Isabella Grajczyk (she/her)
Co-founder and Executive Director
Isabella Grajczyk was raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and is a recent graduate from the University of Regina with a degree in Education. She is currently working as a teacher in a high school in her hometown and is also pursuing an Arts degree in International Affairs and a minor in Economics. She has previously been a United Nations Association of Canada delegate and was selected to attend the Commission on the Status of Women in New York and has also organized an International Women’s Day Brunch for her community. Isabella is deeply passionate about empowering girls in Saskatchewan and helping them grow into leaders, which is why she was inspired to create Sask Girls United. She believes that all girls deserve the opportunity to foster and develop leadership skills and confidence as well as be a part of an inclusive community with other girls from across the province.
Kendall Bistretzan (she/her)
Cofounder and Director of Communications
Kendall Bistretzan was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, where she received her journalism degree from Mount Royal University. Kendall is passionate about social justice, mental health, feminism and LGBTQ+ related issues, which is evident in her many articles and stories that have been published across multiple imprints, including Avenue Magazine, The Calgary Journal, Freefall Magazine, Daily Hive, and more. She currently works as a technical producer and freelance writer, and is completing her debut novel. Kendall is proud to be from Saskatchewan, and prouder yet to have a part in uniting the next generation of leaders.
Sasha Valgardsson (she/her)
Cofounder and Director of Marketing
Sasha Valgardsson was born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and most previously lived and worked in New York City and Vancouver, BC. After studying International Business at Carleton University and abroad in Germany, she pursued a career change that landed her an internship in New York City, where she had the incredible opportunity to work with leading international design agencies that are creating work that makes an impact, and speaks to and represents the world around us. Sasha is passionate about feminism, social and environmental justice, and empowering girls to make their own way in the world. She is thrilled and grateful to be a part of such an extraordinary group of women, brought together by a shared desire to inspire and create an inclusive community for the future leaders of Saskatchewan.
Zahin Rahman (she/her)
Cofounder and Director of Transformation & Inclusion
Zahin Rahman was raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and is currently completing a Bachelor’s of Science at the University of Saskatchewan. As a co-founder, she has loved watching SGU grow to be what it is today and is eager to continue to see the organization thrive. Her favourite parts of SGU are working with and learning from incredible women from various fields, as well as connecting with brilliant girls from all over Saskatchewan. In her spare time, Zahin enjoys reading, painting, and generally learning new things.
Amy Carruthers (she/her)
Director of Finance and Operations
Amy Carruthers is from Paradise Hill Saskatchewan and is currently calling Saskatoon home. She is an agriculture enthusiast who recently completely her MSc. in Agricultural Economics. Amy is the program development manager at Ag-West Bio and enjoys being involved in the family farm as much as possible. In her spare time, Amy can be found learning more about the world of personal finance, biking through Saskatoon, or doing anything that involves being outdoors. Growing up as a member of a youth organization herself, Amy is a firm believer in the power of building confidence and developing a strong network of peers early on. Amy is looking forward to contributing to the open and powerful community that is Sask Girls United.
Hannah Elich (she/her)
Director
Hannah's heart and soul belong to Saskatchewan and is thrilled to be bringing that passion to Sask Girls United. She has a Masters in Public Administration and has been working with community service agencies in Moose Jaw for more than 15 years. Additionally, Hannah has three cats (Harry Styles, Mr. Joe Alwyn, and Autumn Leaves Falling Like Pieces Into Place) and holds the title of 'cat lady' with a solid measure of pride and purpose.
Gillian Francis (they/she)
Director
Gillian Francis (they/she) is a settler on unceded and ancestral territories of many Indigenous Peoples and communities across this nation. Gillian was born and raised in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, and currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, where they earned their BA in International Relations from the University of Calgary and presently work at Canadian Equality Consulting as a Strategist. Gillian is a lesbian genderfluid woman and non-binary individual; they recognize that they have the freedom to openly live and express themselves as such thanks to the trailblazing activist and advocacy work of Black and Brown transgender women and queer people of colour. They enjoy spending time with their non-binary fiancé, friends, family, and pets, reading and writing, and creating art through various mediums. Gillian believes in advocating globally and locally for human rights, anti-racism, decolonization, ecofeminism, mental wellness, harm-reduction, body acceptance, and anti-oppression; they view empathy, creativity, and compassion as vital tools for creating a better world for all.
Lauren Hill (she/her)
Director
Lauren is from Saskatoon and is currently attending law school at the University of Saskatchewan. Prior to, she received her Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Alberta, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from McGill University. Her favourite parts of SGU are working with the incredible women a part of the SGU team, as well as fostering a welcoming and empowering community for girls across the province. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys reading, crafting, and curating Spotify playlists for every occasion.
Mariah Perkins (she/her)
Director
Mariah was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and currently resides in Kipling with her four sons and husband. Mariah has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Regina and is pursuing a master’s degree in counselling psychology. She has been working as a Learning Support Teacher, in a small town in southeast Saskatchewan for the last 11 years, and is passionate about supporting children and families. In her spare time, Mariah enjoys reading, learning new things, and connecting with friends and family. She seeks to empower women-both young and old to take control of their health and wellness and step into their power and excited to be a part of the Sask Girls United team.
Jaylyn Kim (she/her)
General Manager
Jaylyn, born in South Korea, has spent the majority of her time and currently resides in Regina, Saskatchewan. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a double major in Criminology and Sociology, complemented by a minor in Earth Science. Passionate about contributing to her immigrant community in Regina, she serves as the program coordinator for the Youth Program in the settlement agency. In this role, she connects with immigrant and refugee youths, facilitating their integration into the community and fostering social networks, supporting their settlement journey. Jaylyn enjoys art, crafting, embroidery, and playing musical instruments.