Regina—The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is thrilled to announce that its newly appointed Executive Director (ED) is Laurel Feltin. She officially took over as ED on December 2, 2024, when Jay Meyer stepped down, making her the first woman to hold this role in SARM’s history. It’s an honour that Feltin says is multifaceted.
“SARM has been my home and passion for the last 20 years,” says Feltin, “but what draws me most to this role are our members. Rural Saskatchewan people have that can-do attitude. They’re the ones who volunteer, and they’re the ones who step up to get things done. To me, being a part of that feels better than any accomplishment on my resume.”
SARM’s Acting President, Bill Huber, says he’s also excited for this new chapter and looks forward to working alongside Feltin to amplify the voice of rural Saskatchewan.
“Having worked with Laurel these last nine years, I know first-hand the magnitude of her leadership, expertise, and work ethic. It’s my absolute privilege to continue working with her as SARM steps into this province’s next chapter—one that rural Saskatchewan will significantly influence, structure, and write.”
March 11 – 13, 2025, will mark Feltin’s first Annual Convention as SARM’s ED. She says that her number one goal for the event is the same as her goal for the year:
“As someone who’s come up through SARM and benefited from the mentoring and care of those before me, I can tell you that I profoundly understand the value of being of service to others. That’s why I really want my focus this year to be on building relationships. That means seeing me walking around at conventions, not just shaking hands but asking members questions about what really matters to them. Yes, we hear their resolutions at sessions, but that’s not the same as getting a chance to touch base and find out what really matters to people at home. So that’s my goal this year—listening, learning, and building relationships. I can’t imagine time more well spent.”
-30-
For interview requests please contact:
Amy Roettger, Manager, Strategic Communications, SARM
aroettger@sarm.ca or 306-761-3730
Rustie Dean, Media Liaison, SARM
rustie.dean@gmail.com
Background: SARM is the independent association representing rural municipalities in Saskatchewan, serving as the primary advocate for its members before senior governments. SARM invites provincial news agencies to join us at convention as representatives from rural Saskatchewan municipalities converge to discuss and debate timely topics, elect officials, and hear the critical issues of Saskatchewan’s rural members. For more information on the convention (including an agenda and registration link), visit: sarm.ca/events/annual-convention-and-trade-show/.
