Ruth Howes, Executive Director

Ruth Howes was born and raised on a farm in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, where she developed a strong connection to agriculture and rural communities. She attended the University of Saskatchewan, studying Agriculture, and began her career in the grain industry.

For 12 years, Ruth worked as a grain buyer, spending the last six years as a District Manager. She then transitioned into logistics, serving 11 years as a Logistics Coordinator and Manager with a Canadian pulse exporter, ensuring efficient supply chain operations.

After nearly two decades in agriculture and logistics, Ruth shifted her focus to human services, dedicating the next 16 years to community support and advocacy. She spent 11 years as a Regional Manager, supporting newcomers to Northeast Saskatchewan, helping them integrate and thrive. She then took on the role of Director of Operations for North East Outreach and Support Services, leading initiatives to assist individuals and families in need.

With a career spanning agriculture, logistics, and human services, Ruth has built a legacy of leadership, problem-solving, and community impact.

Judy Senderak, Program Manager

Judy joined POP in 1993. Prior to joining the agency she worked as a nanny, a stay at home mom, and she also worked in retail. Judy joined POP as a relief worker at SARCAN in Porcupine Plain, and shortly after, moved into management of the depot for the following five years. She helped set up POP’s new day program in Hudson Bay prior to moving to Porcupine Plain as an assistant to the Program Manager initially, and then as an assistant to both the Program Manager and the Office Manager. She was recruited as POP’s Program Manager in May 2016.

Len Pelletier, Production Manager

Len joined POP as an assistant production manager in July 2011 and moved to his current position as Production and Maintenance Manager in 2014. For the past 30 years he worked in progressively more senior positions in the plywood industry in Hudson Bay, SK and Golden, BC. In 2001 he left the industry and worked as a contractor and renovator in a home based business. He then took on a maintenance position with a housing developer in Prince Albert before joining POP.

Amber Kiehn, Office Manager

Amber came to POP in 2016 as a part-time Assistant to the Office Manager. She was promoted to Office Manager in 2019. Prior to Amber’s work with POP, she worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for an oilfield servicer in Alberta. She also works part-time as a bookkeeper for a local autobody shop in Porcupine Plain. In addition to her work, Amber and her husband raise cattle. She is also active in a number of sports organizations within Porcupine Plain.

Kayleigh Galacz, Assistant Program Manager

Kayleigh joined POP as Assistant Program Manager in 2023. She holds a degree in Anthropology from the University of Saskatchewan, where she also minored in Psychology. Before Kayleigh came to POP, she worked for several seasons as the Curator at the Porcupine Plain and District Museum, as well as spending a decade in the childcare sector. Outside of work, Kayleigh and her husband enjoy spending time in the community, supporting local organizations, and travelling with their friends.