Art Exner
Chair
Art Exner is Chair of the SRNET Board of Directors. Art is also a Board member of the Canadian University Council of CIO’s (CUCCIO), CIO liaison to the CUCCIO Information Security Special Interest Group, and contributor to the CUCCIO Leadership Development Program. As Associate Vice‐President (Information Services) at the University of Regina, Art is responsible for charting the strategic information technology plans for the University to achieve improved business outcomes in an increasingly client‐centric service model. Art brings a wealth of experience to the SRNET Board through his long‐time presence in the Canadian University IT and networking communities.
Chris Gaschler
Chris Gaschler currently serves as the Interim Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice President of Information and Communications Technology at the University of Saskatchewan. With over two decades at USask, Chris has played a pivotal role in spearheading strategic technology and business initiatives across the university. He takes great pride in fostering a collaborative and inclusive IT culture. Prior to joining USask, Chris worked in research with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, studying the occurrence and distribution of food safety and trade-related parasites. He later worked with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative to develop systems for tracking West Nile and Chronic Wasting Disease in Canada.
Darryl Bazylak
Darryl Bazylak is the Director of Education for Prairie Spirit School Division in Warman, Saskatchewan. The division serves the needs of 11,800 students in 48 schools spanning 28 communities. In the past, Darryl served as Superintendent of Education with experience across several portfolios including First Nations and Métis Education, Learning, Human Resources, and Technology, which introduced him to SRNET. Darryl is passionate about closing the gap and improving outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. He has served on several provincial and national Boards and is currently the Chair of the Emmanuel Health Board. Emmanuel Health provides acute and long-term care throughout 12 facilities located within Saskatchewan.
Barb Carra
Dr. Barb Carra is the President and CEO of Cybera, Alberta’s Research and Education Network. She is a respected leader and collaborative partner within Canada’s research, education and innovation landscape. With a PhD in applied research, spatial statistics and data modeling, Barb has over a decade of experience in data analytics and policy, which allows her to act as a bridge between research and technical domains. Barb spearheaded the development of Cybera’s policy, strategic and operational initiatives, including the ShareIT procurement program and Cybera’s new cybersecurity portfolio. Barb was selected to join the Government of Alberta’s Talent Advisory Council on Technology, which provided advice and input on strategies, investments, and outcomes to grow Alberta’s tech talent. She currently sits on multiple boards and committees in the ICT landscape.
Jason Hlady
Jason is the associate director of Research and Library Technology within Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at the University of Saskatchewan. He has over 20 years of experience in information technology, and has spent his career enabling research success at USask. Jason is actively involved with regional and national advanced research computing service delivery with WestGrid and Compute Canada. Over the last several years, Jason has taken a leading role in advancing tools for research data management in Canada, and works closely with CARL/Portage and the New Digital Research Infrastructure Organization (NDRIO).
Gerry Miller
Gerry Miller is the Chief Executive Officer of MRnet, Manitoba’s Research and Education Network. Prior to MRnet, Gerry was the Executive Director of
Information Services and Technology at the University of Manitoba, responsible for management of all computing, networking, telecommunications and media services in support of teaching, research and administration. Gerry has also been involved in many national and provincial networking activities including CA*net, MBnet, MRnet, and Canada’s National Research and Education Network.
Gwen Borque
Gwen Borque is Associate Vice President of Information Technology Services. At Saskatchewan Polytechnic, where she’s served in a variety of progressively responsible roles over the past 22 years from programming to project management and most recently, Director of IT Operations. Gwen is a proud Saskatchewan Polytechnic Computer Systems Technology graduate and has completed her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Royal Roads University focused on Leadership and Digital Transformation at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. She is also a Brigadier General in the military part time as the 3rd Canadian Division Deputy Commander, with responsibilities of soldiers from British Columbia to Northern Ontario. Gwen has recently received the Order of Military Merit.
Cheryl Schmitz
Cheryl Schmitz is an established and collaborative executive leader with extensive financial and administrative experience. Her practical and thoughtful approach to planning, problem‐solving, operations and team‐building are among many reasons she is respected and valued as a senior administrator, project leader and strategic advisor to organizational leaders, policy makers and boards of directors. Executive‐level professional development, in a range of relevant disciplines, complements her CPA/CMA designation and business degree (with distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan.
Cheryl joined SIAST in 1995 as the manager of payroll systems and services. In 1996, she was appointed as SIAST’s director of financial planning and in 2005, Cheryl assumed the role of acting chief financial officer. She was appointed permanently to this position in 2006 along with a title change to AVP, Financial Services. Cheryl made significant contributions towards transforming and positioning SIAST to become a first‐choice polytechnic in Canada and she currently holds the position as CFO & VP, Administrative Services.
Dr. Andrea Sterzuk
Dr. Sterzuk received her PhD in Interdisciplinary Language Acquisition Program at McGill University and joined the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina in 2007. Over the last 12 years, she has served in a number of leadership roles including Acting Associate Dean, Graduate Programs & Research in Education and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education. In December of 2020 Dr. Sterzuk was appointed as Director of the Centre for Educational Research, Collaboration and Development which is the Faculty of Education’s faculty-based research centre.
As the University of Regina’s Vice-President (Research), Andrea provides leadership to the Offices of Research Services and Research Partnerships & Innovation, to the numerous University Research Centres and Institutes and also to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. She promotes and expands research and scholarly initiatives across the University, seeks research funding and opportunities and collaborates with national and international partners.
