Founded in 2013, Prairie Sky Strategy serves individuals, small and medium-sized organizations, not for profits and large international firms to help achieve their next level of growth in western Canada.
We specialize in local insights and strategy, government relations, public affairs, communications, business development and Indigenous relations.
Our name represents the wide-open, endless opportunities and optimism we believe is western Canada and beyond.
Our team is known for their get it done, common sense “prairie folk” attitude while being hyper-focused on getting you results.
Our focus is being the bridge to your sustainable growth.
We are a team of local professionals providing responsive and personalized services – meaning you get access to a local and experienced advisor.
We also don’t need to fly someone into a local area to gather local insights. We grew up here, have families here and built successful careers and networks here.
All of which saves your organization time, and leads to better results.
Prairie Sky’s growing team includes individuals with a complementary range of backgrounds and skillsets that have worked in the highest levels of government and business across western Canada and Ottawa.
President
Jeff brings 30 years of experience in the private, nonprofit and public sectors in Saskatchewan, BC and Alberta. Prior to starting Prairie Sky in 2013, Jeff spent five years as Chief Operating Officer at Impact Society and 15 years in the financial services sector with Investors Group and RBC Dominion Securities.
Experience:
VICE-PRESIDENT
Born and raised in Fort McMurray, Mat Steppan has more than 20 years of experience in government, post-secondary and the non-profit sector. Over his career, Mat has established a successful record of building positive relationships with elected representatives, government officials, and their staff on both sides of the government relations table and across the political spectrum.
Experience:
VICE-President
Richard is a highly respected veteran in Alberta’s political landscape, with over 30 years of expertise in public policy, advocacy, government relations, crisis and strategic communications, and issues management. His comprehensive skill set supports Prairie Sky Strategy’s clients in navigating and achieving their public affairs goals across Western Canada.
Experience:
Director of Operations
Sacha is a dedicated professional with extensive administrative experience in the legal and public affairs consulting industry. Sacha plays a pivotal role in leading operations and ensuring the smooth functioning of the office. Her expertise in administrative management is complemented by her ability to support and coordinate with Prairie Sky’s consultants, facilitating their work and contributing to the overall success of the team.
Senior Strategy Advisor
Darin has diligently worked to improve quality of life for the people of Saskatchewan for his entire career. He brings more than thirty years of experience in the education and provincial government sectors as a school administrator, chief of staff and senior level civil servant.
He has highly developed expertise in stakeholder relations, public sector governance and public policy development and implementation.
Experience:
Senior Strategy Advisor
Theo brings extensive expertise in government and agriculture to his role as Senior Strategy Advisor. He provides strategic policy analysis and insights, stakeholder relations, and market intelligence across the agriculture, agri-business, municipal, and natural resource sectors.
Experience:
Senior strategy advisor
After 20 years of government service and +20 years of business leadership, Jim Dinning brings his experience to PSS.
He is chair of Russel Metals Inc (RUS-T) and Desjardins-owned Zag Bank. He chairs Western Investment Company (WI-V) as well as Ontario Teachers-owned Heritage Royalty’s Advisory Board.
He is a trustee of the Killam Trust and director of the Muttart Foundation. For the last 10+ years, he has served as the lead faculty member of the Max Bell Public Policy Training Institute.
SENIOR STRATEGY ADVISOR
Kevin has vast experience in the private, public and not for profit sectors over the past 30 years. Kevin joined Prairie Sky Strategy in March of 2018 and enjoys working with a variety of clients. Prior to that, Kevin served as an MLA for Regina Northeast and served in Cabinet in several different capacities including Finance, Advanced Education, Parks, Culture and Sport and as Minister Responsible for SaskTel.
Experience:
Senior Strategy Advisor
Rick Fraser has dedicated over two decades to serving Albertans through health care, public safety, elected office, and grassroots community leadership. A lifelong Calgarian, Rick’s journey began in the rinks—playing junior and minor professional hockey—before shifting his focus to frontline care and public service.
Experience:
Senior Strategy Advisor
Cameron is a veteran of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly and a former Cabinet Minister, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to help clients navigate the complexities of government, policy, and regulatory environments.
