Nicole Stark
Meet our Executive Administrative Assistant and Chaos Coordinator, Nicole Stark.
Nicole has spent the last 20 or so years working as administrative support, either as an office manager, unit support, or in patient information in a variety of healthcare settings.
She is the proud mom of an amazing 18-year-old son, who recently graduated from high school, and has two furry sons (dogs) that she couldn’t imagine living without. When she’s not hanging out with her kiddos or working in the yard, she’ll usually be found watching reality TV, thrift shopping, or singing along to her latest “favourite” retro playlist on Spotify.
Carolina Dervalli
Meet our Research Project Coordinator, Carolina Dervalli.
Carolina is passionate about international relations and gender-security. Through her academic journey in international security and conflict studies, she focused on researching women’s rights abuse in conflict and warfare contexts. She has collaborated with educational organizations and engaged in policy research sponsored by The Research Network on Women Peace and Security and the Simons Chair in International Law and Human Security. Emphasizing reforms in the military system, demilitarisation and tackling systemic oppression of women and girls.
Carolina is driven by her personal experiences coming from Brazil, where women’s rights face significant barriers for advancement. As SASS’s newest member she hopes to use some of her experience as a way of supporting the organization’s vision of promoting a community safe and free from gender-based and sexual violence.
In her spare time, Carolina enjoys coffee runs and cooking traditional Brazilian food.
Hannah Elich
Meet our Policy and Research Coordinator, Hannah Elich.
Hannah is a dedicated advocate for human and social justice with a Master’s degree in Public Administration, specializing in policy development and analysis. With a commitment to creating positive change, Hannah brings experience in the non-profit sector, working to serve marginalized populations and underserved communities. Their work has spanned diverse areas, from literacy to immigration to the Canadian Forces. Driven by the hope of a more equitable world, Hannah works to be a catalyst for change, using her skills and passion to advocate for policies that uplift and create opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Outside her work with SASS, Hannah teaches music, watches copious amounts of television, and dotes on her three perfect kitten dependents.
Denise MacDonald
Meet our Provincial Coordinator for the First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training (FRT), Denise MacDonald.
Denise is a social change enthusiast who is confident that a better world is possible. As a public engagement practitioner, she encourages people’s empowerment through awareness raising and capacity building to move from knowledge to action.
Denise has worked for a world without poverty and to protect the ecosystems upon which we depend. She is passionate about intersectional gender justice, ending violence and working for peace. She believes that through cultural humility and embracing equity, diversity and decolonization, people’s human rights can be realized. Through collaboration, Denise is optimistic that we can create the systems change that is needed to end sexual violence within Saskatchewan and beyond.
Denise holds a BA (Hons) in International Development and Political Science from the University of Toronto and a Master’s Degree from the University of Regina with a focus on complexity and wicked problems. She is an avid volunteer who enjoys building community by bringing people together. She loves being in nature and feels a lot of gratitude every day.
Tal Marsolais
Meet our Communications and Community Outreach Specialist, Tal Marsolais.
Tal is a graphic artist who has worked extensively in the non-profit sector. Passionate about the intersection of art with positive social change, she is proud to have created meaningful art for organizations such as Zeno Mountain Farm, Host Family Saskatchewan, and Light of the Prairies. Whether Tal is creating an in-person presentation or a post for social media she emphasizes ethical and engaging storytelling.
Kerrie Isaac
Meet our Executive Director, Kerrie Isaac
Kerrie is our inspiring and energetic leader who is passionate about supporting individuals through education, networking, and collaborative opportunities to affect social change. Her career journey began in child development and education before she began her role as Executive Director of SASS in 2016. Since then, she has grown the organization into a team of academics and advocates who are passionate about addressing and preventing sexual violence in Saskatchewan.
Kerrie’s work at SASS is driven by the desire to amplify the work and voices of service providers who support survivors, to raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual violence in the province, and to create change through transformative conversation, educational resources, and collaborative partnerships.
Aside from working at SASS, Kerrie loves hiking, mountain biking, running, playing sports and spending time with her two sons.
Patience Umereweneza
Meet our Director of Research and Public Policy, Patience Umereweneza
Patience is a research expert and community connector whose wealth of knowledge has contributed to the development of the first comprehensive study on the state of sexual violence that led to the creation of SASS’s research report titled, “Sexual Violence in Saskatchewan: Voices, Stories, and Actions from the Front Lines.” informing the development of 22 actions outlined in Working Together, the first Saskatchewan Sexual Violence Action Plan.
Patience’s work at SASS is driven by the desire to work collaboratively with communities, stakeholders, and organizations to collectively advance the issue of sexual violence while providing resources that support survivors in their healing journey.
Aside from working at SASS, Patience loves to bake, read books, play the piano, spend time with loved ones and support community organizing efforts.