Founder and Chair Sarah often jokes that she started PRISM to find a date, but the truth runs deeper. After her partner of ten years left shortly after moving to Moose Jaw, she realized how difficult it was to find community. Rather than simply complain, she chose to create a solution, and PRISM was born.
Sarah served 26 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, including deployments with both the Navy and the Air Force. Her career took her from the decks of naval vessels in Somalia, Haiti, and the former Yugoslavia to service in Afghanistan with the Air Force. That experience shaped her commitment to teamwork, resilience, and service — values she carries into her community work today.
Beyond PRISM, Sarah serves as Treasurer on a local recreation board, fosters cats for SCRAPS, and continues to support the inclusive Heathen kindred she helped to found. She is also working toward her lay ministerial certificate with the United Church, seeking to help fill the spiritual and community vacuum left by the loss of St Andrews. Whether through military service, volunteering, or advocacy, Sarah has always worked to strengthen community and create spaces where everyone belongs.
Patti Sterzer was born in Moose Jaw and spent her school years in the town of Balgonie. After graduation she moved back to attend Saskpolytech and then again 7 years later after living in Saskatoon and Regina to raise her family. Moose Jaw kept calling her back. Patti has changed her career later in life to Human Resources because she believes people should be accountable for their actions but also deserve a second chance to get things right. Education is unending and that doesn’t just stop at school and the workforce but human ethics as well.
She has the fundamental belief that everyone deserves to be treated fairly in life and judgement should not be upon those that are protected under the charter. Patti felt called to step up after it was made evident in the last election how people are stepping backwards in that belief and it’s time for all allies to come together and help strengthen the voice of all communities under attack. No one in a community should feel unwanted, unloved, lonely or unsafe. As treasurer and a member of the board Patti values honesty, integrity and complete transparency. She believes she should be challenged everyday by herself and others to do better and be better.
Lisa E is the Secretary for PRISM. Born and raised in the North East of England, Lisa immigrated to Canada nearly 20 years ago, but when you speak to her, you will still hear her ‘Geordie’ accent. Lisa spent a decade working in Healthcare Admin in the UK, moving into Industrial Administration (Production and H&S) for 10 years on moving to Calgary, and then moved back to Healthcare Administration on moving to Moose Jaw in 2015. She spent 8 years coordinating the local MJ Family Medicine Residency Program and now works in Patient Safety and Experience.
Lisa was fortunate to be raised by loving and liberal parents, who taught acceptance, love and kindness. Lisa is committed to being an ally, not in name, but in action. She wants to make a difference not only through her role in healthcare, but through community and advocacy, helping to make sure supports are in place for those who need them, and that there is always a safe place for people to land.
Erin Hidlebaugh is the Program and Event Coordinator at AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan, where she leads inclusive programming rooted in harm reduction, community support, and queer advocacy. She previously worked with Moose Jaw Pride, building safer spaces and visibility for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in smaller communities. Erin is also deeply engaged in frontline support, with a passion for harm reduction and addressing homelessness, ensuring that people who use substances and those experiencing housing insecurity are met with dignity, compassion, and resources.
Beyond her professional role, Erin volunteers her time in local advocacy, including serving on the City of Moose Jaw’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. She brings forward a strong commitment to equity, working to make systems and services more inclusive for people with disabilities and marginalized groups. Erin’s advocacy is also shaped by her family. Her eldest child, an autistic queer youth, has been a vocal advocate for queer students’ rights and against Bill 137. Her youngest child, who has ADHD and learning disabilities, inspires her daily to push for more accessible, supportive environments for all young people. With a blend of professional expertise, grassroots experience, and lived understanding, Erin is dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion, harm reduction, and social justice at every level of community life.
