Trainers and Consultants

Danielle is a registered psychologist, consultant on happiness at work, and seasoned trainer. She has recently become a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor with the Canadian Mental Health Association. Danielle has extensive experience in leadership and management positions and a keen interest in creating positive, healthy workplaces. She believes that great leadership is about creating workplaces in which people not only feel cared about, but are connected to their work and the company’s mission in a way that gives purpose, meaning and drives performance. In addition to her work with ACHIEVE, Danielle has a private clinical practice and is an active member of the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Committee with the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. Inspired by her own love of learning, she draws on her leadership experience to create engaging and meaningful learner-centred workshops.

Read blogs written by Danielle here.

David is an experienced and enthusiastic trainer and mediator with almost 25 years’ experience in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He is a graduate from University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law and is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, as well as the British Columbia Mediation Society. David has been a volunteer for the Legal Education Society of Alberta, teaching the negotiation portion of the bar admission course since 1998, and is responsible for their Mediation Training Program. He also teaches numerous courses for the Insurance Institute of Southern Alberta and Mount Royal University. Additionally, David has been a guest lecturer for interest-based negotiation courses and Insurance Law at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary Law Schools. His firm belief is that, through training and practice, we can all become better communicators, manage differences and conflict, and take responsibility for what happens in our lives in order to have better outcomes for all. David brings genuine warmth, humour, and a passion for effective communication to the workshops that he teaches.

Read blogs written by David here.

Kristen is a Registered Provisional Psychologist who has a Master’s Degree in Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Assessment. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, she is the Manager for Professional Best Practices within the Centre for Applied Disaster and Emergency Management at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and a Professor of Psychology at Concordia University. As a leader, Kristen has led teams to achieve successful outcomes in both public and private sectors. She believes that who we are is how we lead and encourages self-examination and awareness as these are key to leading with strength, confidence, and emotional stamina for organizational resilience. As a trainer, Kristen combines her experience in psychological research and clinical work to enhance self-discovery and skill development. She is a passionate facilitator who incorporates warmth and humour in order to create engaging and meaningful workshops.

Read blogs written by Kristen here.

Marwa is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta and holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. In addition to her work with ACHIEVE, she works as a Mental Health Therapist with Alberta Health Services and consults with school professionals around areas of mental health in the school setting. Marwa also has a private practice where she provides individual and family therapy, parenting support, and consults with community organizations around various issues including mental health and diversity.

Marwa is passionate about educating people on the impacts of mental health struggles in the workplace. She believes in the importance of having workplaces that are psychologically safe, diverse, inclusive, and that encourage opportunities for learning and growth. She believes that when people are able to feel good about where they work, they bring passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to their workplaces and teams. As such, Marwa helps organizations foster environments with positive workplace relationships, open communication, healthy conflict resolution, and a strengths-based approach by which people can flourish. As a trainer, she brings warmth and humour and draws on her varied experiences to make for an engaging, relevant training experience.

As a former Multidisciplinary Team Manager for a non-profit organization and Team Leader within the Provincial Government sector, Shelly‘s experience in coaching, mentoring, and leadership has provided her with a unique and diverse skill set that combines academic understanding with practical knowledge. She holds a Master’s degree in Investigations Management and has significant work experience both in Canada and Australia, where she been an energetic practitioner, educator, and leader in the field of youth justice, child welfare, mental health, homelessness, and suicide intervention for over 20 years. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, Shelly has a private counselling and coaching practice where she focuses on wellness, leadership, difficult conversations, and healthy relationships. She is a seasoned and engaging presenter who is passionate about her work, which allows her to naturally facilitate ongoing learning for workshop participants.

Read blogs written by Shelly here.

Bob is an enthusiastic, insightful, and engaging trainer, facilitator, and consultant with decades of leadership and training experience. He holds a Master’s degree in the humanities and has certifications in Psychological Health and Safety, Emotional Intelligence, and Road to Mental Readiness, in addition to executive certificates in Change Management and Executive Leadership. Bob’s colourful career includes his time as a nationally recognized undercover operative with the RCMP, a member of Canada’s elite anti-terrorist commando team, and decorated organized crime investigator. He is a keen student of human behaviour and leadership and is a voracious reader in these areas. Bob is a passionate advocate for psychological safety and wellness in the workplace. In addition to training for ACHIEVE, he is the Principal Director and founder of a workplace and regulatory investigations firm, with expertise in harassment and violence investigations. Bob believes that courage, kindness, and empathy can be developed and exercised daily and make all the difference in creating a positive workplace culture.

Angie is a Registered Provisional Psychologist, Consultant, Coach, and Trainer who has enjoyed a career in the operations of various professional services organizations. Angie has helped hire, deploy, manage, and coach teams of people who have worked on projects around the world. As an operations leader, she has developed a nuanced understanding of how to maximize work outcomes while also maintaining a healthy work environment. Her work has included activities to drive employee effectiveness, navigate workplace conflict, and create a culture of emotional intelligence. Angie believes that healthy workplaces grow from groups of people who can clearly articulate the goals of their organization – from individuals who can identify their contribution to those goals, to leaders who can clear the path for employees to achieve those goals. As a trainer, she partners with her learners by taking a curious, non-judgmental, strengths-based approach to support them as they create meaningful and lasting change.

