Samantha is a Registered Professional Planner with over 15 years of experience leading comprehensive planning initiatives across Saskatchewan and beyond. At Prairie Wild Consulting, she brings deep expertise in community visioning, policy development, and implementation frameworks that span economic development, housing and homelessness, land use, heritage, arts, culture, and evaluation. Samantha has successfully managed and facilitated inclusive, strengths-based planning processes for municipalities and districts, Indigenous Nations, community organizations, and regional partnerships.

Samantha is known for her ability to create collaborative spaces where diverse voices shape practical, future-oriented strategies. Her approach integrates reconciliation, equity, and sustainability principles throughout all stages of planning and engagement.

Samantha is an active leader in the planning and community development sector. She currently serves on the Board of the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Prairies Chapter, the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation, and the Standards Advisory Committee for the Professional Standards Board for planning in Canada. Her past leadership roles include serving on the CMHC Housing Supply Challenge Advisory Committee and the Executive of the Saskatchewan Professional Planners Institute.

To deepen her practice, Samantha completed a Certificate in Group Facilitation from the University of Saskatchewan and received international training through the Salzburg Global Forum for Cultural Innovators in Austria.

Through her work, Samantha is committed to advancing inclusive, locally grounded, and innovative approaches to planning that support stronger, more resilient communities.

Education

• Certificate – introduction to Group Facilitation University of Saskatchewan – Centre for Continuing & Distance Education
• Bachelor of Arts, Geography (Hon) University of Saskatchewan

Professional Designations and Memberships

• Registered Professional Planner, RPP
• Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, MCIP
• Member of the Saskatchewan Professional Planning Institute, SPPI
• Member of the International Association of Public Participation, IAP2

Achievements and Awards

• Young Cultural Innovator, Salzburg Global Institute, 2020
• Award of Excellence in Reconciliation, Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance, 2020
• Provincial Planning Award of Excellence in Planning Practice, Saskatchewan Professional Planners Institute (SPPI), 2017

Volunteer Involvement and Service

• Chair of the Standards Committee for the Planning Profession in Canada, 2022-2024
• Board Member and Past Chair of the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Prairies Chapter, 2015-Present
• Board and Executive Member of the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation, 2021-Present
• Board Member of the Saskatchewan Heritage Review Board, 2024-Present
• Provincial Co-Representative National Urban Indigenous Coalition Council, 2018-Present
• Council member on the Saskatchewan Professional Planners Institute, September 2017-2020
• Co-Presenter – Planning for Community Action through Culture: The Case of Developing Prince Albert’s Municipal Cultural Action Plan (and leading to a change in its municipal culture), Intersecting Innovation Saskatchewan Professional Planners Institute Annual Conference, 2017
• Co-Presenter – The Other Side of the Tracks: Moose Jaw South Hill; Revitalizing a Historic Mixed-Use Neighbourhood, Thrive Canadian Institute of Planner, 2015
• June 2010-June 2011 – Board member for Meridian Community Futures