Mentors
Saskatchewan's mentors are experienced elected officials and senior administrators who volunteer their time to help guide their peers.
The mentors have been trained in coaching, communication, facilitation, and dispute resolution, and can provide coaching and advice on interpersonal conflict, governance practices, services provisions, and public issues. They can also provide guidance on roles and responsibilities.
Contact a mentor for free, one-on-one confidential advice.
Rodney Audette
Town Manager
Town of White City
Rodney is the former CAO/Administrator for an inter-municipal office and contributes a unique perspective to the peer mentor program. He also brings a strong background in council/administration relationships and governance that could provide positive assistance to both municipal administrative staff and elected officials.
Cell: 306-631-3421
Phone: 306-781-2355 ext. 224
Availability: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Available anytime, in case of emergency
Randy Donauer
Councillor
City of Saskatoon
Randy is the City of Saskatoon council lead on regional issues. In his role, he regularly draws on more than 10 years of experience at the council table. He has served as a member of the Saskatoon District Planning Commission, the Municipal Planning Commission, and is currently a member of the Regional Oversight Committee of the North Saskatoon Plan for Growth. He has completed governance training and is certified as a professional director. Randy recognizes a significant need for training on municipal issues, and he would like to draw on his learning and governance skills to assist his colleagues.
Phone: (306) 291-4475
Availability: Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Barry Elliott
CAO
Town of Maple Creek
Though Barry began working for municipal government in 1980, it was not until 2007 that he completed the Municipal Administration Program at the University of Manitoba and then made the leap to administration. Barry has had the opportunity to work in all provinces from Ontario through to British Columbia. 2020 marked his 40th year working in municipal government, and what a ride it has been. It never ceases to amaze him how different each jurisdiction can be and yet how alike they all are.
In 2012, while working in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Barry also graduated from the University of Alberta’s National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration Program. He recently completed two terms on the Board of the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance and he currently has the honour of serving as vice-president of the Urban Municipal Administrators’ Association of Saskatchewan.
Phone: (306) 662-2244
Cell: (306) 661-9968
Availability: Anytime
Aileen Garrett
CAO
Town of Unity
Aileen brings more than 19 years of experience to the municipal peer network. She is a good listener and is looking to support members who are less experienced. Aileen hopes to share her knowledge and help find solutions to common issues.
Phone: (306) 228-2621
Availability: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – noon, 1 – 5 p.m.
James Leroy
Reeve
RM of White Valley
Michelle McKenzie
Mayor
Town of Maple Creek
Michelle was born and raised in the town of Maple Creek. She was first elected to council in 2012, for a four-year term as councillor. On September 12, 2018, she was elected mayor of Maple Creek in a by-election and served for the remainder of the 2016-2020 term. On October 8, 2020 she was acclaimed as mayor for another four-year term.
Cell: 306-661-7717
Email: mayormckenzie@maplecreek.ca
Availability: Anytime
Don McCallum
Administrator
RM of Cut Knife
Don is the past-president of the Rural Municipalities Association of Administrators, past Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities board member, and has the unique perspective of being a joint town/RM office administrator for more than 15 years. Throughout his career in municipal administration, he has seen the profession evolve and intensify. For this reason, Don believes that the new administrators in local government would benefit from peer mentorship.
Cell: (306) 398-7840
Phone: (306) 398-2353
Availability: Anytime, within reason
Don Taylor
Reeve
RM of Saltcoats
Born the fourth generation into a family farm, established in 1898, Don has deep roots in Saskatchewan agriculture. He also has deep roots in municipal politics, dedicating nearly 40 years to municipal service. Don has contributed to numerous community boards and provincial boards, including 20 years on the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Board of Directors. As a peer mentor, he hopes he will be of genuine help to someone in their role.
Phone: (306) 898-2065
Cell: (306) 621-1707
Availability: Anytime, preferably not on Sundays.
Donna Tymiak
Administrator
RM of Leroy
Donna began her career as a RM administrator in 1997 and received her Rural “Superior A” Certification in 2008. She credits her success as an administrator to a positive attitude, supportive husband, progressive councils, and fantastic mentorship throughout her career. Her involvement with the Municipal Peer Network stems from the knowledge that administrative colleagues may benefit from networking or reaching out to a fellow professional as a confidential sounding board. Donna’s career has provided her with experience in several fields, most notably with governance, land development, and inter-municipal relationships.
Phone: (306) 286-3261
Availability: Monday – Friday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
James is no stranger to joint-municipal boards and the opportunities and challenges they present. As the RM of White Valley Reeve, he has been involved with several joint-municipal boards. The RM municipal office also shares space with the Town of Eastend — which provides opportunities for collaboration. James sees the Municipal Peer Network as an exciting way to work with others, building new ventures and relationships.
Phone: (306) 297-8608
Availability: Monday – Friday