Board of Directors

In his final year of his second term on the Board of Directors, Shawn Waskewitch was named Chair for 2026-27. He was renominated to the Board in 2024-25 by the Rivers West District for Sport, Culture and Recreation after letting his name stand for re-election. He has served as Vice Chair Trust Fund in 2022-23 and as Vice Chair Lotteries in 2025-26. An analyst with SaskEnergy since 2013, Waskewitch is active with the Crown Corp’s Aboriginal Government Employees Committee. He is the current Director of the Muskoday Economic Development Board and has helped set the strategic direction for the board, as well as helped identify investment and partnership opportunities. He has been a member of the Sask Sport Indigenous Sport Leadership Council for the last two years and is passionate about sport as a participant.

Brett Hines was nominated to the Board in 2021 by Skate Canada – Saskatchewan, filling a one-year interim role. Brett was renominated to the board for a three-year term in 2022 and, once again, was renominated in 2025. He will serve as Vice Chair Sport for 2026-27 after filling Vice Chair Trust Fund in 2023-24 and Secretary/Treasurer for 2025-26. Since 1998, Hines has been involved with Skate Canada – Saskatchewan, first joining as an athlete before transitioning to a volunteer role, where he currently serves as a member of Skate Canada’s Technical Coordinating Committee. He is an official and learning facilitator in the sport. In his time with the Sask Sport board, he has also served time on all committees. In 2020, Hines was recognized for his volunteer service with a Saskatchewan Sport Award and a Skate Canada Award.

Jessie Buydens was nominated to the Board in 2018, and again in 2025, by Football Saskatchewan. She will serve as Vice Chair Trust in 2026-27. An active member of the amateur sport community, Buydens has contributed as a coach of various sports for more than 20 years, including provincial teams, as well as in team management and board administration. In addition to Sask Sport’s board, she has served on the boards for KidSport Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Valkyries, Wild Oats Rugby and the North Saskatchewan Rugby Union. She is an accomplished athlete in football, rugby and power lifting. Buydens is a lawyer in Saskatoon.

Rob Lovelace was nominated to the board in 2025 by Basketball Saskatchewan and will service as Vice Chair Lotteries in 2026-27. An IT Coordinator at the University of Saskatchewan, Lovelace has close to two-decades of involvement in sport including coaching basketball since 2005 and football, both flag and tackle, since 2015.  He served as President of Basketball Saskatchewan’s board, as well as acted as the local organizing committee athlete director for the FIBA 3X3 World Tour from 2017-19 and the Saskatoon Urban Games from 2024-25. Rob played basketball for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and is an assistant coach with the Saskatoon Mamba.

Bill Kinash was renominated to the Board in 2024 by Saskatchewan Cycling Association for a second term and will serve as Secretary-Treasurer in 2026-27. During his first term, he served as Vice Chair Sport in 2022-23, before being elected chair for 2023-24. He also has served as Vice Chair Trust Fund in 2025-26. He has been a volunteer and an avid cyclist for 45 years. A long-serving member of the Sask Cycling Board, he has served in roles including vice president of racing, finance, coaching and Sask First before becoming president for 10 years from 1992-2002. Kinash served as an elected board member for Cycling Canada for 19 years which included a three-year term as president. He has been recognized for his contributions to sport with service awards from Sask Cycling and Cycling Canada, received a Saskatchewan Sport Volunteer Recognition Award in 1994 and is a member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame as a builder. Kinash is a registered professional engineer and works at SaskPower.

Brittany Brunn was nominated to the Board in 2024 by Softball Saskatchewan and served as Vice Chair Sport for 2025-26. An Indigenous Coordinator for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, Brunn often does speaking engagements discussing mental health and the use of sport to help improve the quality of life. She is currently working on a partnership with an Indigenous-owned company to create a fastball sports academy. Brunn has a deep understanding of the multiple agencies and assistance programs that support families in accessing extra-curricular activities.

Joel Brown was nominated to the Board in 2023 by Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association and let his name stand for re-election after his three-year term. During his first term, he served as Vice Chair Trust Fund in 2024-25.  Brown is a high school teach and has spent 20 years coaching football with Regina Minor Football, as well as coaches high school football. As a coach, Brown uses his platform to share a positive, educated and energetic message and bring another perspective to athletes. Brown is an avid sport participant having played basketball and football throughout his life.

Christina Marissa Giannini was nominated to the board in 2026-27 by Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan and will serve a two-year term to fill a vacancy. As a Procurement Specialist for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Giannini has developed a strong ability to support initiatives that improve the quality of life for individuals across the province. Outside of her career, Giannini volunteers her time with multiple organizations including the Canadian Western Agribition, Regina Multicultural Council and Bright Eyes Dog Rescue. In 2001, she was named flag bearer for the Canada Summer Games and has been involved with sport for most her life.

Astrid Nyame was nominated to the board in 2026-27 by Saskatchewan Athletics. A Team Lead in Payments and Reimbursement Services, Nyame volunteers in various roles with Running Wild Athletics, including as a coach for the Future Greats and Developmental programs. She is a University of Saskatchewan Huskie track and field alumni, who has built a strong understanding of the discipline and support required to reach high-performance sport. Nyame is passionate about giving back to sport in Saskatchewan and is driven to help athletes find opportunities to improve and develop in their chosen discipline.

Amy Prokop was nominated to the Board in 2023 by the University of Saskatchewan, College of Kinesiology and served Vice Chair Lotteries in 2024-25 and Chair in 2025-26. Prokop let her name stand for re-election at the end of her term. As a product manager lead, Prokop applies her two degrees from the University of Saskatchewan. For the past eight years, Amy has been an assistant coach with the Huskie women’s soccer program. During her University athletic career, she helped the Huskie women’s basketball team win their first Canada West Championship and earn consecutive appearances at the USPORTS championships. As a coach, Amy has helped start a grassroots Junior Huskie program, spearheaded alumni engagement initiatives and helped establish a mission driven culture with a focus on community investment.

Brittany Staines was nominated to the board in 2026-27 by Sask Volleyball and will fill a one-year term left by a vacancy. As a Communications Consultant, Staines has spent the past three decades officiating various sports from local to national level. She is a member of the Sask Volleyball referee committee and worked to onboard new officials and guide them through their first season. For six years, Staines has served as a volleyball coach, in addition to being an NCCP community soccer coach. Her experience within the sporting community is used as she looks to enhance the retention of committed volunteers in the community.

Mike Thorson was nominated to the Board in 2023 by Football Saskatchewan and served as Secretary/Treasurer for 2024-25. He let his name stand for re-election at the end of his term. A retired principal, Thorson is an Upstander Education Coordinator. He is active in swimming, hockey, golf, tennis, cycling and football, as well as has experience in coaching soccer, fastball, baseball, hockey and volleyball. Thorson is a current member of the Saskatoon Downtown Event & Entertainment District Focus Group, where he can enact his experience in sharing new programs and relationship building.