Regina
Saskatoon
General Inquiries
Who We Are
Our dedicated team members bring a wealth of expertise and experience in international trade and business development.
With a passion for supporting Saskatchewan exporters and promoting economic growth, our team is committed to providing outstanding services and programs to help businesses thrive in the global marketplace.
Get to know the individuals who make STEP’s mission a reality and discover the collaborative and innovative spirit that drives our organization forward.
Chris Dekker
Chris Dekker assumed the role of President & CEO with Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) in May 2015.
About Chris
President and CEO
Chris Dekker assumed the role of President & CEO with Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) in May 2015. He obtained an Honours Degree in Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan and worked in marketing with Maple Leaf Foods in Edmonton before joining the provincial government in a number of executive positions including Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition.
In 1996, he was appointed to the position of Manager of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Projects for the City of Saskatoon where his duties included Project Management for the River Landing redevelopment initiative. Chris returned to the Government of Saskatchewan in 2009 as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Investment Attraction for Enterprise Saskatchewan and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2010.
Before joining STEP, Chris served as the Associate Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy. He is an Accredited Public Relations Practitioner (APR), and two-time winner of the prestigious Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Public Service.
Angela Krauss
Since joining STEP in 2002, Angela has held a number of positions that assist Saskatchewan exporters enter and expand into markets.
About Angela
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Membership Development
Since joining STEP in 2002, Angela has held a number of positions that assist Saskatchewan exporters enter and expand into markets. Currently she leads the Marketing and Membership Development division with a focus on building membership and profiling their capabilities along with leading the marketing initiatives of the organization.
Before joining STEP, Angela received her Bachelor of Administration degree at the University of Regina with work experience from the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Regional Office.
Angela received her CITP designation from the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) in May 2005. Angela has been involved with other committees and working groups at both the national and provincial level including the Business Mentorship Institute of Saskatchewan, Trade Team Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Film and Video Industry Task Force.
Angela actively volunteers in the community and has previously served as a Board of Director for Regina Housing Authority, Dress for Success Regina and the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT).
Jeff Cooper
Since first joining STEP in 2012, Jeff has lead Saskatchewan exporters to reach new markets through trade missions near and far.
About Jeff
Vice President, Trade Development
Born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Jeff moved to Saskatoon in 2007 to attend the University of Saskatchewan. In 2011, upon receiving his Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Management, he went to work in the private sector. He spent a year and a half as an account executive with a local software company gaining extensive sales and technical experience.
Jeff joined STEP in November 2012 as the Technology and Marketing Coordinator. Shortly after joining STEP, Jeff moved to the Agri-Value team as a Trade Specialist. In November of 2017, he was promoted to Director of Agri-Value. Jeff left STEP in March of 2019 to pursue an International Sales role with a European based entity. However, in February of 2022, Jeff returned to STEP as the Sr. Director of Manufacturing & Technology. In May of 2014, Jeff obtained his Certified International Trade Professional designation through the Forum for International Trade & Training (FITT).
Pam Bartoshewski
Since joining STEP in 1997, Pam has been involved in several major projects and leads the organization’s financial operations.
About Pam
Chief Financial Officer
Pam Bartoshewski is the Chief Financial Officer at STEP and has been with the organization since 1997.
Prior to joining STEP Pam was employed at O & T Agdevco, Ltd. an international agricultural consulting firm in Regina that completed several projects through the Canadian International Development Agency and other international financial institutions.
Pam received her CITP designation from the Forum for International trade Training (FITT) in September 2004 and was on the Accreditation Committee for FITT for several years.
Pam was involved with the management of STEP’s International Projects Division which completed projects in Bulgaria and Ukraine. She has also served as the Saskatchewan representative for the Private Sector Liaison Officers Network and was involved in the administration of Trade Team Saskatchewan.
STEP Contact Information
Corporate Services
- Chris Dekker, President and CEO LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 787 1550 (Regina)
Telephone: 306 220 4592 (Saskatoon) - Pam Bartoshewski, Chief Financial Officer LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 540 3338 - Nicole Grande, Executive Coordinator LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 209 0056
Trade Development
- Jeff Cooper, Vice President, Trade Development LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 291 4260 - Ryan Niemela, Director, Energy & Mining LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 229 0604 - Stephen Froese, Trade Specialist, Agri-Value LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 229 7741 - Peter Siarkos, Director, Manufacturing & Technology LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 539 4895 - Tracy Gao, Trade Specialist, Agri-Value LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 227 1859 - Katie Simonson, Director, Agri-Value LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 270 1920 - Brennan Gasmo, Trade Specialist, Manufacturing & Technology LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 371 7024 - Nakita Williams, Trade Development Coordinator LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 510 1597 - Brittany Giesbrecht, Senior Administrative Coordinator LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 933 6551 - Yi Zeng, Senior Director, Asia LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 533 0738
Marketing & Membership Development
- Angela Krauss, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Membership Development LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 537 1093 - Réka Gajári, Senior Market Intelligence Specialist LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 510 8724 - Zasheer Shadab, Market Intelligence Specialist LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 510 2761 - Janice Lawless, Senior Market Intelligence Specialist
Telephone: 306 787 7928 - Jeff Thackeray, Senior Director, Market Intelligence LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 530 3914 - Kelsey Leptick, Membership Coordinator LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 541 9374 - Katya Tomlinson, Communications Specialist LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 526 7287 - Doug O’Brien, Senior Market Intelligence Specialist, LinkedIn
Telephone: 306 787 7940