Meet our Meewasin Leadership Team!
To reach a member of our management team, call 306-665-6887 or click on their name below to send an email.
As Meewasin’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike is responsible for ensuring that the vision of the Valley, as set out in the 100 Year Master Plan and strategic plans, is realized through conservation, development, and education. Mike serves as a community leader and advocate for the organization. He collaborates closely with municipal, provincial, federal, First Nations and Métis governments, the University of Saskatchewan, and other community interest-holders.
Mike earned his degree in Regional and Urban Planning from the University of Saskatchewan and has a passion for good urbanism that includes well connected and protected natural areas. Born and raised in Saskatoon, he is often walking and biking the Meewasin Trail with his family. Mike is deeply honoured to work as part of dedicated team that makes the best part of the Saskatoon region better.
Folasade “Fola” Adebawo is Director of Human Resources. She leads the human resources function by delivering human resources programs, services and expertise that support Meewasin’s organizational culture and strategic direction. She is responsible for the development of an effective human resources strategy and framework for programs, policies and procedures for all human resources activities and information including workforce planning, organizational design, recruitment, compensation management, learning & development, employee & labour relations, performance management and health and safety.
Fola has worked in various leadership and functional capacities across both private and public organizations. She has led and delivered a wide range of HR initiatives and partnered closely with leaders to implement workplace strategies that strengthen employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. She is passionate about helping organizations create workplaces where everyone is excited to come to work.
Outside of work, Fola is married with adorable children. She enjoys watching crime dramas and Christmas movies, and exploring new places with her family. Fola immigrated to Canada from Nigeria in June 2020 and proudly calls Saskatoon home.
Renny W. Grilz, PAg (Dist.) & Nuffield Scholar, is Meewasin’s Director of Conservation. He leads the conservation function by delivering programs, services, and technical expertise that support Meewasin’s organizational culture and strategic direction, including implementation of the Valley-wide Resource Management Plan. He is responsible for developing and advancing conservation strategies, policies, and frameworks related to habitat restoration, biodiversity enhancement, land securement, invasive species management, valley-wide resource management planning, ecological monitoring, and prescribed fire best practices. Meewasin also serves as the Managing Partner for the Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange (CPPFE), a collaborative initiative focused on building prescribed fire capacity, training, and partnerships across the Prairie provinces.
Renny holds an Honours Degree in Plant Ecology from the University of Saskatchewan and has more than 30 years of experience in conservation and land stewardship across the Prairie provinces. He is a Professional Agrologist and recipient of the Distinguished Agrologist Award from the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists and the Prairie Conservation Award. In 2024, he was named a Nuffield Canada Scholar, studying native seed networks, ecological restoration, and seedbanking initiatives internationally.
He is also a founding member of the Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange and the Native Seed Producers of Canada and sits on numerous regional, provincial, national and international boards. He is passionate about advancing prairie conservation through ecological restoration, prescribed fire, targeted grazing, and native seed development. Renny is a frequent speaker at regional, national, and international conferences on conservation and restoration topics and is frequently sought out by the media for interviews.
Outside of work, Renny and his wife Lisa own Blazing Star Wildflower Seed Company, a family farm-business focused on growing and promoting native prairie plants and wildflowers. He enjoys spending time outdoors, working with native plants, mentoring the next generation of conservation professionals, and exploring innovative approaches to prairie stewardship and restoration.
Jamie McMillan has been with Meewasin for over 25 years, working in a variety of roles, and currently serves as the Director of Education. In this role, she leads the education function by delivering education programs, services and expertise that support Meewasin’s organizational culture and strategic direction. She is responsible for the development of an effective education strategy and framework for programs, policies and procedures for all education activities including experiences (tourism), interpretation, community outreach, K-12 and post-secondary collaboration. She is also responsible for the day-to-day operation of Beaver Creek Conservation Area and other Meewasin sites when and where education programs are delivered.
Born and raised in Saskatoon, she is very active within the community. You’ll often find her exploring the Meewasin trails – watching wildlife, going for a run with her dog or paddle boarding along the river.
Alan is part of the leadership team as Meewasin’s Director of Development and is responsible for trail and site planning & development, and operation of Meewasin’s facilities. His team consists of a Landscape Architect, Construction and Facilities Supervisor, and Construction and Horticulture Field Coordinators and their seasonal crews. He enjoys making development projects a reality, enhancing the public realm and improving access for all users.
Alan is a registered Landscape Architect with a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia and 30 years professional experience at various locations, including British Columbia, Montana, Alberta and Saskatchewan. He has lived and worked in Saskatoon with his family for over 25 years, including 13 years with Meewasin. Alan is on the board of the Saskatchewan Trails Association, and represents Meewasin on Saskatoon’s Active Transportation Advisory Group. Outside of work, Alan enjoys spending time with his family, travel, gardening, stained glass, photography, and enjoying outdoor adventures.
Magel brings more than 25 years of experience across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to her work at Meewasin. As Director of Strategic Initiatives, she advances projects that strengthen organizational impact, improve operational efficiency, and further Meewasin’s strategic priorities, including the exploration of a National Urban Park in the Saskatoon region.
Born and raised in Saskatoon, Magel has a degree in Environmental Earth Sciences from the University of Saskatchewan. She started her career with Parks Canada, with stops along the way at Saskatchewan Environment, the University of Saskatchewan, and Leadership Saskatoon.
A prairie girl at heart, Magel’s favorite thing about her job is working on projects that help to showcase Saskatchewan’s landscapes, communities, and people.
Emily is part of Meewasin’s leadership team and is responsible for leading the organization’s marketing, communications, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement efforts. She works to build awareness, strengthen community connections, and inspire support for Meewasin’s mission through strategic storytelling, partnerships, and philanthropy. Emily is passionate about connecting people to the places they love and believes that meaningful conservation begins with creating a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
Emily is a Saskatoon-born and raised marketing and fund development professional with a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from the University of Saskatchewan. She has built her career in the non-profit sector, helping organizations grow their impact through strategic communications, brand development, and fundraising.
Outside of work, Emily can often be found exploring the Meewasin Trail and Saskatoon’s urban green spaces. She also enjoys gardening, canoeing, camping, thrift shopping, and tackling DIY creative projects. She believes that people protect what they love and is passionate about fostering pride, connection, and stewardship for the places that make communities thrive.
Andrea is a part of Meewasin’s leadership team and provides strategic and overall operational guidance on legal, financial, information technology, and governance issues. She is a detail oriented problem solver focused on the next right step to guide operations to their intended outcomes.
Born and raised in rural Saskatchewan, Andrea is a farm girl at heart, but has spent much of her adult life right here in Saskatoon. She is deeply connected to the legacy work of Meewasin and its impact on the Saskatoon region.