Our Team
Meet Our Team
At Prairie Berries, we are more than just a company — we are a family. Our success is built on the passion, hard work, and dedication of our team. From the fields to the boardroom, each member of our team plays a crucial role in bringing the highest-quality Saskatoon berry products to the market. We are proud of the diverse group of individuals who contribute to our mission of creating sustainable, delicious, and nutritious products.
Sandy ZielinskiOwner & CEO
Sandy leads Prairie Berries with a lifelong passion for Saskatoon berries and a deep connection to the Prairies. Her vision is rooted in preserving the heritage of this uniquely Canadian fruit while expanding Prairie Berries’ presence across both domestic and international markets. Under her leadership, the company continues to grow as a trusted source of high-quality Saskatoon berry products, recognized for their quality and authenticity.
Meghan Zielinski Ha Chief Branding Officer
Meghan brings creativity and strategic insight to every aspect of our brand. With a BBA and a hands-on approach, she leads initiatives across marketing, communications, and financial operations. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her traveling or spending time with her husband and fur- babies.
Blake ZielinskiChief Agricultural & Farming Officer
Blake serves as Chief Agricultural & Farming Officer at Prairie Berries, bringing authentic farmer identity and credibility into leadership at the ownership level. Coming from a multi-generational Saskatchewan farming family and as a working farmer himself, he provides strategic agricultural counsel and validates key farming decisions across operations.
Sean ZielinskiHead of Operations & Orchards
Sean brings extensive hands-on agricultural experience and strong operational management skills. Known for his practical mindset and steady decision-making, he excels at keeping operations running smoothly under pressure. A respected team member, Sean also enjoys quadding, hunting, ice fishing, and time with his family.
Sean ZielinskiSenior Director Of Sales & Business Development
Roy brings deep experience across finance, agriculture, and international trade. He started his career in finance in Kuwait before moving into Canada’s agriculture industry in 2011, where he held progressive roles at Walker Seeds, Legumex Walker, Scoular, and Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership. Roy brings strong market development experience and a proven ability to build and grow international agricultural trade relationships.In his personal time, Roy enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, hunting and gardening.
Tai Ha Director, Sales & Product Commercialization
With over six years of experience in business growth and marketing, Tai brings strategic thinking and entrepreneurial drive to Prairie Berries’ commercial efforts. Backed by a BBA and a PR certificate from the University of Regina, he focuses on sales strategy, customer relationships, and bringing products successfully to market. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the Saskatchewan countryside and fishing in every season.
Josue David SalgadoFood Safety Manager
Josue brings over a decade of experience in food safety and quality assurance, ensuring Prairie Berries meets the highest standards. Known for his attention to detail and problem-solving skills, he plays a key role in maintaining smooth and safe operations. Outside of work, Josue enjoys graphic design, drone photography, off-roading, and spending time with family and friends.
Melvin Antonio SequeiraOperations Manager
Melvin is known for his strong work ethic and problem-solving mindset, always guided by the belief that “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” His journey in food processing began in his mother’s bakery in Nicaragua and continued through formal training in Costa Rica. Outside of work, Melvin enjoys spending time with his daughters, attending Spanish church services, and staying connected to his roots.
Juan Carlos Torpoco Order Desk Coordinator
Juan Carlos plays a crucial role in our team, efficiently managing incoming customer orders with precision. He collaborates closely with warehouse and logistics teams to ensure seamless order processing from start to finish.
Tristan Badger Accounting Administration & Indigenous Insight Lead
Tristan brings a rich background in education, with a focus on Indigenous knowledge, land-based learning, and early childhood development. She is Anishinaabe (Saulteaux) from Cote First Nation and Zagime Anishinabek, and holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina. Outside of work, Tristan enjoys camping and spending time with family.
Alam Parwez Accounting Administrator
With over five years of experience in accounting and tax firms and an Accounting Certificate from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Alam brings a solid foundation of problem solving and precision to the Grasslands team. His work in data entry and bookkeeping supports the smooth flow of our operations and helps keep things running with accuracy and accountability.
Dastu Omer Marketing Specialist
Dastu brings a strategic and creative edge to Prairie Berries, combining her background in Computer Science and Psychology with hands-on marketing experience. She leads social media, SEO, and content creation, helping strengthen the brand’s visibility and voice. Outside work, she enjoys yoga, biking, exploring new foods, and spending time with loved ones.