Melody is a Registered Psychologist who also has a Master’s Degree in Business. She is nearing the completion of her Doctorate Degree in Industrial and Organizational Behaviour, and has experience working in a variety of professional environments. Melody has supported leaders as they address and resolve issues related to underperformance, team effectiveness, communication issues, and ineffective managerial styles. In her role as a consultant and trainer, she is skilled at working with teams and leaders to identify the key issues and develop action plans to ensure the increased health and productivity of the team and organization. Melody participates in numerous organizations that support women in the workforce, specifically as it relates to women in leadership. She believes that change and growth come with increased self-awareness. Melody is an energetic and insightful facilitator who motivates participants and organizations to take ownership of their development.

Tammy holds a Bachelors degree in Education and is a certified Adult Educator. She is an enthusiastic and personable presenter with over fifteen years of experience in a variety of adult education forums. Tammy draws on her knowledge from educational leadership roles, mental health facilitation and personal coaching to deliver enriching and thought provoking presentations. Tammy values workplaces committed to a growth mindset. She believes that building positive relationships, fostering understanding and empowering individuals is at the heart of great organizations. Tammy’s passion, warmth and excitement for professional learning and personal growth is contagious.

Lana is a Registered Psychologist in the province of Alberta, and has her Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching. For over a decade, she has brought her experience as a therapist and Organizational Development Consultant to her work in organizations across Alberta. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, Lana manages a team of clinicians and clinical consultants who are responsible for building capacity in professionals, educators, and the public around issues related to mental health and addictions.

She has worked with individual leaders from the Emergent to Senior levels, supporting them to lead with intention and passion. In addition, she has coached teams towards success, with a focus on issues including change management, strategic planning, team development, and healthy conflict. Lana brings passion, energy, and humour to all of her facilitations, ensuring participants meet their learning goals while remaining connected and entertained.

Read blogs written by Lana here.

Lynda is a leadership coach and registered social worker with over 20 years’ experience as a workshop facilitator, coach, clinician, and keynote speaker in the areas of leadership, organizational health, change management, stress management. She holds a Master of Social Work degree, as well as being a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and a member of the International Coaches Federation. Lynda has held various leadership roles in her 25-year career, and currently works as a coach specializing in transformational writing for burnout prevention, personal growth and success. She is passionate about the power of the coaching relationship to support people to be and do their best. Lynda is a passionate facilitator who creates engaging and dynamic learning environments where new insights, wisdom, and learning can naturally flow.

Read blogs written by Lynda here.

For over 30 years, Mark Schinkel has served in public education as a Teacher, School Administrator, Executive Superintendent of Human Resource Services, and Senior Superintendent of Student Achievement and Well-Being with the Waterloo Region District School Board. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, as well as Bachelor of Education and Master of Religion degrees. Mark’s commitment to organizational excellence, building highly effective teams, and leadership development provides a wealth of practical experience in creating the conditions that allow employees to flourish in a safe, inclusive, healthy, purposeful, and productive work environment. He believes that effective leaders leverage and nurture the natural relationship between productivity, organizational goals, healthy work environments, and individual well-being. As an experienced and considerate facilitator, Mark places a high value on creating an engaging, practical, and fun learning experience that is focused on identified participant learning goals and outcomes.

Read blogs written by Mark here.

Alison has a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Training and in Human Development, with a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems. She has twelve years of experience as an entrepreneur in the specialty food industry and fifteen years of experience providing services to individuals and groups within the provincial and federal correctional systems. Throughout her career she has nurtured a passion for healthy organizations and workplaces. She believes that leaders should nurture a belief in what is possible, now and in the future; this generates opportunity for innovation, productivity, creativity, health, and well-being. Alison has experience in intercultural collaborative research and specializes in transformational learning and nurturing hope. Through her interactive approach, easygoing style, and action-oriented focus, Alison leaves participants with ideas and practical steps they can implement to produce results.

Ready blogs written by Alison here.

Alana is an experienced leader and has extensive mediation and group facilitation experience in justice, community and school settings. She holds a PhD in Criminology on the topic of transformational learning. As a former Executive Director for a non-profit organization, Alana’s experience in mentoring and leadership has provided her with a unique skill set that combines academic understanding with practical knowledge. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, she is a full-time faculty member in criminology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where she continues to inspire and be inspired by students and diverse colleagues. Alana believes in collaborative dialogue and life-long learning as a source of personal and social transformation. She is an engaging presenter who is passionate about her work, which allows her to easily facilitate ongoing learning for workshop participants.

Read blogs written by Alana here.

Aaron holds a Masters Degree in Conflict Transformation and is an experienced facilitator and trainer specializing in mediation, conflict resolution, and restorative justice. Throughout his career he has provided leadership for a variety of organizations, and for close to 15 years, he has facilitated high-conflict conversations for both small and large groups of people. Aaron has a passion for supporting people through high-stakes and emotionally charged conversations. He believes that conflict presents a vital opportunity for individual and organizational growth. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, Aaron is a consultant in private practice, where he works with schools, criminal justice, and other organizations both locally and internationally. A passionate facilitator, he brings an upbeat, insightful, and engaging presence to all of his workshops.

Read blogs written by Aaron here.

Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Conflict Resolution. He has over twenty years of experience as a leader in the mediation and conflict resolution field. Mike believes that education and training is largely about giving hope – people often come to a training to address a particular situation, and they want to leave with a plan to change it. In addition to facilitating workshops, he is a Mediator and is co-author of the book, The Culture Question. Mike is the author many of ACHIEVE’s workshops including Emotional Intelligence and Mediation. As a trainer, he uses his experiences working in a manufacturing environment, inner-city drop-in, boys camp, and as a mediator to illustrate the material.  Mike has an interactive and engaging style that easily motivates participants to incorporate workshop material into their own environments.

