The WESK team brings extensive knowledge and first-hand entrepreneurial experience to help you start, develop, lead and grow your business. With offices in Regina and Saskatoon and with rural ambassadors around the province, our team is passionate about connecting you with the advice, network, training and tools you need to succeed.
Meet the team committed to making your dreams a reality.
As the Chief Executive Officer of WESK, Miriam has a strong passion and commitment to enabling Saskatchewan to flourish. Equipped with a growth-focused mindset and diverse experience across multiple sectors, she is well-positioned to lead WESK’s team towards achieving its mission of closing the gender entrepreneurship gap.
If you ask Miriam what she is most excited about regarding the future of WESK, she will share how inspiring it is to be part of an organization driving for and seeing progressive change. She recognizes the daily challenges women entrepreneurs face and believes supporting women is integral to building a stronger Saskatchewan. With her diverse professional background and experience in many sectors that span both the private and public sectors, including time as an entrepreneur while she was raising her children, she is bringing a wealth of knowledge and fresh thinking to WESK.
While Miriam’s background spans multiple disciplines, it also spans multiple countries. She was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, in the United States, transitioned to Germany for a year, and finally found herself on Canadian soil – where she started her career and family. There are a few common denominators in Miriam’s career: her community-minded leadership, her growth-focused mindset, and her strong penchant for giving back.
When Miriam isn’t advancing the entrepreneurial landscape in Saskatchewan, she dedicates herself to other noteworthy causes. She is an engaged member of the Saskatchewan Business Council, championing women entrepreneurs provincially and also a member of the University of Regina Leaders Council. Additionally, Miriam lends her expertise to the Women Enterprises of Canada Board, advocating on a national scale. Her leadership extends in other ways through volunteering roles, such as Vice-Chair, Sponsorship, for the 2022 Saskatchewan and on the Volunteer Host Organizing Committee for the 2022 Grey Cup.
Beyond her professional engagements, Miriam is a proud mother to three wonderful children, Eli, Eden, and Emerson, and one fur baby, a chocolate Labradoodle named Jasper. If Miriam is away from the WESK office, you will most likely find her in the comfort of her home being a short-order cook for her family or in an ice rink around Regina.
Cara joined the WESK team as a business advisor in June 2020. She is a serial entrepreneur, having owned and operated multiple businesses since 2001. Her role includes working with entrepreneurs at all stages of development and connecting them with the resources they need to thrive. She believes in being kind, honest, and helpful in all aspects of her life, and loves helping WESK members put their big ideas to life.
Cara enjoys golfing and pretending she isn’t cold in the winter. Something you may not know about Cara – she is a past President of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women.
As the Program & Growth Manager at WESK, Jessica brings over six years of experience in entrepreneurship and a deep commitment to empowering women and gender non-conforming individuals on their business journeys.
Jessica, along with her wife and two children, made a life-changing move in August 2022 to be closer to her in-laws and embrace the serenity of Lake-Life at Last Mountain Lake her is SK. The picturesque surroundings and family-focused values resonate in Jessica’s approach to both personal and professional life.
Jessica’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2017, providing her with a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs that entrepreneurs face. Known for her visionary mindset, Jessica can see the entire landscape of a goal, allowing for prompt project completion and a focus on innovative solutions.
In her role as Program & Growth Manager, Jessica leads with influencing and strategic thinking, fostering collaboration and a growth mindset within the team. Her expertise lies in designing and delivering effective training and programming, a skill honed through years of experience working with diverse entrepreneurs.
Passionate about gender equality in entrepreneurship, Jessica is on a mission to make a positive impact for women entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan. Her leadership proficiency is marked by qualities such as change embracement, emotional intelligence, and a proactive approach to work.
Michael Betteridge is a results-oriented and innovative professional with nearly a decade of experience in the fields of marketing and digital media. As a skilled communicator creative and problem-solver, Michael has consistently delivered successful campaigns, strategy and solutions for various organizations.
He has held a senior leadership position with a hypergrowth real estate and property management organization, marketed for one of the largest audience engagement agencies in Canada, as well as provided business development and marketing support for a local digital agency. His ability to think outside the box and approach challenges with a creative mindset has made him a valuable asset to the companies he has worked with.
In addition to his professional experience, Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from the University of Regina. He is a successful digital marketer with extensive knowledge of the latest digital marketing tools and trends, as well as a connector of people through a collaborative leadership style.
In his spare time, he leads fitness classes, manages his own non-profit for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and spoils his two fur babies, Murphy and Oliver.
As a Business and Human Resources Advisor, Amanda brings a variety of experience with a focus on HR best practises, recruitment and retention, and general business strategy. Amanda’s passion is helping others by identifying their challenges and opportunities and creating action plans to make meaningful and impactful progress. She is excited to learn about client’s business ideas and help them move from feasibility to start up and beyond.
