History was made when Laurel Feltin became Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM).

Feltin is the first woman in SARM’s history to hold the role of Executive Director. Her first day was December 2, replacing Jay Meyer who stepped down.

“I feel very proud,” she says, “it’s something I’ve looked forward to for a long time in my career.”

Feltin has worked at SARM for 20 years, taking on various roles from policy analyst to being a Director of SARM’s Communications and Program Branches.

“I’ve done everything in between except for become a lawyer, an engineer, or an accountant because I would need certifications to do that.” added Feltin.

She says the vision for her first year as Executive Director is simply listening to SARM members about the current issues they face, including tariffs from the U.S., taxes, municipal revenue sharing, and the Municipalities Act – the latter she says is open for feedback.

SARM’s Annual Convention is coming up next month and it will be Feltin’s first as Executive Director. She says it will feel different.

“My plan is to be walking around that Convention and talking to people versus delivering a Convention, which was my focus before, so I’m really looking forward to getting out there and talking to the folks.” she said.

Acting President of SARM Bill Huber notes he has worked alongside Feltin for nearly a decade and looks forward to “this next chapter.”

“Having worked with Laurel these last nine years, I know first-hand the magnitude of her leadership, expertise, and work ethic. It’s my absolute privilege to continue working with her as SARM steps into this province’s next chapter—one that rural Saskatchewan will significantly influence, structure, and write.”