Read blogs written by Mike here.

Elaine is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources and holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. She has extensive training experience and
has created and delivered numerous training programs on organizational development topics such as enhancing leadership skills, best hiring practices, team building, conflict resolution, motivation and retention, emotional intelligence, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Prior to entering the health care field, Elaine was a manager of several teams in the retail and marketing sectors. She believes in fostering healthy workplace environments and helping organizations create cultures of learning. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, she also provides leadership coaching and practice management consulting services to health care professionals and private practice owners. Elaine is an engaging and insightful presenter whose interactive approach helps learners integrate concepts and skills from her presentations.

Catherine has worked in the fields of conflict resolution and restorative justice since 1999, and holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation. She has extensive experience providing leadership, facilitation services, and training within not-for-profit, government, business, and school environments. Catherine served as the Restorative Justice Coordinator within the Victim Services and Crime Prevention Branch of the government of British Columbia from 2008-2017, and was a Program Manager for Victim Services with over 50 victim services and anti-violence groups. In addition to her work with ACHIEVE, Catherine provides high level consulting for organizations creating justice and conflict management systems. She is a sought-after consultant and trainer in Canada as well as internationally, and is recognized for her insightful analysis and collaborative approach to working with complex situations. Drawing heavily from the discipline of restorative justice, Catherine believes that good process creates space for productive conversations and just, transformative relationships among people and across diverse communities. As a trainer, she brings a spirit of fun, curiosity, and compassionate listening to her workshops.

Marnie is a Vancouver-based social worker with a Masters degree focused on collaboration between non-profit agencies and police. She has 22 years of direct client service in a collaborative practice with the Vancouver Police Department, providing client centered interventions in highly challenging relational environments. Marnie is a leader in her field, and regularly presents at conferences and event.  She believes that through connection with others and access to knowledge we can all find ways of relating that are life giving for ourselves and our communities. Marnie provides training to a wide range of audiences in the areas of communication skills, crisis management, mental health, and violence-prevention. She brings humor and energy to difficult topics and makes workshop material relevant and practical for a diverse range of audiences.

Galya holds a Masters of Counselling degree and is a coach, educator and clinical counsellor. In addition to her work with ACHIEVE she operates a private practice focused on supporting people to heal and flourish. Galya’s leadership experience spans over two decades in areas ranging from research to sport to multi-unit management. She believes that each of us can be a leader by practicing strong communication skills, an orientation to the positive, and an attitude of curiosity and openness. Galya values connection and learning and is thankful to have a career working intimately with others facilitating growth and the sharing of knowledge. In her workshops she creates a lighthearted and interactive environment where participants can explore new concepts and internalize learnings for immediate practical application.

Jody is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with Masters degrees in Marriage & Family Therapy as well as Applied Behaviour Analysis. In addition to her private practice, and training with ACHIEVE, she is a Program Manager at a social service organization. In this role Jody supports and provides direction for several special needs and mental health programs as well as the development of quality assurance measures for the organization. She approaches leadership through a collaborative and strength-based lens with the belief that a healthy workplace culture can be developed through the gifts of authenticity and transparency. Jody believes in the power of the workplace community; mentoring confident and competent staff through the development and expression of mutual values such as vulnerability, courage and resiliency as tools for growth. She is an authentic and enthusiastic facilitator who believes in learning through connection, stories and humour. Her non-judgemental and engaging facilitation style gives participants space to learn and grow while taking in practical strategies.

Wendy is the Managing Director of ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership and co-author of The Culture Question. She is a thoughtful and empowering leader who believes in the importance of listening to the needs and aspirations of people, and then facilitating the next step in their development. Wendy is vice president of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Manitoba. She is a former teacher and director of a health and social services program. Wendy has a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Management, and Bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Education. She believes that learning is a dynamic and lifelong endeavor, and with commitment and guidance, the process should be enjoyable and motivating. Wendy is an engaging presenter who delivers material in a way that maximizes the learning potential for all participants.

Read blogs written by Wendy here.

Contact Wendy at:
[email protected]
204-789-2453

Eric is the Chief Executive Officer of ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership and co-author of the book, The Culture Question. He is a caring and insightful leader who believes that building authentic relationships is the best way to lead people effectively. Eric has provided leadership in the field of conflict resolution and mediation since completing a degree in Sociology with a focus on mediation and peacemaking. He is a Chartered Mediator and a past president of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Manitoba. Prior to working with ACHIEVE, Eric was an administrator, board chair, senior mediator, trainer, and lead negotiator for a variety of other organizations. He believes that the best leaders and employees turn their minds first to listening with curiosity, and never put operations before people. Eric is a gifted trainer and speaker who makes material come alive for participants through humour, storytelling, and real-world application.

Eric’s thoughts on leadership and organizational culture can be found here.

Contact Eric at:
[email protected]
204-783-2069

Listen to Eric Speak

Randy is the founder and Chief Vision Officer of ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership. He is an intuitive and visionary leader who, together with a team of employees and trainers, has positioned ACHIEVE to be a leading provider of professional development training. Randy is a Registered Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Conflict Resolution. He is passionate about sharing the importance of creating healthy workplace cultures, and believes that leadership requires us to always be intentional about what we do and how we do it. Randy is the author of The Ordinary Leader, and co-author of The Culture Question. He gives presentations on leadership and workplace culture to a wide range of audiences. Randy is a dynamic speaker who delivers insightful presentations that are engaging, humorous, and informative.

Read blogs written by Randy here.