When she’s not helping to grow dreams and teams, Amanda is a food, travel and animal lover.
Olu joined WESK in May 2021 as a Lending Advisor. She has 17 years financial institution experience that cuts across customer service, accounting, business advisory, credit analysis and business development. Her understanding of both entrepreneur uniqueness and risk management helps her in assessing financial and non-financial information for decision making. She is a member of ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Ilorin.
She loves music, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family in Saskatoon.
Chinwe joined WESK in April 2023 as a Lending Advisor. She has 15 years’ work experience in the financial industry that cuts across customer service, relationship management, business development and financial advisory.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in business administration.
She enjoys trying out new things, meeting new people, solving problems and learning.
With her spare time, she loves to explore new shops, cooking, reading novels, writing, travelling, and spending time with her family.
As WESK’s project coordinator, Brittany’s main project is The Exchange, a new program aimed at helping women entrepreneurs scale-up their business. Brittany is responsible for planning all aspects of The Exchange including meetings, workshops, training, and mentoring sessions. You can also see her at many of the Regina events!
Brittany brings almost 10 years of financial industry experience to WESK with a strong background in consumer lending. She holds a Certificate in Business Administration specializing in Financial Services from Assiniboine Community College
When Brittany is not at the office, you can find her on the golf course, travelling or spending time with her friends and family playing cards.
Alauna joined the WESK team in April 2023. As a creative entrepreneur, she brings nearly a decade of experience with e-commerce, retail product development, manufacturing, production, export, shipping and fulfillment, product packaging, sales, and marketing.
Before embarking on her own business ventures, Alauna worked in both potash and uranium mines doing quality control, quality assurance, and special projects. She holds a diploma in Chemical Technology from Sask Polytechnic.
Alauna enjoys spending her free time at the lake with her two sons, husband, pets, and large extended family. She also loves coffee dates with friends and studying astrology.
Tally Dufour is a trusted resource in the business-support landscape, bringing over ten years of experience working with and advising entrepreneurs. In addition to formal business education, she values any and all opportunities to learn – which has led to her going down a rabbit hole or two!
She has owned and operated two businesses and can relate to the struggles and celebrations of the entrepreneurial journey. If it isn’t already apparent, Tally embodies the term “entrepreneurial spirit” and enjoys inspiring others in this sphere. Her resourcefulness and ability to connect make for incredibly memorable and insightful meetings.
Tally was born and raised in the Land of the Living Skies, where she takes pride in raising her sons. If she isn’t assisting women entrepreneurs to start, grow, and scale, you can find her being crafty and taking on new adventures.
She is a big believer in community and standing up for the underdog!
Emma is the first point of contact for WESK clients in her role as Operations Support. She provides administrative support across the organization, including the Board of Directors, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
Emma graduated from LaSalle College in Montreal with a diploma in Fashion Marketing and completed a post-graduate internship at a wholesale fashion company in New York City. With around five years of experience in digital marketing, encompassing digital advertising, social media management, and email marketing, she has a diverse professional background. She also worked as a Producers’ Assistant and Personal Assistant to the creator of Little Mosque on the Prairie, Zarqa Nawaz on the CBC Gem web series, ZARQA.
Born and raised in Regina, Emma joined the WESK team after moving back to Saskatchewan in 2024. She has several years of experience teaching competitive and recreational dance classes. Emma enjoys crafting with friends, spending quality time with her family, travelling, and getting invested in new TV series and movies. She is passionate about making a tangible impact in her community and breaking barriers for women in business.
Jaimie joined the WESK team in March 2022. She worked for a local entrepreneur for three years which helped her gain knowledge in the small business realm. Her education includes an Office Administration Certificate from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. As WESK’s Operations Support, she acts as an air traffic controller keeping her hands in each department and assisting where necessary.
Jaimie lives in Regina with her boyfriend, dog (Maverick), and cat (Mister). When she isn’t at work, she enjoys fishing, reading, and getting to the mountains as often as possible. She is also a sports fan and loves to attend live games as much as she can.
Stephanie joined the WESK team in September 2021. She brings over 9 years of programming experience, working for various non-profit organizations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Her education includes a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Studies and a Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Regina. As the Special Programs Coordinator, she assists with WESK’s various programs, services, and events. Stephanie is passionate about helping others reach their true potential and is excited to be a part of WESK’s community of women entrepreneurs.
Stephanie lives in Regina with her husband and their dog, Lily. When she isn’t at work, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and travelling. She is also a certified health coach and is studying holistic nutrition in her spare time.
