Who we are
Our History/What we believe:
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, and business development.
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.
- Integrity
- Win-Win Relationships
- Respectful Work Environments
- Innovation
- ‘Work Hard, Enjoy Life and Have Fun’ Philosophy
- Teamwork
Our Team:
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.
Jeff
Sterzuk
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:
- Energy
- Transportation
- Infrastructure
- Health Care
- Financial Services
- Real Estate
Tara
Bingham
Vice-President
Tara brings almost 30 years of political, government relations and public affairs experience with a focus on public policy advocacy, stakeholder outreach and brand reputation management.
Experience:
- Renewable Energy
- Power and Utilities
- Clean Technology
- Carbon Markets
- Environment and Climate Policy
Kevin
Doherty
VICE-PRESIDENT
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:
- Finance
- Government
- Non-Profit Sector
- Healthcare
- Post-Secondary Education
- Industrial
Richard Truscott
VICE-President
Richard is a highly regarded veteran of Alberta politics with over 30 years of experience in public policy and advocacy, government relations, crisis and strategic communications, public relations, and issues management. He brings a unique set of skills and experience to help our clients achieve their public affairs objectives in Western Canada.
Experience:
- Public Policy & Advocacy
- Government
Relations - Crisis & Strategic Communications
- Public Relations
- Issues Management
Theo
Bryson
Senior Strategy Advisor
Theo has served in a variety of roles within the Saskatchewan government including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment. He has experience in stakeholder relations, regulatory management, issues management and communications.
Experience:
- Agriculture & Agri-food
- Natural Resources
- Municipal Affairs
- Health Care
- High Performing Organizations
Elysa
Darling
SENIOR STRATEGY ADVISOR
Elysa Darling has earned a reputation for tenacity in pursuing organizations’ strategic communications and government relations goals. Elysa joins Prairie Sky after working with the Digital Supercluster, where she led corporate communications, government relations, global public relations, and member engagement. She successfully championed Digital’s efforts to obtain a re-investment of $750 million from the Government of Canada in Budget 2022 for the Global Innovation Cluster Program.
Experience:
- Technology sector
- Not for profit sector
- Government relations
- Public policy & advocacy
- Crisis & strategic communications
- Issues management
- Public affairs
- Indigenous affairs
Sacha
Effendi
Office Administrator
Sacha brings in administrative experience from her 8 year career in the legal industry along with an educational background in Linguistics where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.
Richard
Feehan
Senior Strategy Advisor
Richard Feehan joins Prairie Sky after 40 years of experience in elected office, social work, community leadership, private business and academia in Alberta.
Experience:
- Provincial & municipal government engagement
- Indigenous relations
- Community relations
- Public policy & advocacy
- Issues management
Rick
Fraser
Senior Strategy Advisor
Rick has had a distinguished career in health care, public safety, elected office and as a community volunteer and leader over the past 20 years. Based in Alberta, Rick serves clients in AB and SK in the areas of health, public safety, education and social services.
Experience:
- Government Relations
- Public policy
- Health care
- Education
- Non-profit sector
Brian Gilbertson
Senior Strategy Advisor
Brian brings with him senior government relations, stakeholder engagement, issues management and communications experience through his 20 years of government, post secondary and private sector service. He has also served on various boards and committees.
Experience:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Environment/Climate/ Sustainability
- Energy
- Innovation, Science and Technology
- Transportation
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Issues Management
- Stakeholder Relations
Dania
Hussain
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.
Tom
Lukiwski
Senior Strategy Advisor
Tom brings over 17 years of Federal Government experience to the Prairie Sky Team. He has gained extensive knowledge of all government departments and how they operate and has served in a number of strategy, marketing and business development capacities in Regina.
Experience:
- Federal Government
- Provincial Government
- Business Development
- Communications & Public Speaking
Colleen
Potter
Senior Strategy Advisor
Colleen Potter is a public affairs leader, with extensive expertise in building relationships and influencing diverse groups of people. She has a passion for helping client understand what matters and why, thanks to her 20 years of experience in industry, non-profit, and political environments. Her specialty is bridging the gap between strategic planning and tactical execution.
Experience:
- Arts and Culture
- Energy
- Non-Profit
- Public Policy & Advocacy Campaigns
- Technology & Innovation
Bronte
Prosser
Strategy Advisor
Bronte brings a range of experience in strategic communications, government relations, and public relations. She enjoys working to create meaningful impact for clients through building partnerships between industry, Indigenous communities, and government.
Experience:
- Environment
- Municipal Affairs
- Indigenous Affairs
- Crisis Communications
- Public Relations
- Energy
Mat
Steppan
Senior Strategy Advisor
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:
- Energy
- Government
- Non-Profit
- Informing Provincial Policy & Budget
Ben
Thibault
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:
- Renewable Energy
- Power and Utilities
- Clean Technology
- Carbon Markets
- Environment and Climate Policy
Giving Back:
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.