Contact Randy at:
[email protected]

Listen to Randy Speak

Jessica is a communications professional who has provided leadership in her field for over a decade with a focus on project management and content creation. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Rhetoric and Communications and a Master’s degree in Media Studies. Jessica leads workshops on leadership, communication skills, content creation, and conflict resolution, and has taught a university-level writing course for over 10 years. In addition to her work as a workshop facilitator, she runs a communications consultancy firm where she provides facilitation, editorial, and strategic communication services to a wide variety of clients. In all of her work, Jessica believes in developing and maintaining respectful and trusting relationships with an awareness of and sensitivity to cultural differences, working styles, and desired outcomes. She is a dynamic and engaging presenter who is enthusiastic about understanding people’s communication styles and approaches in order to help them improve their ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with those around them.

Read blogs written by Jessica here.

David has provided leadership for various non-profit organizations for over 25 years. He has a degree in Philosophy, a diploma in Counselling, as well as certifications in Conflict Resolution and Mediation. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, he works as ACHIEVE’s Training and Development Specialist. In this role, David provides support to other trainers and ensures that training material reflects the current research in the field and is consistent with ACHIEVE’s core beliefs. He also works in the field of mediation where he volunteers as a Mediator for the court diversion program in Manitoba. In whatever role David finds himself, his passion for motivating people to continue their personal journey of learning and growth shines through. David believes that no matter what our role is in the workplace, we can all continue to grow in our skills to improve our own life and to help improve the lives of others. As a trainer, he is known for his dynamic workshop facilitation that combines humour and real-world application.

Chris is a leadership and organizational development professional with over 20 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors. Through his extensive experience in operations, compliance and organizational development, he has gained a diverse skill set which has shaped how he approaches leading and working with teams.  Chris believes fundamentally that leaders have a direct impact on the health and wellness of the people they lead and support. And that fostering healthy work environments create the ideal conditions for success well beyond the individual and throughout whole organizations. Chris is recognized as an approachable facilitator who coaches, motivates and inspires others to be the best they can be.

For over 20 years Wendy has worked for a variety of organizations, boards, and businesses both in Canada and internationally as a consultant, trainer, senior mediator for workplace conflicts, and facilitator of strategic processes. She holds a PhD in Peace Studies, and is an Assistant Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies. In her private practice she works as a community mediator and trainer. Wendy is regularly consulted on workplace conflict dynamics and leadership questions regarding the betterment of relationships and systems in the workplace. She believes that investing in building positive relationships towards fostering understanding and empowering individuals is at the heart of great organizations. As a trainer, Wendy utilizes her wealth of practical experience combined with her energetic training style to create an ideal learning experience.

Paul has been providing conflict resolution and counselling services for over 20 years. He is a Registered Social Worker holding a Master’s degree in Clinical Social work and a Diploma in Human Resources. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, he is currently a therapist working with individuals navigating the Justice System, and also has a small private practice. Paul believes in the importance of co-creating meaning and direction in both individual and group interventions. As a trainer, he delivers practical, applicable information for participants mixed with a humorous and engaging presentation style. Paul is gifted at facilitating critical conversations in a non-threatening manner where individuals and organizations feel heard and supported.

Dan is a communicator, leader, strategist, and perpetual learner who focuses his curiosity and energy towards helping individuals and organizations thrive. He has a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and 15 years of leadership experience coaching and investing in people from a diverse range of backgrounds. Dan is passionate about helping organizations realize their vision and discover what it means to create workplaces where people like to work. His skillset and experience include working in the areas of organizational structure, effective communication, growth strategies, evaluation and assessment, leading change, and empowering the younger generation of workers. Dan believes that continuous growth and learning are essential components for both individual and organizational success. Clients appreciate him for his fun, warm, and engaging presence, along with the strategic and analytical mind that he brings to his work.

For over two decades Rolande has been working with leaders and staff in organizations, small businesses and  various levels of government to create great workplaces. She believes that encouraging conversation and ideas leads to positive change. Rolande has extensive experience in delivering training events in French and English and brings exceptional energy to all her events. In addition to her work with ACHIEVE, she runs her own business, is on the board of directors for Entreprises Riel, and is past president for the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, Manitoba Chapter. Rolande provides a refreshing, innovative approach to complement workplace wellness initiatives and support leaders in fostering co-operation and creative thinking and in promoting greater job satisfaction.

Scott brings a diversity of experience to his work with ACHIEVE, including facilitating training in widely varying contexts, consulting with athletes and business leaders on high performance, practicing psychotherapy, working as a mediator and teaching conflict resolution at the university level. He holds a Master of Education (Specialization in Counselling) and his own professional development has included training in team development, leadership and a Certificate in Conflict Resolution. Scott places a special value on good workplace relationships as one of the keys to helping people both enjoy their work more and also achieve higher performance in the workplace. He believes we all do better in work and life when we feel valued and supported by those around us. As a trainer, Scott strives to make workshop material both accessible and relevant with his engaging and light-hearted presentation style.

Sheri is a Registered Social Worker in the province of New Brunswick who holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology. Her broad range of experience includes working in front line and leadership roles in both government and social service organizations. Sheri values workplaces and organizations that are able to identify, build on, and capitalize on their most valuable resource: the people who work there. She believes people should love their job and that the health and wellness of a workplace and their employees is the best determinant for both individual and organizational success. In addition to her work with ACHIEVE, Sheri is also a counsellor in a private practice setting where she provides counselling in the areas of mental health, addiction, and trauma. As a facilitator Sheri uses humour and passion to create an impactful experience for those in attendance.

