Our team is tight-knit, linked by zu’s values. There’s a strong sense of accountability as each of our team members focus on personal development but take the time to mentor one another. These are the soccer moms, camp counselors and dungeon masters that make up the soul of our team.
Chief Executive Officer,
Founding Partner
Founding Partner
Ryan Lejbak
As Co-Founder and CEO, Ryan’s start at zu was a humble one, designing and developing for Saskatoon’s small businesses as he explored the uncharted territory of the Internet in 1995. His role today takes on many forms. Sitting on the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership Board and as a charter member of SaskTech, he promotes our growing industry and all of the innovation taking shape around us. Ryan is the steward of zu culture; he continues to make our office an inspiring place to work.
Chief Financial Officer, President,
Founding Partner
Founding Partner
Tony Zuck
Tony founded zu in 1995 with Ryan, right about the time the Internet started to get traction. Tony’s role is multifaceted but he gathers facts and develops strategy, whether financial, communications, usability or to make folks laugh. As an executive sponsor, he has a relationship with many clients, divided with the CEO. But his main focus is on zu's performance as a business, which keeps clients coming in and team members staying long term.
Strategy Director, Partner
Albert
Jame
Albert is zu’s resident storyteller, DJ, and camp counsellor. A regarded thought leader on Design Thinking and Digital Strategy, Albert regularly facilitates workshops and kicks off project strategy sessions. An equally passionate speaker, Albert is committed to proving that your brand is only as good as your experience.
People Strategies Director
Deidre
Larmour
Deidre brings a real world perspective to HR. zu employees are her clients and she values each employee’s development and growth. Using modern methods to monitor and assess personal goals, Deidre works with everyone to better themselves and the team as a whole.
Finance Director
Melissa
Arnott
Melissa is zu’s accounting extraordinaire. She’s been at zu since 2009, working closely with all clients through accounts receivable.
Account Director
Laurence
Nixon
Laurence builds relationships. Working with a committed team on the numbers end of zu, he oversees all of zu’s accounts and business development activities. Laurence supports our clients’ digital direction by bridging the gaps between production and long-term success.
Developer
Anja
Gilje
As a graduate of zu’s intern program, Anja completed her degree at the University of Saskatchewan and now focuses full time on Android and front-end web development. She works on Directwest and the Government of Saskatchewan.
Developer
Brady
Smith
Brady is the primary developer for both Android and Symfony. Brady co-built and trained people on the Selenium VM grid and corresponding testing strategies. He does back-end work, writes PHP, Java and JavaScript, developing for the Government of Saskatchewan and Directwest.
Designer
Brian
Ohlmann
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
Designer
Brittany
Lloy
In her years at zu, Brittany has continually expanded her skill set. She participated in an IDEO course for human centred design and in a Google Design Sprint in San Francisco. She works with Cameco, Sask Pulse Growers, Directwest, Government of Saskatchewan, Canpotex, and AltaGas.
Executive Assistant
Brooke
Bishop
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
Account Coordinator
Candace
Walz
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
UX Lead
Chelsey
Schaffel
Chelsey is a UX Lead at zu. She is a Certified Usability Analyst through Human Factors International and participated in the Design Kit: The Course for Human-Centered Design through IDEO.
Developer
Cody
Robertson
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
IT Manager
Dan
Brown
Dan is the IT Manager and jack of all trades when it comes to systems administration. He works with python, shell scripting, PHP, occasionally javascript, along with all of the associated data formats.
Developer
Dan
Surkan
Dan is an Acquia Drupal 8 Certified Developer and does backend development working in PHP. Dan's expertise lies in Drupal and Symfony. Since joining zu in 2014 he’s developing on projects for Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, Great Plains College, AltaGas, and Canpotex.
Developer
Devon
Rathie–Wright
With several years already in the industry, Devon started with zu in 2008. He brings experience in front-end development, accessibility, progressive web apps, and web performance. Devon currently works with Saskatchewan Blue Cross and Cameco.
Design & Strategy Coordinator
Jaime
Boyer
Jaime brings a multi-faceted background to the team. An Olympian and Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, she holds an Electronic Media Design Certification. She makes sure our Strategy and Design teams work as well-oiled machines and is the key link between zu's creative team and development teams.
Product Owner
Jennifer
Korney
Jen brings optimism and great customer service to zu. Joining the team in 2014, she is hard working and passionate about doing something she loves (this job!). Jen works closely with Directwest and Mysask411, along with 3 Ministries at the Government of Saskatchewan; Education, Cabinet and Trade & Export Development.
Business Development Manager
Kelly
Martin
Kelly builds strong relationships with prospective clients and puts them on the path to digital readiness. Kelly is a strategic thinker, holding an MBA and Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology.
Senior Developer
Kevin
Warrington
Kevin is a frontend developer, but he also works with Javascript, CSS and PHP. He is a Zend Certified PHP Engineer. Kevin joined zu in 2006 and is currently working on various projects with the Government of Saskatchewan.
Business Development Manager
Kit
Hillis
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
Product Owner
Kristi
Gibson
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
Developer
Maximilian
Gewers
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
Designer
Mellary
Bitner
Mellary specializes in wireframing and interaction design, visual design, user experience design, illustration, and lettering. She works on projects for Saskatchewan Blue Cross, Government of Saskatchewan, AltaGas and Great Plains College.
Developer
Michael
Hébert
Michael’s expertise includes front-end development, French language, and a keen eye for detail. With over 20 years of experience in web development, and 9 of those with zu, Michael works with clients such as Cameco, Saskatchewan Blue Cross, and Sask Pulse Growers.
Product Owner
Rebecca
Ready
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
Designer
Roberta
Barrington
Roberta is a creative problem-solver and critical thinker with aesthetic craftsmanship, advanced typographic and layout skills. She holds a Bachelor of Design and is a Certified Graphic Designer. Her projects include the Ministry of Education, Directwest and Canpotex.
Account Coordinator
Ryan
Nieman
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
Developer
Sadie
Swanson
Sadie has been a developer since 2008, and joined zu in 2015. Her specialties include Drupal and similar CMS development. Sadie is involved in projects with AltaGas, Great Plains College, Canpotex, Lentils.org, and the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation.
IT Specialist
Shane
Doucette
Shane has been providing desktop support and administration for OS X, Linux, and Windows clients since 2011. In addition he develops and maintains server solutions for web hosting, file serving, ftp, VPN, and other infrastructure.
Product Owner
Stephen
Yee
Stephen holds a B. Comm. from the University of Saskatchewan. He has a corporate communications and graphic design background and works with AltaGas, Lentils.org, Canpotex, Great Plains College and the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation.
Developer
Trupti
Desale
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.
UX Lead
Zach
Perkins
Working on my bio. Stay tuned.