at the event.
• Verbal recognition as Presenting Sponsor throughout the event.
• Opportunity to provide promotional items to attendees.
• Opportunity to display banner (provided by sponsor) in a premium location at the event.
• Premium full-page company feature in the event program (logo and 200-word description).
• One (1) banner advertisement in SCC’s monthly e-newsletter (circulation 1700+).
• 16 VIP conference passes (2 tables) to the event.
• 16 tickets to PowerUp Connect (Networking Reception) the evening prior.

Quantity: 3

Investment: $10,000

• Logo recognition on event webpage.
• Enhanced listing on the SCC Member Directory for the length of the sponsorship.

PLUS

• Opportunity to introduce a workshop speaker (2 minutes).
• Company logo displayed prominently on the event website and select marketing materials.
• Company logo and 100-word description in event program.
• Company logo on signage at the event.
• Verbal recognition as Summit Champion throughout the event.
• Opportunity to display banner (to be provided by sponsor) in an elevated location at the event.
• Eight (8) VIP conference passes (1 table) to the event.
• Eight (8) tickets to PowerUp Connect (Networking Reception).

*PowerUp Connect is a networking reception the evening prior to the powerup summit on Monday, october 28, open to all attendees.

Quantity: 1

Investment: $10,000

• Logo recognition on event webpage.
• Enhanced listing on the SCC Member Directory for the length of the sponsorship.

PLUS

• Company logo displayed on the event website and select marketing materials.
• Company logo displayed on marketing materials related to PowerUp Connect.
• Company logo in event program.
• Company logo on signage at the event and at PowerUp Connect.
• Verbal recognition throughout the event.
• Opportunity to display banner (provided by sponsor) in the networking area at the event.
• Eight (8) VIP conference passes (1 table) to the event.
• Eight (8) tickets to PowerUp Connect (Networking Reception).

Quantity: 3

Investment: $6,500

• Logo recognition on event webpage.
• Enhanced listing on the SCC Member Directory for the length of the sponsorship.

PLUS

• Company logo displayed on the event website and select marketing materials.
• Company logo in event program.
• Company logo on signage at the event.
• Verbal recognition throughout the event.
• Opportunity to display banner (provided by sponsor) in the networking area at the event.
• Eight (8) VIP conference passes (1 table) to the event.
• Eight (8) tickets to PowerUp Connect (Networking Reception).

Quantity: 3

Investment: $5,000

• Logo recognition on event webpage.
• Enhanced listing on the SCC Member Directory for the length of the sponsorship.

PLUS

• Company logo displayed on the event website and select marketing materials.
• Company logo in event program.
• Company logo on signage at the event.
• Verbal recognition throughout the event.
• Opportunity to display banner (provided by sponsor) in the networking area at the event.
• Two (2) conference passes to the event.
• Two (2) tickets to PowerUp Connect (Networking Reception).

Quantity: 1

Investment: $3,000

• Logo recognition on event webpage.
• Enhanced listing on the SCC Member Directory for the length of the sponsorship.

PLUS

• Company logo displayed on the event website.
• Company logo in event program.
• Company logo on signage at the event.
• Verbal recognition throughout the event.
• Opportunity to display banner (provided by sponsor) in the networking area at the event.
• One (1) conference pass to the event.
• One (1) ticket to PowerUp Connect (Networking Reception).