Read blogs written by Sheri here.

For the last several years, Alain Paulin has worked in private practice as a trainer, facilitator and mediator.  Previously, he worked for the Government of Canada for more than two decades in communications, human resources and conflict resolution, including eight years as a mediator with the Department of National Defence. Within Canada, he has served as trainer, facilitator and mediator from coast to coast in both official languages. Abroad, he worked in the Central African Republic, the Dominican Republic, Uganda and Kenya for the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communication) and a certificate in conflict management and is pursuing graduate studies in peace and conflict. Alain sits on the board of directors of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Atlantic Institute (ADR Atlantic) and is a Chartered Mediator. Alain brings natural warmth and genuine curiousity about people to his role as a trainer and consultant for ACHIEVE.

Lori is a Registered Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree and has worked in a variety of settings throughout her career, including the child protection, health care, and education systems. Working in government systems has provided her with opportunities to collaborate with many teams in both supporting and leadership roles. Lori has been involved in many community development projects, including years spent working in Nunavut as a Community Wellness Coordinator. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, she currently has a private practice where she draws from her previous workplace experiences and leads a team of associate counsellors to provide mental health and wellness services to the local community. Lori believes that every individual has strengths and knowledge to share, and that the best workplaces recognize how to invite creativity and connection from their employees. She is a skilled trainer who enjoys the energy, wisdom, and experiences offered in a group setting.

Jennifer is a facilitator and instructional designer with nearly a decade of experience developing and delivering training workshops to participants in small and medium-sized organizations and academic institutions. She has written and facilitated more than 20 workshop topics to private and public employees in core areas like interpersonal communication, business, coaching, and leadership. In addition to degrees achieved in Adult Education and Instructional Design, she is a certified Positive Psychology coach. Jennifer maintains an active training practice and works as an instructional designer in a variety of settings. Jennifer believes real learning originates from self-awareness and self-reflection. As a trainer she is committed to creating this within learners by providing an energetic, thoughtful and engaging delivery of content and learning activities.

Read blogs written by Jennifer here.

AnnMarie holds a PhD in experimental psychology and a Masters in clinical social work. In addition to advanced study and training in the areas of anxiety, trauma and resilience, she has 30 years of direct clinical experience. AnnMarie has worked as a psychotherapist and consultant in various workplaces including EAP programs, schools, community and hospital settings. Her approach as a trainer is to view personal and professional struggles as human issues requiring compassion and practical strategies for coping and resilience. AnnMarie is a popular presenter of our Managing Mental Health in the Workplace workshops. In her workshops, she seeks to build connection and capacity by creating an environment of acceptance, collegiality and experiential learning. Packed with personal and professional examples, AnnMarie’s trainings are both highly engaging and informative.

Read blogs written by AnnMarie here.

Elizabeth has a Masters degree in Social Work with extensive experience in the field of mental health and community-based prevention and promotion programs. She works in diverse rural, urban and Indigenous communities. Elizabeth is passionate about creating vibrant and mentally healthy workplaces and communities. She has a deep interest in the influence of emotions on physical well-being. A mindfulness perspective is integrated into all aspects of her work. As a trainer, Elizabeth helps people to see the big picture and make practical connections to their own every day experience.

Read blogs written by Elizabeth here.

Cathy is a senior management consultant and coach with over 30 years of management and leadership experience in the public sector focused on governance, project management, client services and operations. As a life-long learner she holds a Certificate in Management from the Canadian Institute of Management and St. Mary’s University and a Master’s degree in Conflict Management from Royal Roads University. Cathy’s areas of passion are in facilitating complex multi-stakeholder conversations and assisting organizations and individuals to navigate change. She believes that workplace health and productivity are connected and that the skills necessary to create well-functioning workplaces are teachable and within reach for organizations, leaders, teams and individuals. As a trainer, Cathy draws on her own real-life experience and the experience of the participants to create a safe and engaged learning environment, where all voices can be heard.

Paula is an enthusiastic educator, trainer and consultant. She has a rich and varied work background including in schools, community based non-profits, and clinical settings.  Paul specializes in emotional intelligence, mental health, and working with challenging behaviours in individuals and teams.  Paula believes that everyone should be able to find meaning in their work and relationships.  And that only by working together to create sustainable solutions, can individuals, professionals, workplaces and communities ensure that supports, systems and policies are responsive and effective for all. As a facilitator, she draws on her deep experience with adult education and learning principles to provide an engaging, practical and interactive workshop experience.

James has extensive experience training people to handle situations of conflict and escalated emotion. He has a degree in Sociology and has worked for over a decade of in the field of mental health and addictions, specifically working in a variety of shelters, as well as addiction rehabilitation and treatment facilities for youth. In his various roles, he has been instrumental in developing and implementing policies for managing conflict. James believes some of the most critical skills anyone can develop are listening skills. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, he also teaches at the college level. As a facilitator, James provides high level training for groups that is both engaging and well organized.

Shawn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Adult Education with a specialization in Corporate Development and Knowledge Management. He has over 20 years of experience in corporate training including facilitation, curriculum development, and leading a national training team. Shawn spent 17 years in the banking industry where he was responsible for training related to compliance, sales, and leadership development. Currently, in addition to training with ACHIEVE, he is the Director of Operations & Learning for St. John Ambulance. As a leader, Shawn believes that a cohesive team is critical to the success of any operation. He is an energetic and engaging facilitator who ensures that his participants can apply the content being delivered to their own unique environments.

Read blogs written by Shawn here.

