People behind the work.
Meet Yellow Sky’s leadership and senior associates. A core leader stays accountable for your assignment, bringing in specialist expertise around your priorities.
Different expertise.
Shared responsibility.
Every Yellow Sky team works relationally, communicates clearly and leaves clients with something useful.
Select a portrait to read their biography.
Read all biographies as a list
Ken Okanee
President & CEO, Yellow Sky & Associates
Member of Thunderchild First Nation
Executive leadership, Indigenous education systems, governance, policy and strategic relationships.
Ken is a seasoned education leader with more than a decade of executive experience across provincial and First Nations systems. He has served as principal, superintendent and director of education, led governance and policy initiatives, and helped develop provincial and Nation-led strategies. Ken holds a Master of Education from the University of Saskatchewan and is a proud member of Thunderchild First Nation.
Heather Merasty
Vice President, Education Services, Yellow Sky & Associates
Member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
Education leadership, student supports, program development, consultation and executive coaching.
Heather is an educational leader with more than 23 years of experience focused on the benefit of Indigenous peoples and communities. Her career includes senior leadership with the Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority and Meadow Lake Tribal Council. She holds a Bachelor of Education with Distinction and is a proud member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
Heidi Abramyk
Vice President, Business Services, Yellow Sky & Associates
Citizen of Métis Nation–Saskatchewan
Governance, strategy, organizational change, engagement, communications and implementation.
Heidi is a communications and governance leader with more than 15 years of experience supporting Indigenous governments, non-profits and public-sector organizations. She provides strategic leadership in governance modernization, organizational development and communications. A proud Métis woman, Heidi holds a Master of Arts in Professional Communication and senior professional designations in communication and marketing.
Dean Biesenthal
Chief Operating Officer, Yellow Sky & Associates
Organizational development, human resources, policy, executive transitions and operating systems.
Dean is a human resources leader with more than 20 years of executive experience across public service, private industry and First Nations communities. His expertise spans organizational development, employee relations, policy, recruitment, job evaluation and HR strategy. Dean holds a Master of Educational Administration and several professional HR and management designations.
Dabney Warren
Associate, Yellow Sky & Associates
Member of Big River First Nation
Curriculum, inclusive education, language and culture, program design and education leadership.
Dabney is an education leader with extensive experience developing creative and engaging programs. As a former Director of Education for Big River First Nation Education Authority, Dabney built stakeholder relationships and led collaborative teams. Their work is grounded in Indigenous language and cultural revitalization. Dabney holds a Master of Education and is a proud member of Big River First Nation.
Dr. Sean Lessard
Associate, Yellow Sky & Associates
Member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation
Indigenous education, teacher development, research, youth leadership and wellness.
Sean is an educator and researcher in Indigenous education and teacher development. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Regina, and is deeply committed to Indigenous youth leadership and wellness. Sean holds a PhD in Elementary Education and is a proud member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation.
Andrew Morgan
Associate, Yellow Sky & Associates
Curriculum, pedagogy, instructional leadership, physical literacy and facilitation.
Andrew is an instructional leader with more than 20 years of experience in education, specializing in curriculum development and physical literacy. Through consulting work, he has supported First Nations communities in wellness, governance and policy development. Andrew holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Pedagogy and a Bachelor of Education.
Rob McKay
Associate, Yellow Sky & Associates
Education administration, operations, school services, policy and strategic planning.
Rob is a veteran education leader with extensive experience in First Nations education and administration. His background includes serving as Superintendent of Operations and School Services and supporting policy improvements for Big River First Nation. Rob holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Education.
Bart Kendel
Associate, Yellow Sky & Associates
Information technology, project management, budgeting, research and data systems.
Bart is an IT professional and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of expertise in information technology and project management. He spent 22 years working with a Saskatchewan First Nation, including 14 years as IT Director, and has led large-scale infrastructure, research and reporting projects.
Steve Merasty
Associate, Yellow Sky & Associates
Member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
Facilities, operations, project management, logistics, budgeting and business continuity.
Steve is a facilities management and operations leader with more than 22 years of experience, including extensive work in northern and remote communities. His expertise includes business continuity, efficiency, logistics and budgeting. Steve is a proud member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
Tim Russell
Associate, Yellow Sky & Associates
Agriculture, rural enterprise, operations, equipment, logistics and business management.
Tim is an agricultural operations and business leader with more than 25 years of expertise in farm management, agribusiness services and equipment operations. He brings hands-on leadership and practical insight across agricultural systems, infrastructure planning, logistics and rural enterprise management.