Council Members

Natalie Thiessen has been an RN since 2012 and is currently practicing in multiple domains of registered nursing practice; as an educator for Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Critical Care Nursing program, in clinical practice in various acute care settings, as a nursing research assistant at Athabasca University, and now in leadership on the CRNS Council.

Natalie graduated with a Master of Nursing from Athabasca University in the spring of 2022. As part of her degree, Natalie’s thesis research examined how self-employed RNs are regulated across Canada. This stimulated her desire to learn more about registered nursing regulation and motivated her to represent the public interest on the CRNS Council.

Arlene Kuntz has been a practising pharmacist for 43 years. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1981 from the University of Saskatchewan and has been a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) since 1999. She worked for 27 years in community pharmacy in Regina, and the last 16 years with the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch (DPEBB) within the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health. She was the Director of Professional Practice with the DPEBB from 2018 until she retired in August 2024.

Arlene wants to continue to support a health professional regulatory body in their role of protecting the public to assist in advancing the profession.

In addition to the CRNS, Arlene serves on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board.

Katherine Bergman has served in a variety of university leadership roles, including Dean of Science and Special Advisor to the President (Nursing) at University of Regina, as well as President St. Jerome’s University at University of Waterloo.  She has leadership and board experience with several charitable organizations and served as Chair of the Education committee, SRNA. Katherine also volunteers with the Salvation Army.

Katherine resides in Regina and the RM of Sutton, bringing an understanding of rural and urban experiences.  Committed to community development and education advocacy, her leadership style emphasizes inclusivity and collaboration, earning her respect across diverse sectors.

Gaston de la Sablonniere had been involved with the public almost all his life. Gaston retired from the RCMP in 1996 as an instructor at the RCMP Depot in Regina, SK. Since then, Gaston and his wife have owned and operated their sign shop until they decided to close the company in 2020 after 24 years.

While operating his business, Gaston was involved in several appeal boards. Gaston also served as a representative on several professional associations. Gaston’s involvement in the boards of directors, administrative tribunals, and professional associations is aimed at answering the public’s needs and understanding applicable laws and legislation through their proper applications.

Ryan Klassen currently serves as the Chief Legal Officer for the Brandt Group of Companies and has responsibility for all legal matters for Brandt globally. In his role, Ryan has assisted Brandt in its growth across Canada and by expanding into the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Before his role at Brandt, Ryan was an in-house counsel at Viterra Inc. and an associate counsel at MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP (now MLT Aikins LLP).

Ryan previously served as a Public Representative on the Saskatchewan Association of Medical Radiation Technologists and the board of directors for Junior Achievement.

Mariam Nganzo has over 20 years of progressive experience in registered nursing, holding various roles in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Before her current role, she worked in Alberta as a researcher at the University of Calgary, as an instructor with the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Regina, and as an RN in different units at Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, including float pool, ER, medical/surgical, and home care). Mariam works with Saskatchewan Polytechnic as a Faculty Member for the Registered Nurse Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses (RNBP-IEN, formally ONCIEN) in the School of Nursing.

Her vast experience, knowledge and roles in the registered nursing profession, teaching and leadership motivated her to join the CRNS Council.

Alison has been nursing for over 30 years in rural southeast Saskatchewan. She graduated with her Diploma in Nursing from SIAST in 1992. She has witnessed the sea of change in health care, starting under a local hospital board in an acute/LTC facility to the present LTC/stable outpatient department under the SHA.  She is passionate about maintaining professional standards during agency transitions and staffing challenges.

Alison believes that nurses' mentorship is critical to maintaining standards and RN retention. She has precepted and mentored students, grad nurses, IENs and new hires.

She is honoured to represent rural Saskatchewan and LTC nurses on the CRNS Council.