Meet The Knight Archer
Insurance Team

Tracy Archer

President and CEO

Tracy has been actively working in the insurance industry for more than 20 years, with more than twelve of those in management. She has sat on many boards of directors throughout the industry as well as being named one of the top 45 2020 Elite Women in the Canadian insurance industry by Insurance Business Canada magazine. Outside of work she has been a driving member of the Brighter Futures for Children event committee where she helps raise money for children’s programming in Regina. She also has two young daughters who are involved in a lot of activities to keep them all busy.

Lillian Schweitzer

Chief Financial Officer

Lillian is a senior leader in finance and operations with over 35 years of experience. She provides successful financial stewardship, overseeing all aspects of financial reporting and regulatory compliance as well as operational leadership in the day-to-day functions of Knight Archer. She is a Certified Professional Accountant and has volunteered time on the CPA board and committees, among many others. As a certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor and Aromatherapist, she strives to reduce stress in everyone around her. She also loves spending family time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Steve Demchuk

Chief Operating Officer

Steve supports the entire Knight Archer organization in his role and enjoys being involved in all the operations and divisions we have. He has his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation as well as many years of management and project management experience to bring both education and experience to his role. Outside of work his kids keep him busy, and he also enjoys keeping active with swimming, biking, running, and SCUBA diving.

Suzanne Cairns

Executive Vice President, Insurance Operations

Suzanne is responsible for the oversight of the Motor License Issuing, Personal Lines, Commercial and Life, and Group divisions at Knight Archer. She has her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation as well as a long history of roles in insurance from client-facing sales to mentorship, support, and leadership. When not at work she loves to travel with her family.

Joe Acquah

VP, Technology

Joe handles all aspects of IT and technology for all 17 Knight Archer locations. He earned his marketing diploma from SIAST and has over 20 years of experience in IT Support and Management. Joe has two kids who keep him very busy outside of work and he coaches soccer and flag football as well as playing soccer himself.

Stefan Arnason

VP, Commercial Lines

Stefan has over 45 years of industry experience as well as his Chartered Insurance Professional and Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designations. In his role he mentors and leads the Commercial Account executives and offers them guidance to ensure everything runs smoothly. His family keeps him busy outside of work, and in any spare time he enjoys riding his motorcycle, curling, and travel.

Robyn Kitamura

Director, Human Resources

Robyn is passionate about building meaningful relationships and leans on her customer service and hospitality experience to make that happen. She is a forever student who will never be finished learning and is always happy to add more letters behind her name – whether that’s as a Registered Professional Recruiter, Chartered Professional in Human Resources, or her Masters’ Degree (which she hopes to finish soon). When not focusing her energy on the relationships at Knight Archer, or studying, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband watching NBA games.

Cathie McDonald

Director, Learning

Cathie has been building her career with Knight Archer for more than twenty years and has held multiple positions with us including selling insurance, being a team leader, and a branch manager. In her current position she enjoys the challenge of constantly increasing her knowledge as well as helping others train and learn. She has completed both her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation among many other certifications. When not at work, she loves to travel and spend time with family and friends.

Tim Kealey

Director, Branch Operations

Tim is a seasoned management professional with over 25 years of experience before he entered the insurance industry. He majored in finance at the University of Regina and has completed both the Canadian Securities Course and his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation. When not at work he loves to travel, cook, play outdoor sports, and keep his dog entertained.

Ted Kent

Director, Innovation and Special Projects

Ted spends a lot of his time at Knight Archer looking for opportunities to make life easier for our clients through innovation. He enhances digital operations with a solutions focus and leads special project that impact clients, insurance providers, and our team. He has been a branch manager as well as the Director of Digital Branch Operations and has his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation as well as a Canadian Security Course and Financial Planning 2 certificate. He loves to travel with his wife and find new lakes in Saskatchewan to take his fishing kayak out on.

