STAFF

An art school graduate with a Master’s in Anthropology and a PhD in Public Policy, for which her research focused on public value creation by small museums, Jen has a deep interest in museum management and improving the service museums can offer to the public.
She lives in the Caswell Hill neighbourhood of Saskatoon with her husband Richard and two children – Alexia (13) and Julian (10) – who all love to visit the Museum. Alexia adored the Ivana Kupala celebration in June 2022 and the talk by Nadya Foty-Oneschuk, and Julian, an avid reader of folklore, loves the ancient roots of the Trizub! For her part, Jen loves her small but creative and energetic team at the Museum and is excited to go to work with them every day.

Lindsey is excited to start her new journey at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, not only to learn more about her family’s Ukrainian roots (who came to Saskatchewan in the early 1900s), but to help share with Saskatoon and beyond the Museum’s beautiful space, its unique history, and the story of Ukrainians in Canada, both past and present. When Lindsey is not working, she’s also a practicing visual artist, whose work includes immersive A/V installations and performances that combine light, video, photography, and sound.
Fun fact: It was on a visit to the UMC a few years ago, during an exhibition of ceramics by Peter Rupchan, that Lindsey discovered the origins of a mysterious antique bowl that has been passed down in her family for generations!

Anastasiia is a book lover and loves to learn, so the UMC is a perfect work environment for her. She says she “loves the atmosphere,” which has “brought new breath” to her life.
This fall, she is taking a course in Archival Management and will continue to catalogue and digitize our library holdings. You will also often find her greeting guests and guiding tours. She speaks seven languages and can tell a good joke in all of them!

A University of Saskatchewan graduate with a Slavic Studies major, Anthropology minor, and a Heritage Language Certificate, she began her career working in Saskatoon’s Ukrainian community. Her interest in photography led to her own portrait business. When she is not at the museum, Karen is volunteering at one of Saskatoon’s many Ukrainian organizations.
Karen is developing educational programming at the museum for schools and seniors. Her favourite part about working at the museum it is a community gathering place where everyone knows your name.
Fun Fact: She is still a Ukrainian Dancer


With a BA in Archaeology and a Master’s in Art History, John has a keen interest in the preservation of culture and history, and the essential role that all museums play in this vital endeavour. When not at the Museum, John is a sessional lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan in the department of Art and Art History, and he has integrated his Museum research with his passion for art history by acquiring an interest in the essential role that Ukrainian artists have had – and continue to have – in the development of avant-garde art since the turn of the 20th century.

In his work at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, he enjoys observing the reaction of visitors to stories about Ukrainian traditions and history. Outside of working at the museum, Alex spends time with his family, and is discovering Canada step by step.
UMC Board of Directors 2023
Andy Iwanchuk (President)
Karen Wasylenko (Past President)
Evan Howlett (Treasurer)
Leona Faryna Bridges (Secretary)
Jordan Welbourne (Vice President)
Joan Borsa
Tanya Sotnikov
Jim Shevchuk
Patricia Ciona
Linda Balon-Smith
Suzanne Skwarchuk
Rose Fedorak
Tatiana Soltykevych