Ingrid Cazakoff of Shaunavon has been named the new CEO of Heritage Saskatchewan.
Cazakoff, who has been the Director of the Grand Coteau Heritage and Cultural Centre for almost three decades, will start her new job on Sept. 1.
“The decision to apply for the position - and ultimately to accept it - didn't come easy,” said Cazakoff. “I’ve been here at the Grand Coteau Centre for 28 and a half years and have loved working here. I have to thank everyone that I’ve worked with over the years - the volunteers and staff - because they have been great.
“But I guess you need to seize these types of opportunities when they happen because they don’t come along very often.” 
Heritage Saskatchewan is a non-profit, community-based organization that represents the collective voice for heritage activity and interests throughout the province of Saskatchewan. Its members advocate preserving our collective heritage for future generations and advancing the public agenda on heritage-related issues.
Heritage Saskatchewan operates under the guidance of a board of directors whose members come from across the province.
“We are very excited to have obtained the services of someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Ingrid in developing and advancing the interests for the broad heritage community in Saskatchewan,” said Heritage Saskatchewan President Kristin Enns-Kavanagh. “Ingrid brings to Heritage Saskatchewan her years of experience as the head of the Grand Coteau Heritage and Cultural Centre in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, as well as her insights as a senior volunteer and board member in the cultural sector.”
Cazakoff has served on a variety of boards at both the local and provincial level. She is a former member of the Museum’s Association of Saskatchewan and more recently had been the appointed Chair of the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, a provincial government granting agency.
“I have a real passion for heritage,” stated Cazakoff.  “I was chair of the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation and that’s been the hardest thing to give up.”
“One of my most important roles as CEO will be to work with government to increase awareness and funding for heritage,” said Cazakoff.
The Interim CEO for Heritage Saskatchewan had been Ken Alecxe, President of Alecxe Business Consulting.
Cazakoff says she applied for the job but never really thought she would be offered the position.
She described the interview process as a “grueling” one that included a field of candidates who were eventually whittled down after a series of lengthy phone and face-to face interviews, along with the written assignment.
“I jokingly said that if I got through all these interviews that I think I can do the job,” laughed Cazakoff.
“Sometimes I wonder if I’m crazy,” she joked. “I just turned 52 last week and I’ve asked myself ‘why am I doing this instead of retiring.?’  But you are never too old to learn new skills and I’m really excited about starting this new position.”
Cazakoff says the family has no immediate plans to leave Shaunavon and that her husband John, a long time teacher at Shaunavon High School, will remain working at the local school.
Cazakoff intends to travel between Regina - where her new office is located - and Shaunavon on a weekly basis.
“I hope to come back on weekends,” explained Cazakoff. “But we will still be making Shaunavon our permanent residence.  We still love it here. Unfortunately though, opportunities like this don’t always find themselves in the community where you reside.”
Enns-Kavanagh went on to point out that “Ingrid was on the Interim Heritage Board of Directors and has a great sensitivity for member-based cultural organizations, as well as a keen perspective on heritage in rural Saskatchewan.”
Cazakoff will stay working at the Grand Coteau Centre until the end of August.
“I can’t emphasize enough the support I have received from the community and the staff and volunteers,” added Cazakoff. “We have worked well together as a team and I am confident that the transition will be a smooth one.  There are a great number of people right from the Board members to staff and volunteers still willing to move the Grand Coteau Centre forward as an integral part of this community.  There’s been a number of changes over the years and I have been so grateful that I have been a part of the change. I am excited about my new position and also excited about the directions that the Grand Coteau Centre will be moving towards under new leadership. It’s all good.”