John has served in leadership roles both in the private and public good sector for over 20 years. He is presently the Executive Director of House of Friendship, a multi-service social agency in Waterloo Region. Passionate about leadership, he is constantly seeking ways to grow in leadership while also developing others in their leadership. John holds Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Social Work. His strong leadership background combined with his engaging presentation style creates an informative and challenging learning environment.

Read blogs written by John here.

Amber is a Psychologist who has diverse experience in managing teams, creating programs and working with individuals. With her background in psychology, she draws upon foundations of individual and systems change theory to help participants in her workshops generate insight and awareness that are often key components to the early steps of change. Amber enjoys coaching individuals though trying new skills that are unfamiliar to them. She believes that individual insight, change and continuous growth is vital for each person’s workplace satisfaction. As a trainer, Amber draws on her experience and passion for the topics to provide engaging stories that demonstrate concepts and ask thought provoking question to facilitate new learning. She strives to present material in a dynamic way that helps participants sustain attention and remain motivated to learn.

Read blogs written by Amber here.

Brodie has more than a decade of experience within the financial services industry in a variety of leadership and human capital capacities. He has a passion for workplace performance and engagement. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, Brodie works with a variety of Canadian industries, helping them define and execute their performance and culture objectives. He believes that his curiosity, adaptability, and passion for learning has created success in motivating others to achieve their desired results. Brodie’s high energy, passion, and desire to see others succeed results in a creative and results-focused learning environment. With more than 10 years of experience as a trainer and facilitator, he uses his thirst for building relationships to assist teams maximize their effectiveness and satisfaction.

Read blogs written by Brodie here.

Paul has close to 30 years of leadership experience and is passionate about developing leaders and teams. He has a BA in conflict management, and an MA in leadership and management. Paul specializes in developing leaders who shape culture and environments to improve engagement, performance, well-being, and workplace satisfaction. He is an avid reader and researcher of the latest trends and challenges impacting the workplace and then creating or finding the practical and relevant solutions to address them. Paul’s philosophy of learning and development is that it should be relevant, informative, engaging, memorable, entertaining, and fun. He believes his greatest asset is taking the complicated and making it simple. As a trainer he creates great learning spaces through his warmth, enthusiasm, and humour.

Christina has a diverse background as a leadership trainer, director and team building and conflict resolution facilitator. With a PhD in religion, she teaches university courses on ethics, the world’s major religions, and other topics. Christina has travelled extensively and worked internationally for non-profit organizations that focus on peace-building and community development. She values workplaces that promote diversity and equity and strive to resolve corporate and interpersonal conflict in productive ways. She believes that communicating well is one of the keys to creating healthy working environments. Christina has an enthusiastic and engaging presentation style and uses storytelling and humour to make workshops interesting as well as informative.

Patrick has been a leader in the field of residential group homes and treatment foster care for the past 20 years, presently as the owner and Executive Director of a foster/counselling centre. His educational background is in Psychology and his workplace experiences have helped him develop keen insights into the complexities of communication and conflict dynamics. Patrick values workplaces that are open, diverse and inclusive, recognizing that we are all on our personal journey. He believes that understanding and kindness are needed when dealing with people. Patrick’s use of humour and genuine enthusiasm for teaching creates an excellent learning environment for participants.

Judah is a professor, author and mediator, teaching in the areas of conflict resolution and criminal justice. He holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and is a PhD student in Social Work. Judah has facilitated dialogue and conflict resolution processes in many places – from prisons to workplaces to family homes. He values workplaces that bring out the best in employees. Judah believes that character and skill development are important parts of doing meaningful work. As a trainer, he is an engaging presenter who fluidly interacts with learners and fosters critical thinking.​

Matt’s leadership and management experience in the non-profit sector ranges from youth leadership development to public education on ecological sustainability. He also has a rich background in education and conflict violence-reduction, where he has worked to support both rural and inner-city communities to implement practical peacebuilding initiatives. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, Matt presently leads an initiative that empowers men to prevent gender-based violence, and works to strengthen relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. He is a popular presenter of our workshops related to diversity, respect, and conflict resolution. As a trainer, Matt combines insightful analysis with a warm sense of humour and a deep appreciation for the experience and knowledge that participants bring to a workshop.

Michelle is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s degree in Counselling and Spirituality, and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Special Education. In addition to training with ACHIEVE she maintains a private practice with individuals, families and children and specializes in mental health and wellness. Michelle is a popular presenter of our Managing Mental Health in the Workplace workshops. She believes that leaders are most effective when they have a non-judgmental perspective and compassionate curiosity for both themselves and their employees. Michelle draws on her educational background, 15 years of group facilitation, and agency and private practice experience to add a personalized touch to her workshops. As a facilitator, she brings her knowledge of learning principles to provide an interactive, engaging and participant-centred experience incorporating practical information attendees can immediately apply to both their personal and professional lives.

Shawn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Adult Education with a specialization in Corporate Development and Knowledge Management. He has over 20 years of experience in corporate training including facilitation, curriculum development, and leading a national training team. Shawn spent 17 years in the banking industry where he was responsible for training related to compliance, sales, and leadership development. Currently, in addition to training with ACHIEVE, he is the Director of Operations & Learning for St. John Ambulance. As a leader, Shawn believes that a cohesive team is critical to the success of any operation. He is an energetic and engaging facilitator who ensures that his participants can apply the content being delivered to their own unique environments.

Read blogs written by Shawn here.