Experience:
Senior Strategy Advisor
Whitney, a seasoned professional with a 35-year track record, consistently carves out pathways to success for her clients. Her deep-seated understanding of decision-making processes in business and government sectors, coupled with her expansive network, uniquely positions her to steer through the public policy terrain, effectively amplifying clients’ concerns to decision-makers.
With experience on both sides of the decision-making table, Whitney adeptly navigates success routes for the business and non-profit sectors alike.
Experience:
Associate
Dania is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary, completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Distinction. Throughout her studies, Dania gained experience working in varying roles including the 2021 Calgary municipal election, the 2019 University of Calgary Students’ Union general election, and the University of Calgary’s 76th Student Legislative Council.
Senior Strategy Advisor
Grant McLellan was born and raised in Holdfast, Saskatchewan, where he grew up working on his family’s grain farm. After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Regina, Grant embarked on a 10-year career with the provincial government, serving under both Premier Brad Wall and Premier Scott Moe.
From 2017 to 2022, Grant was the Chief of Staff to the Ministers of Parks, Culture, and Sport, Government Relations, Agriculture, and finally Immigration and Career Training and Trade and Export Development.
Experience:
Senior strategy advisor
Paul’s broad range of experiences and his unwavering service to his community, including 13-years as a cabinet minister in a diverse range or portfolios, have provided him with a unique perspective on Saskatchewan and the intersection of businesses, the not-for-profit sector, and government.
Experience:
Senior Strategy Advisor
Dan Nielsen is a born and raised Edmontonian who brings over 15 years of experience working in municipal government with the City of Edmonton and through liaising with other municipalities – both urban and rural – across Canada, the United States, and around the world. He spent 13 years working in Edmonton’s City Hall with over eight years in the Mayor’s Office across two Mayors serving as a senior advisor. In addition, he has held leadership roles in campaigns ranging from school board trustees, municipal, provincial and federal elections.
Experience:
Senior Strategy Advisor
Leigha Parsons joins Prairie Sky with 25 years of experience in the energy sector, mainly progressing Indigenous engagement for various projects and operations in Western Canada.
Her work involves strategic collaboration between proponents and Indigenous communities, identifying mutual interests and opportunities. Over her career, Leigha has gained a keen understanding of land access agreements and regulatory requirements for First Nation consultation. As an engagement professional, she has developed strong working relationships under complex circumstances, coordinated agreement negotiations, and provided regulatory support on Indigenous matters for on large scope energy projects.
Experience:
Senior Strategy Advisor
Line is a strategic and collaborative executive leader with more than three decades of experience in not-for-profit and public service administration. She is known for building high-performing teams, guiding organizations through change, and delivering results that drive growth.
Throughout her career, Line has led transformative strategies and programs across health care, housing, and social services. While serving with the Alberta Government, she played a pivotal role in shaping major initiatives, including Alberta’s Primary Health Care Initiative, the Affordable Housing Initiative, the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, and the Social-Based Assistance Review.
Experience:
Administrative Assistant
Jessica brings over 17 years of diverse experience in the financial services industry, having excelled in frontline operations, customer service, administration, and head office executive support roles.
Senior Strategy Advisor
Ben brings his expertise in renewable energy and environment, energy, climate and electricity policy to provide strategic policy analysis and insights, government relations, and market intelligence advice to renewable energy and cleantech clients across Canada, the US and overseas.
Experience:
Senior Strategy Advisor
Ken Veldman is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in leadership roles in trade, transportation, investment attraction, and economic development across British Columbia. His career has been deeply rooted in communities throughout the north and interior of the province, where he’s developed a profound understanding of British Columbia’s diverse and complex tapestry of interests.
Experience:
We leverage our many years of board experience and work in the not-for-profit sector to provide pro bono service and financial support to community and charitable groups.
Organizations our team has sponsored or volunteered with include local food banks in major cities across Western Canada, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Canadian Little League Baseball Championships.
We value the vital role non-profits play in communities and our goal is to help them strengthen their effectiveness and expand their impact.
Click HERE to RSVP Powering the Prairies: Saskatchewan’s Nuclear FutureAs Saskatchewan steps into the spotlight of Canada’s energy future, nuclear power is emerging as a game-changing opportunity