Ashish Mahajan

Assistant Director, Life and Group Benefits

Ashish loves working with clients, and in his years with Knight Archer has developed a strong appreciation for the dedicated team he works with. He is extremely detail-oriented and enjoys diving into the specifics of his work as well as living up to the values of the company. Outside of work he is major foodie and broadens his horizons through travel.

Candace Lange

Director, Digital Operations

Candace has had many roles with Knight Archer including licence issuing, a customer service representative, an account executive, and now as branch manager. In her role she makes sure that the wheels don’t fall off the bus as she keeps staff trained, monitors daily operations, and helps staff and clients. She’s currently working toward both her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation as well as her Chartered Insurance Professional designation. She loves to spend time with her family and friends.

Laurie Friesen

Branch Manager, Winnipeg

Laurie helps with almost everything at the Winnipeg branch of Knight Archer, but her goal is always to give clients and staff the best, most positive atmosphere every single day. She is a level 3 broker and has set her sights on her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation for the near future. She’s been working in insurance for more than 30 years and loves to bring all that experience forward when helping her team be the best, most knowledgeable, and kindest they can be. She spends a lot of time in hockey rinks when not at work and loves to go on long walks with her thankful dog.

Tasha Lipinski

Branch Manager – Humboldt Main, Westwood, Lake Lenore, Muenster

Tasha has been working in insurance for many years doing everything from Customer Support Specialist to working as a rep to being an account executive before moving to her current role as a branch manager. She is working on her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker Designation and enjoys volunteering at events sponsored by Knight Archer and for her daughter’s soccer team and the local ski club. In the summer you’re most likely to find her camping or hitting the links, and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Brett Estey

Director, Commercial

Brett started at Knight Archer as a personal lines broker before he moved up to take over as a branch manager. In that role he oversees the day-to-day operations including supporting staff and making life easier for clients. He has a Bachelor of Arts with distinction as well as being a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker – achieving Honours in that. He is heavily involved in local sports including being a big fan, coaching youth football and baseball with the Ranch Ehrlo Youth Sports Venture and as a secretary for the Regina Riot football team.

Kim Hoftyzer

Customer Service Specialist Supervisor, Regina - Grasslands

Kim oversees her team and does her best to help them be as successful as they can. She trains, oversees their transactions to ensure that everything is done correctly and with great customer service, and celebrates their achievements. She also does a lot of paperwork. In her free time she volunteers at the Hungarian Club and loves spending time with her family and friends, especially on the swing in her backyard.

Janet Szautner

Customer Support Specialist Supervisor, Humboldt Main St.

Janet spends her days helping clients with their questions and transactions as well as training new staff and whatever else comes up that she can help with. She has her Fundamentals of Insurance, Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation, as well as Customer Service for Insurance Professionals certificate. She volunteers with the Carlton Trail and Ski Club and Arts Humboldt but also just likes to be at home with her husband and dogs.

Danah White

Senior Vice President, Branch Operations

Danah is a hands-on leader with 13 years experience in property and casualty insurance. Beginning with Indian Head Agencies in 2010, Danah started her career with Real Estate for Indian Head Agencies. Shortly after obtaining her Real Estate License, Danah took on the challenge of the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation and obtained that in 2013. Danah transitioned to a branch manager with Mainline Insurance Brokers and then Hub International in 2017. With Hub International, Danah took on increasing leadership roles from Branch Manager of three branches, to VP of Saskatchewan Operations, to VP of Manitoba Retail Operations and Personal lines. After the birth of her first grandchild in 2022, Danah moved back to Saskatchewan and joined Knight Archer Insurance as the Senior Vice President of Branch Operations.

In 2022, Danah obtained her MBA(HRMgt) from the Australian Institute of Business focusing on operational human resources and change management. Danah also has a Chartered Director designation from McMasters University.

Prior to the insurance and Real Estate, Danah was self-employed, owning a restaurant, bar, and catering company for 10 years.