BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Director: Joel Janow (B.A., LL.B.)
PLEA Board of Directors 2010-2011
President: Doug Surtees; College of Law, University of Saskatchewan
Doug Surtees is an Assistant Professor of Law, at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan. He has taught Elder Law, Disability Law, Trusts, Wills, Contracts and Insurance Law. In addition he has taught law-related classes at the College of Commerce, the College of Agriculture and SIAST Institute. Doug has acted as a labour adjudicator and an arbitrator. He is a certified mediator and holds a Professional teaching certificate as well as being a member of the Saskatchewan Bar.
Vice-President: Glenda Cooney; Individual Director
Glenda is a member at large and vice chair of PLEA. She is retired from a 30 year career with the Government of Saskatchewan. She was Deputy Children's Advocate, Deputy Ombudsman and sat as a Commissioner with the First Nations and Metis Peoples Justice Reform Commission. She has been an avid volunteer with numerous boards and agencies at the local, provincial and national level in crime prevention, human rights and child welfare reform. She is a certified mediator and is a consultant to non-profit organizations engaged in program evaluations and organizational development including Board training.
Treasurer/Secretary: Randy Danyliw; Individual Director
Randy, a retired business education teacher, keeps active by substitute teaching and working for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. Randy has been a board member for a number of years as a member at large, PLEA treasurer, and chair of the Liaison Committee. He believes that furthering legal knowledge in our province is vital for an informed and educated public.
Donna Bouchard; Individual Director
Donna Bouchard is currently a practicing lawyer and mediator with Scharfstein Gibbings Walen & Fisher LLP in Saskatoon. Prior to entering the practice of law, Donna was employed as a high school teacher and guidance counsellor for several years.
Margot Hurlbert; Canadian Bar Association, Saskatchewan Branch
Margot is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed to the Departments of Justice Studies and the Department of Sociology and Social Studies at the University of Regina. Margot commenced her career with 11 years in private legal practice followed by seven years as Assistant General Counsel for SaskPower before starting with the University in 2005.
Heather Jensen; Law Society of Saskatchewan
Heather sits on the PLEA Board of Directors as a representative of the Law Society of Saskatchewan. Ms. Jensen is an associate lawyer with the Saskatoon law firm Plaxton and Company, where she works primarily in the areas of labour and employment law and human rights.
Patricia Kovacs; Saskatchewan Ministry of Education
Patricia sits on the PLEA Board of Directors as a representative of the Central Region office for the Ministry of Education. Patricia is a Regional Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, where she supports school divisions with the actualization and implementation of the Saskatchewan curriculum.
Ron Kruzeniski, Q.C.; Individual Director
Ron Kruzeniski was admitted to the bar in 1973. He was in private practice in Regina, during which time he was Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission. He has also practiced law in the Ministry of Justice and in 1995 was appointed the Public Guardian and Trustee.
Ron has served his community by being Chair of the Regina Separate School Board, Vice Chair of the Regina Public Library Board, Board Member of the Saskatchewan School Trustees Association, and National Vice President of the Canadian Institute for the Blind. He received the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal for 1998, the Commemorative Medal for the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal for 2005.
Kim Newsham; Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice
Kim Newsham is a lawyer with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Justice & Attorney General. She works primarily in the area of family law policy development, and training. Prior to her present position, Ms. Newsham practiced law with Herle & Co. in Regina, and with Cawood Walker in North Battleford. She graduated with an L.L.B. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1996, and was called to the Bar in 1997.
Norma Sim, Q.C; Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission, Saskatoon Rural Office
Norma is the past president of PLEA. She works as a lawyer for the Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission. She is presently also on the board of directors for the Saskatoon Open Door Society and CLASSIC.
Gwen Thomson; Saskatoon Public Library
Gwen is the manager of Adult and Information Services and oversees the Legal Services area at the Frances Morrison Library. This is a specialized legal collection for the layperson and is used by many people who wish to learn more about the law and legal matters.
Zandra Wilson; Individual Director
Zandra is the Legal Editor and Publications Manager at the Native Law Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. In this role she is responsible for editorial services, administration of the publication unit, and directs the publication of a wide range of materials, including a law report series, a First Nations gazette, books and monographs.