WESK Connect YXE: Networking with Experts

OptimaHR is a Saskatchewan-based, remote Fractional HR agency serving clients across Canada. We simplify HR management for small and medium-sized businesses by providing flexible, customized support that aligns with each client’s unique needs. Recognizing that every organization has its own set of people challenges, OptimaHR takes a deep dive into understanding your business’s unique dynamics. Our tailored solutions are designed to help your team thrive, giving you the HR expertise you need without the one-size-fits-all approach.

Michelle Houlden is the owner and creative director of Maverick Studios, where she builds sharp, strategic brands for small service-based businesses that don’t have time to mess around. Through focused, intensive projects, Michelle helps business owners get clear, confident branding and high-quality design in just a couple of days. With a journalism background and decades in visual communication, she specializes in cutting through the noise and delivering work that connects your vision to your customers.

The Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC), established in 1972, is a First Nations–governed educational institution committed to the preservation, protection, and promotion of First Nations cultures and languages in Saskatchewan. SICC has served First Nations people since its founding and was the first educational institution governed by First Nations at the provincial level.
SICC strives to maintain the cultural identity of the First Nations peoples who inhabit what is now known as Saskatchewan, including the Plains Cree, Swampy Cree, Woodland Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakoda, and Lakota Nations.
Through cultural education, resource development, and advocacy, the Centre plays a vital role in supporting First Nations language revitalization and cultural continuity. As an institution of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations (FSIN), SICC is dedicated to advancing and protecting First Nations sovereignty, traditional knowledge systems, and ways of life.

Rosalie Hughes is the Founder and CEO of Hughes Recruitment & Strategy Collective and the Co-Founder of Catalyst Talent Solutions. She founded these companies on the belief that great organizations start with great people. After establishing her career in corporate recruitment and HR, her entrepreneurial drive led her to launch Hughes Collective with a vision to redefine how organizations attract, develop, and retain talent. More recently, she co-founded Catalyst Talent Solutions to offer professional temporary talent solutions that support organizations through periods of transition, growth, and change.

A passionate female entrepreneur widely regarded as a disruptor in the industry, Rosalie challenges traditional thinking and inspires both businesses and individuals to move away from outdated systems in pursuit of meaningful growth. Her work extends beyond recruitment and HR into marketing, employer branding, talent management, succession planning, and more. She is dedicated to building authentic connections, developing high-performing teams, and empowering others to lead with purpose and confidence.
Rosalie’s energy, insight, and commitment to challenging the status quo make her a dynamic mentor and an inspiring voice for leaders at every stage of their journey.

Originally from Cameroon and based in Saskatoon for the past three years, Ginette APEUS is an entrepreneur, wife, and mother of four. Her background combines strong technical expertise with a deep commitment to cultural, ethical, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

Before settling in Canada, Ginette worked as a cybersecurity analyst engineer, gaining several years of experience in team leadership and complex project management. This analytical rigor and structured approach now inform her strategic and operational vision as a business leader.

Ginette leads two businesses that reflect her values: Ginette Luxurycrafts, a fashion and accessories Shop inspired by African cultural heritage, and DJENDE by Crafted Origins Specialty Foods Inc., a specialty food brand offering premium products (coffee, tea, honey, spices) with a focus on quality, traceability, and more equitable trade relationships with local and international producers.

As a mentor with WESK, Ginette will support women entrepreneurs in building and structuring their businesses, developing leadership and management skills, and navigating professional integration in Saskatchewan. Her journey reflects the possibility of building a fulfilling, values-driven career—even after recent immigration—while remaining open to innovation and growth.