Board Profiles

Board Chair

Whitney Beug

Whitney Beug has over 12 years' experience in the Crown sector, with the majority of her time spent in Human Resources specializing in training and development. She has extensive knowledge on developing and implementing strategies, policies, corporate training programs and facilitating leadership programs. Whitney has her Business of Administration Degree from the University of Regina and certificates in Adult Education and Professional Leadership. Whitney is certified in Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i 2.0/EQ 360) and Coaching. In 2020, Whitney decided to pursue her passion and lifelong dream of becoming a police officer. She was hired with the Regina Police Service as a Constable. 

Whitney places a high importance on giving back to the community and volunteering. She is enthusiastic about the mission and vision of Caring Hearts. Grief impacts everyone and Whitney understands the value Caring Hearts has within the community. She is excited to share her knowledge as part of Caring Hearts team.

Board Member

Kasiani Agioritis 

Ani Agioritis joined the Caring Hearts Board of Directors in 2021. She is currently a Domestic Tax Auditor with the Canada Revenue Agency. Ani studied at the University of Regina and graduated in 2015 obtaining her Bachelor of Business of Administration with a major in Accounting. She earned her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in 2017 while working at the office of the Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan.

Ani is excited to lend her education and work experience to the Audit and Finance Committee. She strongly believes that access to mental health healing through education and counselling is of extreme importance to those dealing with grief and loss in our community. Ani is passionate about volunteering to an organization that has the ability to improve access to mental health services provided in our province.

Board Member

Dan Gudmundson

Dan Gudmundson, a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), has worked in the accounting industry for over 15 years, with the past 7 years spent in senior leadership roles. Dan is currently the Director of Finance and Corporate Services with the Public Employees Benefits Agency within the Ministry of Finance. 

Being part of Caring Hearts Board of Directors allows Dan to contribute and support people experiencing grief and loss. Dan is passionate about giving back to the community by volunteering his knowledge and experience as an accountant and also as a leader and team member.

Board Member

Aaron Spelliscy

Aaron Spelliscy has been involved with Caring Hearts since 2016.  He started as a volunteer for the organization and became a board member in 2019.  Aaron is passionate about providing support for people grieving within the province.  

Aaron has 12 years experience working at the Conexus Credit Union. He is currently the Manager, Estate Payout. Aaron keeps busy in his spare time by being physically active, participating in hot yoga, Krav Maga cardio bootcamp and walking/running. Aaron also enjoy reading about mental health, watching sports (Go Riders!), and going camping.

Board Member

Jyoti Haeusler

Jyoti Haeusler has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Religious Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, a Masters of Arts degree in Religious Studies from the University of Regina, and a Juris Doctorate of Law from the University of Saskatchewan.  Jyoti is a partner at McDougall Gauley LLP, a full service law firm in Saskatchewan. Her legal practice focuses on Family Law and Immigration Law. Jyoti started as an articling student with the firm in 2010 and was hired on as an associate after her successful completion of her articles in 2011. Jyoti was asked to join the partnership in 2018.  

Jyoti is passionate about community involvement and believes that the work that Caring Hearts does in the community of Regina and in Saskatchewan is essential in improving mental health healing for those dealing with grief and loss. As a mother of two young children, Jyoti believes that being part of an organization that helps children cope through their journey of loss is incredibly rewarding.

Board Member

Mark Hillmer

Mark Hillmer joined the Caring Hearts Board of Directors in 2019. He is currently a Senior Auditor with SLGA and has over ten years of experience within the Crown and private sectors in a variety of diverse roles including Human Resources, Marketing, IT, Process Improvement and Enterprise Risk Management. Mark has his Bachelor of Business of Administration from the University of Regina with a major in Human Resources and Marketing. As an avid learner, he holds the CPHR, CIA and CRMA designations and is currently working on his MBA through the University of Western Illinois. 

Mark is passionate about volunteering his time to both his profession and to social causes, which is the reason that he joined the Caring Hearts Board of Directors. Being a people focused person, Mark wants to support a great organization, with a great mission, vision and values that support communities dealing with loss and grief.

Board Member

Zach Pengelly

Zach Pengelly graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Zach continued his education and obtain his Chartered Professional Accountant designation through CPA Saskatchewan. Zach was drawn to Caring Hearts because of the work the organization does and the real life impact they have on people coping with loss and hardships of loved ones passing. Zach, like many others have experienced loss and wanted to give back by volunteering his time and knowledge. 

Zach is excited to support Caring Hearts by being a board member and looks forward to seeing the organization grow. Zach is passionate about leading Caring Hearts into the future, to continue their mission.

Board Member

Sophie Grahame

Sophie Grahame has over twenty years experience as a social worker, working with youth and families in both clinical and administrative roles. Sophie has her Masters and Bachelor degrees in social work from the University of Regina and an Arts degree from Dalhousie University.  Sophie  is currently employed as a Director of Clinical Services at the Ranch Ehrlo Society. 

Sophie has seen the positive support provided by Caring Hearts at times when individuals are grieving and at their most vulnerable. She is proud to contribute her knowledge and experience to support Caring Hearts as a member of the Board of Directors. When Sophie is not busy with work and volunteering, she loves to spend time outdoors with her family, running around Wascana, and laughing often.

Board Member

Sharlene McGowan

Dr. Sharlene McGowan, PhD, is a former K-12 teacher, acting consultant, and high school counsellor, serving her city’s public-school division for 31 years in these capacities. She is currently employed as a mental health therapist and crisis counsellor with a national network offering employee and family assistance counselling. Among her therapeutic approaches is her passion for helping others to navigate daily grief journeys. She is a university lecturer involved with three separate teacher education programs for The University of Regina, First Nations University of Canada, and the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP). 

She has extensive experience in frontline mental health support work and is also an international speaker for Delta Kappa Gamma, an international organization of women educators. She is proud to be on the Board of Directors of Caring Hearts to help people in the community manage their own grief responses.