Brodie has more than a decade of experience within the financial services industry in a variety of leadership and human capital capacities. He has a passion for workplace performance and engagement. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, Brodie works with a variety of Canadian industries, helping them define and execute their performance and culture objectives. He believes that his curiosity, adaptability, and passion for learning has created success in motivating others to achieve their desired results. Brodie’s high energy, passion, and desire to see others succeed results in a creative and results-focused learning environment. With more than 10 years of experience as a trainer and facilitator, he uses his thirst for building relationships to assist teams maximize their effectiveness and satisfaction.

Read blogs written by Brodie here.

David holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University, a Certificate in Business Management, and an Associated Certified Coach designation from the International Coaching Federation. He has a comprehensive understanding of leadership in complex organizational systems and is passionate about helping others in their own learning processes. Over his 35 years of leadership in the non-profit sector, David has consistently demonstrated significant skill in the areas of conflict resolution and employee engagement. His skills have been instrumental in transforming toxic work environments into places where employees are engaged and happy to be at work. His practical, insightful and often humorous presentation style encourages participation and fosters a positive learning experience.

Matt’s leadership and management experience in the non-profit sector ranges from youth leadership development to public education on ecological sustainability. He also has a rich background in education and conflict violence-reduction, where he has worked to support both rural and inner-city communities to implement practical peacebuilding initiatives. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, Matt presently leads an initiative that empowers men to prevent gender-based violence, and works to strengthen relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. He is a popular presenter of our workshops related to diversity, respect, and conflict resolution. As a trainer, Matt combines insightful analysis with a warm sense of humour and a deep appreciation for the experience and knowledge that participants bring to a workshop.

Janelle has Master’s degrees in both Criminology and Educational Psychology. Her broad range of experience includes working in front line and leadership roles in both government and social service organizations. Presently, in addition to training with ACHIEVE she provides counselling in private practice, works for the Ministry of Justice and is a sessional lecturer at the University of Regina. Janelle values workplaces and organizations that respect the importance of partnerships and innovation. She believes people’s passion for the work they do is developed by encouraging leadership at all levels. Janelle is an energetic presenter who enjoys delivering training workshops that are relevant and practical to individuals’ work and personal lives.

Ready blogs written by Janelle here.

Deanne has applied her skills in leadership, management, and organizational change for many years as a leader and manager with mental health and addiction services in Saskatchewan. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Public Health, with expertise in program evaluation, project management, and change management. As a leader, Deanne is passionate about creating a work environment where individuals feel valued, acknowledged, and appreciated; and where collaboration, creative problem solving, and teamwork are fostered and expected by the team. She understands the value of open communication, trust, and accountability in developing functional and dynamic teams. As a facilitator, Deanne uses humor, stories, group discussion, and engaging strategies to keep the training entertaining, challenging, educational, and memorable.

Read blogs written by Deanna here.

Tim is an organizational consultant, private mediator, and trainer. Since earning a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology in 1997, he has worked intensively in the conflict resolution field, first in restorative justice, then in private practice and most recently for the Government of Saskatchewan, Dispute Resolution Office. Tim has worked with a wide range of clients in private, non-profit, public service, and Indigenous organizations. He has deep experience in many contexts, including mediation work with civil litigants, workplaces, families, communities, boards of directors, executive teams, and multiparty negotiators. Tim believes that we human beings, individually and in groups, are most fulfilled and healthy when actively growing and developing. As a trainer, he is known for his energetic yet thoughtful approach, establishing an exciting atmosphere of growth, and development.

Read blogs written by Tim here.

Trish has worked in a variety of mental health and post-secondary settings in the public and private sector. She has a Master of Social Work degree as well as an undergraduate degree in psychology. Trish enjoys facilitating dialogue, inspiring compassion, and bringing the insight of her clinical work into the business and organizational world for genuine learning in her workshops. She has academic and personal interest in organizational wellness and human rights. In addition to being a trainer with ACHIEVE, Trish currently has a private practice in counseling and consulting and serves as an adjudicator for Social Services for the government of Saskatchewan. As a trainer, she is a skillful listener who works to facilitate training that encourages genuine insight, compassion, and a collective learning experience.

Read blogs written by Trish here.

Noela is Cree and is a member of Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan. She holds a Master of Social Work degree and is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in management and front-line roles within government and First Nations settings. Noela has led provincial engagements with diverse groups from the areas of government, the private sector, and First Nations. She also has extensive experience in policy development, program design, quality assurance, team building, strategic planning, and advising to management teams, executive leaders, and boards. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, Noela is a sessional lecturer at the University of Regina and a private practice counsellor and consultant. The foundation of her work and practice are grounded in her culture and values as an Indigenous woman, and a belief that everyone has inherent strengths and wisdom. As a trainer, Noela is passionate about working collaboratively with communities and organizations to build workplaces and practices that support people and foster wellness.

Janice has many years of work and leadership experience in non-profit, government and private business. She has a Master’s of Human Resource Management and is an accredited Professional Certified Coach. Janice’s areas of expertise include training and development, leadership development, performance management and engagement. She has led teams of various sizes throughout her career, most recently in the banking sector. Janice is passionate about leadership development and coaching leaders towards their potential. As a seasoned facilitator, Janice brings humour and stories to her sessions ensuring participants are engaged and learning.

Nataschaa has a Masters in Conflict Analysis and Management and has worked as a mediator, coach, facilitator and counselor. She has lived in rural Yukon for ten years working with First Nations governments and communities. Nataschaa’s work is founded on the beliefs of the value of all perspectives, the innate desire we each have to be accepted and that our history does not need to dictate our future. Her approach includes encouraging space for the wisdom and strengths of the group and the individual to surface and co-creation to occur. She is passionate about teaching, listening and sharing.