Mariana KuzeliakGraphic Designer
Mariana brings creative flair and design expertise to the Prairie Berries marketing team. A Graphic Design graduate from Lviv National Academy of Arts, she combines artistic skill with IT sector experience to create visually engaging content. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling—having explored 11 countries—and finds inspiration in baking and discovering new cultures.
Reyna Isabel Garcia AnguloValue Add Production Manager
Reyna Isabel Garcia Angulo brings over 12 years of food processing experience to her role, with a background in bakeries and restaurants in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. She’s passionate about turning fresh berries into high-quality, delicious products. Outside of work, Reyna enjoys cooking, evening walks, and spending time with her daughters and extended family.
Alana Welscher Production Worker
Alana is a true jack of all trades at Prairie Berries, helping keep production running smoothly. From making pies and grading berries to operating equipment, her adaptability and attention to quality make her an essential part of the team. Alana thrives in a supportive, team-driven environment and loves the opportunity to keep learning and growing every day.
Ismael Reyes MendozaOrchard & Processing Technician
With expertise in welding and maintenance, Ismael ensures equipment remains in optimal condition and operations proceed efficiently. Renowned for his problem-solving abilities and dependability, he is a trusted resource for maintaining seamless farm productivity.
Jonny Francisco Obando Gonzalez Orchard & Processing Technician
Jonny supports a range of activities at Prairie Berries, from orchard care and irrigation to cleaning, packaging, and preparing fruit for shipment. He joined the company at 19 and brings experience in both agriculture and food production. Outside of work, he enjoys studying English and keeping in touch with his family in Nicaragua.
Wilmer ReyesOrchard & Processing Technician
Wilmer has been with Prairie Berries for eight years, supporting machinery maintenance, fruit harvesting, and berry processing. With experience in carpentry, mechanics, and welding, he brings valuable skills to the team. In his free time, he enjoys soccer, visiting lakes, shopping, and connecting with his family.
Victor Barquero Lopez Orchard & Processing Technician
Victor has been with Prairie Berries for nearly a decade, supporting orchard maintenance, spraying, harvesting, and berry processing. He has a background in sales and business administration. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring new places and relaxing.
Miguel Jarquin Orchard & Processing Technician
Miguel supports orchard maintenance, carpentry, and fruit processing at Prairie Berries, drawing on his background in farming and Agricultural Engineering. He enjoys exploring the city, cooking, and staying connected with his family.
Flavio "Chico" Rodriguez ToledoOrchard & Processing Technician
Flavio supports orchard maintenance and assists with harvesting, cleaning, and packaging Saskatoon berries. With a background in construction and tailoring, he brings practical skills and adaptability to his work. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, visiting new places, and staying in touch with family.
Elio MartinezOrchard & Processing Technician
Elio brings hands-on experience and a strong work ethic to his role at Prairie Berries, where he supports both orchard operations and the cleaning and packaging of Saskatoon berries. With a background in agriculture and construction, Elio has always been drawn to work that is active, practical, and connected to the land. With a background in agriculture and construction, Elio took a leap of faith moving to Canada and starting something new. Now in his fourth year with the company, he takes pride in the work he does and the team he’s part of.
Jose Mizhael Reyes Orchard & Processing Technician
Jose brings a hands-on background in construction, painting, and deliveries to Prairie Berries. He supports day-to-day operations across facility maintenance, orchard work, and fruit processing, including packaging, freezing, and preparing Saskatoon berries for shipment. His work helps ensure everything runs smoothly and the fruit is handled with care at every stage.
Karina Gonzalez Orchard & Processing Technician
Karina works in the commercial kitchen, supporting value-added processing and production. She’s closely involved in the work of developing and manufacturing products, where consistency, quality control, and the ability to scale from test batches to full production runs all matter. With a background in business ownership in Nicaragua, she brings a strong understanding of what quality looks like from a customer’s perspective and why consistency is critical in commercial food production.
Alexander RizoOrchard & Processing Technician
Alexander works primarily on the processing line, supporting cleaning, packaging, and freezing operations. When things ramp up, he also steps into the commercial kitchen to help with value-added production. With a background in baking from Nicaragua, he’s comfortable in food production environments, detail-oriented, and able to stay steady under pressure.!
Marvin Martinez Orchard & Processing Technician
Marvin is the newest member of the team, bringing hands-on experience as a carpenter from Nicaragua. His background carries through into the day-to-day work of maintaining infrastructure, handling repairs, and supporting construction projects across the orchard and processing operations.