The Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association is pleased to announce it has added two dynamic new staff members to the team. Chris Gbekorbu, the SRA’s new Economist in Regina, and Samantha Krahn, SRA’s new Director of Government and External Relations in Saskatoon. A key goal of the amalgamation was to increase the strategic effectiveness of the SRA’s communications and to bring depth to the market reporting.
Chris Gbekorbu
“The SRA has lacked the ability to tell the full story when it comes to statistics and Saskatchewan’s economic picture. Chris’ education and skills, provide an important foundation and unique insight into the current and future housing market for both members and external groups.” – Jason Yochim, SRA CEO
Chris joins the SRA from his previous post as an Adjunct Professor with the University of Regina, the First Nations University of Canada, and Carleton Trail Regional College, where he taught economics, marketing and critical reading and writing courses. He also brings a wealth of experience from his time as a Business Writer and Marketing Analyst with Information Services Corporation (ISC) where he helped interpret technical information into business procedures.
Chris holds multiple degrees including a BA in English, a BA Honours in Psychology, an MA in English, a BSc in Economics and an MBA, all from the University of Regina.
As SRA’s Economist, Chris has contributed solid, impactful data to the membership, media and public, which has helped shape a positive narrative about Saskatchewan’s real estate industry during COVID-19. He has also been conducting research in several areas to determine the impact of the pandemic and ongoing economic uncertainty on Saskatchewan’s real estate industry. This research will prove valuable to our members as they navigate the market for clients in an era of social distancing. Chris will also support the Regina office in the role of Office Manager.
We are excited for Chris and his family as they just purchased a new home in East Regina and will be moving in August. Please be sure to send him a warm welcome when you are able to come into our offices again or send him a note at chris@sra.ca
Samantha Krahn
“The members of SRA have experienced significant wins in advocacy, as well as engagement with both members and external stakeholders in promoting the REALTOR® brand since Sam has joined the team.” Jason Yochim, SRA CEO
Samantha Krahn joins the SRA from Harris Greenaway Communications (HGC), a strategic communications firm based in Saskatoon. As HGCs Account Executive, Sam served clients both large and small, across a broad spectrum of industries and offered them her expertise in media and government relations, crisis communications, as well as strategy development and communication tactics. She is also a skilled media coach with strong ties to government on both sides of the aisle, provincially, municipally, and federally.
Sam holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Studies from the University of Saskatchewan.
As the SRA’s Director of Government and External Relations, Sam leads the SRA government relations (GR) activity for the GR committee, SRA media releases and media outreach, all SRA communication to members and external stakeholders and will be busy in coming months making further outreach to both members and the stakeholder community on behalf of SRA.
Since joining the SRA Sam has dramatically increased media coverage for the SRA and the REALTOR® brand, which helps to build positive relations with the public. She has helped secure several GR wins including changes to The Real Estate Act and The Non-Profit Corporations Act and is working to promote SRA services to our membership on behalf of our Education and IT teams. She is often behind the camera interviewing staff about internal projects as they prepare to roll them out to members. So keep an eye out. She may ask you to get in front of the camera too!
Call or email Sam if you have government relations or stakeholder opportunities and challenges you want to raise or discuss. 306.477.8195 samantha@sra.ca