Lenore Swystun was raised at her family’s homestead on the shores of Redberry Lake, where her father’s 25 years of community service inspired Lenore to become an elected representative, community economic developer and small business owner.
Lenore has dedicated more than 20 years to creating a better Saskatoon, as a business owner with an active career in community, urban and regional economic development. She has volunteered on more than a dozen local committees and boards of directors and is involved in international development work. As a mentor for Leadership Saskatoon, she has spoken to many groups on citizen engagement in government, the future of Saskatoon, regional economic development, and the values of leadership. Lenore is
tireless in her commitment to innovation and excellence in creating a great Saskatoon.
Lenore is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with a Master’s Degree in Sociology in rural and regional studies. She also graduated from the Centre for the Studies of Cooperatives, Cooperative Enterprise Development Program where the focus was on developing a cooperative business.
Lenore co-created the nationally recognized Core Neighbourhood Youth Coop, where youth designed their own employment cooperative, recycling household articles into products for sale. The program expanded to include the development of youth theatre for the Saskatoon Fringe. Contacts made through the Youth Coop led to Lenore’s love of art and culture, which is evidenced by the ideas she has spun into gold–Saskatoon Symphony under the Stars, co-starting the Refiner’s Fire Choir, mixed media marketing of Persephone Theatre productions and a four-year contract as general manager of the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival.
In 2000, Lenore was elected as Ward One City Councillor where she was successful in working with Council and the Administration to achieve exciting and innovative opportunities for Saskatoon people including proposing and/or implementing:
- the development of the Enterprise Zone (a development incentive for Saskatoon’s Core Areas);
- the creation of the Saskatoon Naming Committee;
- a strategy to ensure consistent and appropriate public involvement in decision-making;
- a citizen’s centennial committee to oversee the provincial, municipal and university celebration activities;
- the creation of an accessibility policy for municipal developments;
- the creation of a special events policy;
- the expansion of the Communities in Bloom program including hosting the national conference and creating a local Communities in Bloom competition;
- the nationally awarded Local Area Plan Program (a
citizen-based community planning initiative) adopted
as an ongoing operational program within the City of
Saskatoon.
Lenore’s experience has gained her recognition as an expert on municipal government. She champions policy development that strengthens communities. She is a proven leader in creating innovative incentives and programs. She is respected for her commitment to open and transparent government that ensures citizens are included in the decisions that affect them.
Lenore is committed to work through cooperation, partnerships and strong community leadership, to create a Saskatoon renowned for its cultural, environmental and social innovation as much as for its business and science innovation; a city celebrated for its planning as much as for its growth; and a city acclaimed for its citizens’ engagement and empowerment as much as for its ability to get things done.
About Lenore (PDF File)