Eric is the Chief Executive Officer of ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership and co-author of the book, The Culture Question. He is a caring and insightful leader who believes that building authentic relationships is the best way to lead people effectively. Eric has provided leadership in the field of conflict resolution and mediation since completing a degree in Sociology with a focus on mediation and peacemaking. He is a Chartered Mediator and a past president of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Manitoba. Prior to working with ACHIEVE, Eric was an administrator, board chair, senior mediator, trainer, and lead negotiator for a variety of other organizations. He believes that the best leaders and employees turn their minds first to listening with curiosity, and never put operations before people. Eric is a gifted trainer and speaker who makes material come alive for participants through humour, storytelling, and real-world application.

Eric’s thoughts on leadership and organizational culture can be found here.

Contact Eric at:
[email protected]
204-783-2069

Listen to Eric Speak

Randy is the founder and Chief Vision Officer of ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership. He is an intuitive and visionary leader who, together with a team of employees and trainers, has positioned ACHIEVE to be a leading provider of professional development training. Randy is a Registered Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Conflict Resolution. He is passionate about sharing the importance of creating healthy workplace cultures, and believes that leadership requires us to always be intentional about what we do and how we do it. Randy is the author of The Ordinary Leader, and co-author of The Culture Question. He gives presentations on leadership and workplace culture to a wide range of audiences. Randy is a dynamic speaker who delivers insightful presentations that are engaging, humorous, and informative.

Read blogs written by Randy here.

Contact Randy at:
[email protected]

Listen to Randy Speak

Lynda is a leadership coach and registered social worker with over 20 years’ experience as a workshop facilitator, coach, clinician, and keynote speaker in the areas of leadership, organizational health, change management, stress management. She holds a Master of Social Work degree, as well as being a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and a member of the International Coaches Federation. Lynda has held various leadership roles in her 25-year career, and currently works as a coach specializing in transformational writing for burnout prevention, personal growth and success. She is passionate about the power of the coaching relationship to support people to be and do their best. Lynda is a passionate facilitator who creates engaging and dynamic learning environments where new insights, wisdom, and learning can naturally flow.

Read blogs written by Lynda here.

Seniye brings a wealth of expertise in leadership and management with a particular focus on increasing performance while building team spirit and achieving organizational goals to her role as a trainer with ACHIEVE. Seniye has managed teams from five to 125 people and with roles in management and executive leadership.  She holds a Master’s of Science in Adult Training and Development and is an adjunct Professor at Clark College. She has worked with clients such as REI, New York Cupcakes, Vestas Americas, Multnomah County Libraries, Oregon Child Development Coalition, Nike, and Columbia Sportswear.  Her broad perspective, approachable manner, and training expertise make for engaging learning environments.

Krystel is a licensed clinical psychologist based in New York City with a doctorate in psychology from The Wright Institute and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington. She has specialized experience in behavioral therapies, mindfulness-based techniques, behavioral medicine/health psychology, multicultural psychology, and crisis intervention. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, she works as a psychotherapist in behavioral medicine working in a wide range of medical clinics and nursing facilities throughout the five boroughs. Complementing workshops with real-life clinical examples, practical skills training, and a high-energy passion, she engages workshop participants in thoughtful discussion to optimize learning.

Based in Seattle, Ruth is both a communication specialist and licensed counsellor who holds a Master’s degree in Expressive Therapies and Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science. She is currently Vice President of Program Development and Training with First Aid Arts, an international NGO based in Seattle, where she is responsible for managing, developing, and facilitating experiential training. Ruth has more than a dozen years’ experience working within diverse and challenging environments in both South Africa and the United States, including roles in justice, education, and community based programs. As a passionate and creative facilitator, Ruth is committed to engaging participants by creating dynamic and supportive spaces for participatory learning.

Based in Portland, Matthew Hartman holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and has a rich background as a facilitator, mediator, and trainer. Working across the US and internationally, he has provided facilitation, consultation, and training in conflict transformation, mediation, and restorative justice to non-profit, public, and corporate sectors. With both private and public sector leadership experience, Matthew utilizes an empowering and collaborative approach to working with people. His natural style and ability to put individuals and groups at ease assists all parties in achieving their goals through listening, transformative dialogue, and creative problem solving.

Based in Chicago, Shadell has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of leadership, conflict resolution, and cultural diversity. She has a Master of Laws (LL.M) specializing in Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School. Shadell has worked as the Executive Director of a conflict resolution and restorative justice organization, and been in senior leadership roles at York University and University of Toronto related to conflict resolution, crisis management, developing student conduct programming, equity/diversity, and public education. She is an engaging trainer and consultant who is passionate about developing environments that support equity, inclusion, and constructive conflict resolution. Shadell believes that fostering a healthy workplace climate provides the context for employees to thrive in their pursuit of organizational goals.

Aaron holds a Masters Degree in Conflict Transformation and is an experienced facilitator and trainer specializing in mediation, conflict resolution, and restorative justice. Throughout his career he has provided leadership for a variety of organizations, and for close to 15 years, he has facilitated high-conflict conversations for both small and large groups of people. Aaron has a passion for supporting people through high-stakes and emotionally charged conversations. He believes that conflict presents a vital opportunity for individual and organizational growth. In addition to training with ACHIEVE, Aaron is a consultant in private practice, where he works with schools, criminal justice, and other organizations both locally and internationally. A passionate facilitator, he brings an upbeat, insightful, and engaging presence to all of his workshops.

Read blogs written by Aaron here.