Our Team

Aasa Marshall

Director of Communications

Aasa is our messenger and storyteller – she makes sure our materials are clear and sound just right. She oversees our social media channels, websites, newsletters, video creation, and smoothing the edges of anything we communicate with the world.

She finds it rewarding to make information accessible and loves telling the stories of our incredible clients who are changing their communities and economies for the better.

How she got here

Circuitously. Originally from Kyle, Saskatchewan, Aasa studied journalism and worked for a rural newspaper, but went on to be a bartender in Scotland, get a degree in Development Studies from the University of Calgary, teach English in Vietnam, and then earn a Master of Public Policy degree at the University of Saskatchewan. From there she joined Co-operatives First as a Communications and Engagement Coordinator in 2017 and has been telling its story ever since.

In her free time, you’ll find her…

  • Running
  • Knitting
  • Hanging out with her nieces and nephews
  • Watching renovation Youtube videos with her partner and their Boston Terrier

Fun facts

  • Her name is pronounced “Ace-ah”
  • Ran her first marathon at age 43
  • Has lived in three countries other than Canada

Favourites

  • Destination: Scotland
  • Movie: The Princess Bride
  • Band: The National
  • Food: Thai green curry
Back

“Heather and the team at Co-operatives First are top-notch. Not only their knowledge but their understanding of the project. They have truly helped us along every step of the way. Their timely response and knowledge of the steps are extraordinary. They are forthcoming with information. This is one of the most knowledgeable and friendliest teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Weyburn Theatre

“Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.”

Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

“Our experience working with the Co-operatives First team was absolutely fabulous. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and patient. It was truly a breath of fresh air to have such a wealth of skill and resources available to a non-profit. They were invaluable to our successful launch!”

Heart Linked Community Services Cooperative

“Working with Co-operatives First was fantastic! We are still new to the cooperative world, and we relied heavily on their advice and expertise when drafting our rules/bylaws, and our memorandum of association. The team has experience with many different cooperative models, so they provided advice on what has and hasn’t worked for other cooperatives. We wouldn’t have been able to incorporate without their help!”

Ananda Cooperative

“We have had a very positive experience with everyone at Co-operatives First. They have helped us in multiple ways. Right from the first step in knowing how to incorporate, how to set our business and offering ideas for us to help steer us in the right direction plus allowing us to really make our own decisions. If our decisions go off track, they have gently guided us back to where we needed to be. The Co-operatives first guys are always eager to answer questions, and give ideas to us that got us off the ground.”

South East Butcher Block