Celebrating key milestones while recognizing leadership transition and future priorities
The International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) is pleased to announce the release of its 2025 Annual Report, the launch of a new 2025-2028 strategic plan, and the appointment of Karri Howlett as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. The organization also extends its sincere appreciation to outgoing Chair Steve McLellan for his leadership and service.
IMII’s 2025 Annual Report highlights a year of transition, growth, and collaboration across Saskatchewan’s minerals innovation ecosystem. It showcases more than $3 million in active innovation projects, expanded workforce development and scholarship initiatives, strengthened industry and academic partnerships, and continued progress in advancing safety, sustainability, and operational innovation within the mining sector.
IMII’s new 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, establishes priorities around three core pillars of People, Knowledge, and Innovation. The plan outlines IMII’s priorities across core innovation drivers of safety, sustainability, reliability and efficiency, and workforce development focus areas across trades, pathways to mining and mining and innovation skills. IMII’s efforts seek to enhance collaborative innovation capacity in Saskatchewan that will support long-term industry growth and competitiveness.
“2025 was a transformative year for IMII and one that positioned the organization for its next phase of growth and impact,” said Lesley McGilp, Executive Director of IMII. “Through the development of our new strategic plan, continued investment in innovation and workforce development, and strong partnerships across industry, academia, and government, IMII is building meaningful momentum for the future of Saskatchewan’s minerals sector.”
IMII is also pleased to welcome Karri Howlett as the organization’s new Board Chair. With more than 20 years of experience in corporate strategy, governance, risk analysis, and sustainability leadership, Karri brings a wealth of expertise and a strong collaborative approach to the role. Her extensive board and executive leadership experience across the mining, energy, consulting and post-secondary sectors will help facilitate the board’s strategic guidance of IMII as it advances its new strategic plan and continues to strengthen Saskatchewan’s minerals innovation ecosystem.
“IMII is entering an exciting new chapter,” said Karri Howlett, incoming Chair of the IMII Board of Directors. “The organization has built a strong reputation for collaboration and innovation, and I look forward to working with the Board, staff, members, and partners to continue advancing this important work and supporting the long-term success of Saskatchewan’s minerals sector.”
IMII extends its sincere appreciation to outgoing Board Chair Steve McLellan for his leadership and commitment to the organization. During his tenure, IMII advanced key innovation initiatives, strengthened partnerships across industry and academia, and completed its renewed strategic plan, positioning the organization for continued growth and impact.
As IMII executes on its 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, the organization remains focused on bringing together industry, post-secondary institutions, government and solution providers to support innovation, workforce development and sustainable growth across Saskatchewan’s minerals sector.
Additional Information:
IMII’s office is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. Treaty 6 encompasses the lands of the Cree, Dakota, Nakota, Saulteaux (SO-TOE) and the Homeland of the Métis Nation. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our enduring relationship with one another and recognize the importance of reconciliation in building a shared future.
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