Meet The Knight Archer
Insurance Leadership Team

Steve Demchuk

Chair

Steve supports the entire Knight Archer Insurance organization in his role and enjoys being involved in all the operations and divisions we have. He has his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) 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.

Robyn Kitamura she/her/hers

National Vice President, People & Culture

Robyn is committed to- and passionate about- fostering employee growth and engagement while developing meaningful relationships. Prior to joining KAI, she spent nearly twenty years in customer service mostly in the service and hospitality sector, including owning and operating a business. A forever student who is very rarely not enrolled in a course, program, or webinar, she is focused on learning from everyone in the room and becoming the best version of herself-- this year she is hoping to wrap up the final valuations in pursuit of her Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. In her spare time Robyn enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and spending time with her husband watching basketball or baseball.

Laurie Kelly she/her/hers

Director, Branch Operations

Laurie has been with Knight Archer Insurance since June, 2023. She obtained her CAIB designation with honors in 2013 and has over ten years of progressive insurance experience. Laurie has worked in multiple roles in the industry, including Motor License Issuer (MLI), Personal, Farm and Commercial Broker, and Branch Manager. Laurie is a team-focused leader who takes time to connect with her staff ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations in the branches while bringing a light-hearted mood wherever she is. She likes to spend her off time mastering escape rooms and hanging out with her two grandchildren.

Candace Lange she/her/hers

Director, Digital Branch Operations

Candace has held many roles with Knight Archer during her tenure including Motor Licence Issuer, Client Care Representative, Account Executive, Branch Manager, and now Director, Digital Branch Operations. In her role she makes sure that the wheels don’t fall off the bus as she keeps staff trained, monitors daily operations, innovates KAI's digital operations, and assists staff and clients. Last year Candace attained her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) designation, and has recently completed her final course in the pursuit of her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends.

Cathie McDonald she/her/hers

Director, Learning

Cathie has been building her career with Knight Archer Insurance for more than twenty years and has held multiple positions and worn many hats with us including selling insurance, being a team lead, and a branch manager. In her current position as the Director, Learning, Cathie leads the training, development, and licensing processes for all KAI employees; she enjoys the challenge of constantly increasing her knowledge as well as helping others train and learn. Cathie has attained her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) designation and many other insurance-related and non-insurance related certifications. When not at work, she loves to travel and spend time with family and friends.

Ted Kent

Director, Innovation & Special Projects

Ted spends a lot of his time at Knight Archer Insurance looking for opportunities to make life easier for our clients through innovation. He enhances digital operations with a solutions focus and leads special projects 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 (CAIB) 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.

Mathieu Cubizolles

Director, Technology

Bio and photo coming soon!

Laurie Friesen

Branch Manager, Winnipeg

Laurie helps with almost everything at the Winnipeg branch of Knight Archer Insurance, but her goal is always to give clients and staff the best, most positive atmosphere every single day. She is a Level 3 Licensed Broker and has set her sights on her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) 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 she/her/hers

Branch Manager, Humboldt & Area

Tasha has been working in insurance for many years doing everything from Customer Support Specialist, to working as a Client Care Representative, to being an Account Executive before moving to her current role as a Branch Manager. Tasha recently completed the requirements to attain her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker Designation (CAIB) 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.

Paul Ashton he/his/him

Branch Manager, Saskatoon

Paul has been with Knight Archer Insurance for nine years and enjoys his role as a trusted advisor to our clients. He enjoys educating them about the intricacies of insurance, while helping them understand the terminology, coverage options, and potential risks while empowering our clients to make informed decisions. During his tenure, Paul has spent seven years in Personal Lines, two years in Commericial Lines, and recently took the plunge and joined the leadership team as the Branch Manager for our Saskatoon offices. In this new role, he is looking forward to sharing his years of experience with the team and developing the same passion and enthusiasm for insurance and our clients. When Paul is not at work, he enjoys playing and watching many sports (especially basketball), and spending time with his wife and five children.

Quill Chen

Assistant Branch Manager

Bio and photo coming soon!

Janaya Hanley

Processing Team Lead

Bio and photo coming soon!

Janet Szautner

Supervisor, Customer Service Specialist- Humboldt & Area

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 (CAIB) designation, as well as Customer Service for Insurance Professionals (CSIP) 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.

Melinda Piesinger she/her/hers

Supervisor, Customer Service Specialist- Regina

Melinda is a Customer Service Specialist (CSS) Supervisor in our Regina offices. Melinda started working at Knight Archer Insurance in 2016 at the Victoria Ave. location as a part-time CSS, in 2017, she moved to the Rochdale location, and in 2022, she became a Supervisor. Melinda is a Notary Public and holds her Saskatchewan Restricted Auto License. Melinda has always enjoyed working with clients one-on-one and being able to solve their needs, and is really enjoying being in a leadership role where she is able to support new team members and help develop their skills. Melinda is looking forward to continuing her career climb with Knight Archer Insurance and really enjoys the flexibility she has in her role. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her children, family, and friends.

Dylan Gallon

Supervisor, Customer Service Specialist- Regina

Bio and photo coming soon!