Innovation Saskatchewan is responsible for implementing the province’s innovation priorities and helping grow Saskatchewan’s tech sector. Effective April 2022, this includes operation of the Innovation Place technology parks in Saskatoon and Regina.
Kari Harvey
Chief Executive Officer
Vice President, Economic Development and Research Investments (Interim)
Kari Harvey is CEO of Innovation Saskatchewan where her responsibilities include working with community partners to nurture an environment that supports the success of startup tech companies in the province, and with the research community to ensure Saskatchewan research and commercialization interests are maximized.
Her 29-year public service career includes senior leadership positions in the Ministry of Agriculture such as Director of the Agri-business Development Branch, Executive Director, Capital and Regional Services with the Saskatchewan Ministry Health, and Executive Council and Office of the Premier as Assistant Deputy Minister, International Relations and Protocol. Kari is currently a board member with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), the Canadian Light Source (CLS) and Saskatchewan’s first tech incubator, Co.Labs. In the fall of 2020, she was also appointed to the NRC-IRAP Advisory Council.
Kari holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration, both from the University of Regina, as well as the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Brent Sukenik
Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Services
Brent Sukenik was appointed Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Services in October 2022. Brent first joined the company in 2002 as the Corporate Controller. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2014 and Acting President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2020. Prior to joining Innovation Place, Brent worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers as an Audit Manager. Brent holds a Bachelor of Administration designation from the University of Regina and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA).
Debbie Haluik
Vice President, Research Park Operations
Debbie Haluik was appointed Vice President, Research Park Operations in October 2022. Debbie first joined the company in 1997 and has held various roles in Property Management, Technical Operations, Marketing and Project Management. She was appointed Executive Director, Client Relations in 2017 and Acting Vice President, Client Relations in April 2021. She received a Certified Property Manager designation from the Real Estate Institute of Canada in 2006 and has participated in various leadership development programs, including the Effective Executive Program through the Edwards School of Business. She has served on the Real Estate Institute of Saskatchewan’s board of directors and volunteered with the Commercial Real Estate Women’s Network of Saskatchewan.
Trevor Cross
Executive Director, Communications and Marketing (Interim)
Trevor Cross was appointed Executive Director, Communications and Marketing (Interim) in October 2022. Trevor joined the company in 2010 as Director, Information Technology. He was appointed Vice President, Corporate Services and Initiatives in April 2015 and Acting Chief Financial Officer in October 2020. Trevor earned a professional designation from the Project Management Institute and is a retired Commissioned Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. Trevor has also served on numerous not-for-profit governing boards for organizations based in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and previously worked and volunteered as a Canadian Yachting Association sailing instructor for over 25 years.
Honourable Jeremy Harrison (Chair)
Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan
Jeremy Harrison grew up in the Meadow Lake area and graduated from Carpenter High School in 1996. Jeremy went on to complete an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Canadian History from the University of Alberta, a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, and a Juris Doctor (Law) Degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Jeremy was elected to Parliament in 2004, and at the age of 26 became one of the youngest Canadians ever to sit in the House of Commons. Jeremy was elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 2007. He is the youngest Canadian ever to have been elected to both the House of Commons and a provincial Legislative Assembly. He first served as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Resources until being appointed to Cabinet in 2009. He has served as the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Enterprise Saskatchewan, Government House Leader, Minister Responsible for Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training, Minister of the Economy, Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, Minister responsible for the Global Transportation Hub, Minister responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan, Minister responsible for Innovation, and Minister responsible for Trade. On February 2, 2018 Premier Scott Moe appointed Jeremy as the Minister of Trade and Export Development and Minister of Immigration and Career Training. Jeremy also currently serves as Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Government Operations, and as a member of the Board of Internal Economy and the caucus Committee on Human Services. He also serves as the Deputy Government House Leader and as a member of the Standing Committee on House Services. Jeremy and his wife Alaina have one son, MacGregor and one daughter, Finnley.
Honourable Lori Carr
Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement
Lori was elected MLA for Estevan in the 2016 provincial election. Lori spent 20 years working as a licensed assistant in a financial planning office. She is very active in the community as a board member for the Air Cadet League, Sun Country Health Region and Ducks Unlimited. Lori also spent ten years serving on Estevan City Council. She currently serves as Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement and Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and the Global Transportation Hub and serves as the Deputy Government House Leader. She has also served as Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, Minister of Government Relations, Minister of Social Services, Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, and Minister responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission. Prior to this, Lori was a member of the government’s leadership team as Deputy Whip and had served as a Legislative Secretary to both the Minister of Finance and the Minister responsible for SaskPower. Living in Estevan with her partner Bart, she has raised three children and is a very proud grandmother of 3.
Ms. Alana Ross
MLA Prince Albert Northcote
Alana Ross was elected as the MLA for Prince Albert Northcote in the 2020 provincial election. Prior to her election, she worked in the province's health care sector as a front-line nurse, unit union representative, in the management team, and as a post-secondary instructor. Ross has also served as the Saskatchewan Party President for Prince Albert Northcote since 2011. Alana has three grown children, one grandchild, and resides in Prince Albert Northcote.