Born and raised in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Deveny began her career in the trades as a hairstylist before relocating to Victoria, BC in 1996. Over the years, she held a variety of leadership and education roles, including serving as Director of Education at Clairol Professional, L’anza Healing Haircare, and Wella Company.

During this time, she continued her studies at Banff Business Academy and supported business development and educational initiatives as an executive assistant. After returning to Manitoba in 2006 and later settling in Saskatchewan, she continued her work in the trades with leadership roles at Estée Lauder and Lancôme.

In 2010, Deveny made a career change and entered healthcare as a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA), where she began her union journey. She became actively involved with SGEU in 2020 and quickly stepped into leadership roles as a steward, local chair and currently co-chair of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee. Having completed extensive Learning Development courses, Deveny values the opportunities SGEU involvement has provided to learn, build connections and advocate for members.

Stepping into a broader vision for Labour

Building on her extensive grassroots experience, Deveny has stepped into her new role as the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) Vice-President, where she will proudly represent SGEU on the Executive Board of the SFL.

In taking on this vital position, SGEU has established clear expectations for how the SFL must champion worker interests across the province. The SFL is expected to take an active, visible leadership role in:

• Advocating for economic justice: Promoting increases to the minimum wage, actively improving working conditions, and fighting against government cutbacks and attacks on vital social programs.
• Building solidarity: Participating directly in community-based coalitions formed to push back against threats to trade union and social issues.
• Equipping affiliates: Providing robust research materials that affiliates can deploy in their internal and external "fight back" campaigns.
• Expanding education: Delivering comprehensive educational programs both internally—allowing affiliates to exchange strategies and information—and externally, to keep the general public informed about labour and social matters.
• Demonstrating unwavering support: Remaining visible and actively supportive of all affiliates as they counter government cutbacks and other challenges impacting the labour movement.

When she’s not dedicating time to SGEU work, she enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews and embracing her love of travel and adventure. Deveny encourages members to become involved in their union, recognizing the important role it plays in educating, supporting and empowering workers.