Meet Our Team

Ron Hyggen was appointed CEO of Kitsaki on July 1, 2022. He is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band from the community of Sucker River with a wealth of experience, education, and training. Ron joined Kitsaki in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer (COO) after a decade as CEO at Athabasca Basin Security (ABS), during which he expanded the scope of services and significantly increased the staff from 30 to more than 300. Other highlights during Ron’s time at ABS include the establishment of 14 First Nation partnerships across Western Canada, presenting to the Senate of Canada Standing Committee, achieving the Sabex award for growth and expansion, and managing the acquisition of Grande Prairie’s All Peace Protection. Before his time at ABS, Ron was senior consultant at Deloitte, where he worked with their SAP/JD Edwards and system implementation team, and at SIGA, where he was Director of HRS & Business Planning. Outside of work, Ron is a member of the Board of Directors at St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation.

Ron holds the Professional Director Certificate from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, Certificates in HR Management and Organizational Development from Queen’s University, and a Bachelor of Education with distinction from the University of Saskatchewan. Some of his training includes Negotiation from Sauder School of Business, Leadership Development from St. Lawrence College, Project Management Principles, and Techniques, Automating Project Management.

Ron enjoys spending his spare time at the lake with his wife and two kids. His interests include golf, hockey, making fishing lures, horsemanship, scuba diving, hunting, volunteer firefighting, coaching hockey, and competing in fishing derbies.

Alan joined the Kitsaki team in October of 2019. His current role as Chief Financial Officer sees him directing the financial accounting, tax and treasury operations, and providing information that guides Kitsaki’s strategic financial decisions. A strong leader with a big-picture approach to planning and reporting, Alan does everything from formulating budgets and ensuring expenses are in line with project revenues, to staying in tune with regional and provincial tax laws ensure all operations are maximized and in line with regulations.

Before Kitsaki, Alan earned a decade of experience in public accounting with a wide range of clients in multiple sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, wholesaling, and construction. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce in Finance & Accounting and Master of Professional Accounting at the University of Saskatchewan, and achieved his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in 2011.

Alan is dedicated to community, an active member of the Kinsmen Club, and volunteer with a number of organizations. He lives in Saskatoon with his wife and two sons. When he’s not working, volunteering, or with family, you may find him on the golf course, rugby pitch, or enjoying the outdoors.

Jennifer joined Kitsaki in March 2023 with over 15 years of experience in storytelling, brand leadership, and digital transformations for both the public and private sectors. She is also an active Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) member.

As the Director of Marketing and Communications based in Saskatoon, she provides strategic leadership in developing, implementing, and measuring corporate communications across Kitsaki’s group of companies.

Jennifer is currently an MBA candidate, holds a Master’s in Communications, and has diplomas in Broadcast Journalism and Visual Arts. She recently attended Harvard Business School and is also certified in Strategic Communications and Change Management from the University of Ottawa.
Outside of work, she’s most likely at a rink, ball diamond, football field, or dance competition, cheering for her two children with her husband, Bryce.

She is a proud citizen of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan.

Shawna is Office Manager for Kitsaki Management. She works in collaboration with the CEO, senior leadership, and the General Managers of the Kitsaki Controlled Entities to ensure systems, processes, and personnel within the respective administration are aligned with the strategic direction and company-wide initiatives. Shawna has a degree in Sociology from University of Saskatchewan and Master Certificate in Project Management from Edwards Executive Education, Saskatoon, SK.

Tom J. McKenzie has had a long and varied career with Kitsaki and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. He is currently the Lands Claims Coordinator and is nearing the completion of a “Loss of Use” claim that has been in the works for many years.

Tom was one of the first band members to graduate from the LLRIB Teacher Training Program (1978-1981). He also received his Bachelor of Education degree (with distinction) in 1981, from the University of Regina.

Tom, who lives in Stanley Mission and is also a former Chief and a councillor for the Band, has been involved with Kitsaki since its inception in the early 1980s. During that time, Tom was Operations Manager in 1987. Kitsaki started joint ventures with mining companies and were able to get band members employment in areas such as guides, mapping, line cutting and prospecting.

He has attended courses at the Banff School of Advanced Management where he learned about finance, law, negotiations, environmental conflict resolution, organizations, micro and macro economics.