Chapter Leadership

Catherine R. Gryba

ICD.D

Catherine Gryba is the Co-Chair of the Saskatchewan Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors. She is the owner of CRG Strategies, specializing in strategy and communications services. CRG Strategies provides independent advice and supports businesses, organizations and communities to sustain and grow through strategic and effective planning.

As a member of the internationally recognized Association for Strategic Planning, she is committed to a high level of quality and service excellence, she has unparalleled expertise in strategic planning, community engagement and government relations. In addition, she acts as a catalyst to provide strategic leadership for long term planning, effective communications and issues management, and effective ways of engaging stakeholders. Prior to joining private sector consulting, she worked for the City of Saskatoon for 34 years, culminating her career as General Manager for Corporate Performance.

Catherine is the Past Chair of Saskatchewan Blue Cross and the United Way of Saskatoon & area and is currently Chair of the Saskatchewan Mutual Insurance Board, on the Board of Directors for eHealth Saskatchewan, Chair of the Nutrien Wonderhub, on the Board of Trustees for the University of Saskatchewan Huskie Athletics, and the Canada Games Foundation

Karen Smith

C. Dir

Karen Smith currently serves as the CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan, Inc. a non-profit dedicated to furthering trust in the marketplace. She is a member of the Sk Women’s Entrepreneur Network and a member of Leaders Council at the Hill & Levene School of Business, University of Regina.

Karen’s current board positions include New Home Warranty Program of Saskatchewan (Chair of HR Committee), Regina Community Clinic Co-operative (Treasurer & Finance/Audit Chair), and board member at Access Communications Co-operative.

Karen was also a member of the Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals (CCAT) representing Saskatchewan, serving on their Professional Development Committee and Convention Planning Committee.  Karen Smith served as the Employer Representative on the Saskatchewan Worker' Compensation Board from June 2005 till August 2015.

Ms. Smith draws from her previous experience as Director of Employee Benefits Plans for the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. She has served on the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Human Resource Committee.

Ms. Smith has served as a board member for the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency, Regina Crime Stoppers, the Killarney Village Condominium Association, was elected to the Buena Vista Council and St. Jerome’s Parish Council. She has a lifetime membership in the Provincial Association of Resort Communities (PARCS) as one of its founding board members.  Karen is also a founding member and Past President of the Saskatchewan Administrative Tribunal Association (SATA).

Accredited as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist, Ms. Smith’s extensive previous community involvement includes organizations such as the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute, and the Human Resource Associations of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. She also represented the workers’ compensation system’s employer stakeholders as a member of the Workers’ Compensation Board's Early Intervention Advisory Committee.

Karen completed all the course requirements of the Chartered Director Program through McMaster University and the DeGroote School of Business in July 2008.  In addition, Karen has attained the Certified Tribunal Administrative Justice (CTAJ) through the Foundation of Administrative Justice.