Our Team
We have a team of experienced consultants and contractors who facilitate our business workshops in their specialty. Some have been successfully self-employed for 30 years. Because they have faced the same situations that you do, they are able to provide practical, hands-on expertise
We have a team of experienced consultants and contractors who facilitate our business workshops in their specialty. Some have been successfully self-employed for 30 years. Because they have faced the same situations that you do, they are able to provide practical, hands-on expertise
Barry Dwernychuk has had a long, varied and successful career journey. He has enjoyed every minute of his time as a professional pilot, trial lawyer, IT consultant and adult educator.
His natural good humor and ability to relate to a wide range of people, combined with an optimistically mirthful outlook make him an engaging speaker. Years of broad professional experiences allow him to teach with energy, clarity, humor and authority on a variety of subjects, from instrument flying through motorcycling skills, IT topics and today for SCC, the legalities of running a small business.
Prior to graduating from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 1987, Barry spent a decade as a professional pilot in Alberta, first accumulating nearly 4000 flight and classroom hours teaching advanced flying skills, then riding the crest of the oil boom as captain of a wide range of executive aircraft. After law school, Barry moved to Vancouver and practiced as a trial lawyer until health and family issues mandated a career change.
For the past eighteen years he has provided IT consulting services to clients in BC and Alberta, primarily to legal and accounting firms. In addition, he has blended his legal, IT and teaching knowledge by providing computer skills instruction to superior court judges all across Canada.
He holds a Canadian Airline Transport Pilot License, a US Commercial Pilot License, is a member of the Editors' Association of Canada, is current president of the Internet BMW Riders and is a member in good standing of the exclusive and somewhat enigmatic Iron Butt Association. He is also a published author, and his articles about flying and motorcycling have appeared in prestigious international magazines and smaller publications worldwide.
In his spare time he buys, sells, restores and rides award-winning BMW motorcycles, blogs about riding, spends ridiculous amounts of time keeping a cranky old boat in workable condition and occasionally actually gets out on the water.
Colin McWhinnie has developed a reputation as someone who helps his clients produces sales results. Colin started his own firm Telepath Consulting in 1997, followed by his consulting company SalesXperts in 2004. He has found a real niche in helping companies in the Technology, Financial, and Professional Services industries develop sales processes for their products and services.
Colin also has ownership interests in two other businesses. Canada StartUp.com focuses on helping new business owners learn the art of selling in order to grow their business. Cleanwerx is a franchise business Colin started with four partners, focusing on the exterior cleaning and maintenance for corporate and multi-unit residential buildings.
A graduate of The University of Western Ontario, Colin is also well known for his professional speaking and training programs. Colin currently is a facilitator with the BCIT Corporate Training Program, and teaches entrepreneurial sales skills to the Venture program at BCIT. He has done a monthly sales training seminar for over 1000 entrepreneurs in the last 10 years for Successful Contracting and Consulting, was Vice President of the Sales and Marketing Executives, is a member of the Advisory Board for the Business school of the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and has been the keynote speaker at several international events.
Colin is also heavily involved in the non-profit sector, doing corporate fundraising with United Way, and sits on the planning board for the Vancouver Canary Foundation for Cancer research.
A veteran innovator and educator of customer service, contact center, and social media technology, Gustavo is an accomplished software entrepreneur and visionary. He has held various roles in the telecommunications industry in sales, business development, and technology strategy. Gustavo has a unique perspective and is active in technologies such as Voice over IP (VoIP), social media, Computer Telephony Integration (CTI), Interactive Voice Response (IVR), and multi-media self-service applications.
Gustavo has several published articles and was recently published in the International Engineering Consortium’s “Annual Review of Communications, Volume 60.”
In 2002, he was awarded a patent for a Personal Agent Greetings in a Communication-Center Environment.
Gustavo is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and an international professional and keynote speaker having spoken in more than 15 countries at industry trade shows, sales-training seminars, university guest lectures, and company events.
Adrienne is a BC-based communications professional with solid experience working in large and small companies in the aviation, high tech, defence and non-profit sectors. She thrives on strengthening organizations through communication and performance improvement strategies and believes that employees are an organization's true powerhouse. To Adrienne, effective communication provides an ideal opportunity to integrate the principles of adult learning with strategic business objectives to drive results.
She finds particular delight working with individuals to streamline their presentation development, hone their presentation skills and to ensure consistency in messages. Whether she is working with an established CEO to ensure that presentations are meaningful to the intended audience, or working with a sole proprietor who wants to make an impact, Adrienne has a gift for "translating" a message to meet the audience needs and is a teacher at heart.
Known for her dynamic and interactive presentations, Adrienne White has been a welcomed presenter in Canada and the US. She is driven to share information that has the potential to make business (and life in general) better.
Adrienne did her undergrad work in Adult Learning and has recently completed a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership with a focus on leader communication. She has been involved in many non-profit organizations and is past president of the International Society for Performance improvement's Vancouver chapter. Striving for balance is an important part of her life, but says that you'll have to ask her about that yourself!
Leslee Richardson
An Image Consultant with 30 years experience, Leslee owns Rich Impressions, and offers Personal & Professional Development through Image Consulting and Career Planning /Transitions.
Her experience in hair salons, modeling and the fashion industry in Montreal and Toronto enables Leslee to assist individuals with their overall look, matching it to their personal style. Leslee offers coaching on posture, body language and communication to create a whole package.
In addition, Leslee is a trained Career Development Practitioner and coaches individuals with their career and employment transitions. She also offer group workshops for individuals in transition.
Leslee’s services are ideal for Entrepreneurs, Individuals in Career Transition, Job Seekers attending interviews and any man or woman who would like to upgrade their personal and professional presence through their image, communication and presentation.
An Image Consultant with 30 years experience, Leslee owns Rich Impressions, and offers Personal & Professional Development through Image Consulting and Career Planning /Transitions.
Her experience in hair salons, modeling and the fashion industry in Montreal and Toronto enables Leslee to assist individuals with their overall look, matching it to their personal style. Leslee offers coaching on posture, body language and communication to create a whole package.
In addition, Leslee is a trained Career Development Practitioner and coaches individuals with their career and employment transitions. She also offer group workshops for individuals in transition.
Leslee’s services are ideal for Entrepreneurs, Individuals in Career Transition, Job Seekers attending interviews and any man or woman who would like to upgrade their personal and professional presence through their image, communication and presentation.
Alessandra Ringstad is a professional trainer, speaker, and coach with a significant record of achievement in corporate training as well as business and career coaching. The over 15 years of experience which she gained both locally and overseas allows her to achieve extraordinary results in a variety of instruction and speaking environments. She coaches individual business clients and develops diverse course curricula for many different programs and business schools.
Bringing life and humour to training sessions, she captures audiences and delivers informative courses. In business coaching, she takes businesses to the next level helping them set higher goals and increase their market share while maintaining a balanced organization. She uses her wealth of knowledge and genuine interest in others to guide clients in moving forward, in gaining awareness, and in establishing or finding renewed passion in their business, leadership and personal goals.
She ensures that companies attain their communication and business goals whether it’s consulting to develop new programs or processes, training to augment existing systems, or providing individual coaching. She offers companies and individuals a variety of tools and techniques that they can use to make the most of their corporate goals and personal passions.
Alessandra actively contributes on many volunteer boards and projects such as acting as trustee on the YMCA Board of Endowment Trustees. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in German and French as well as teaching and other training certifications.
Maurice (Mo) Lavergne, a Business Loan Consultant and owner of Financial Options has enjoyed a successful career in the Banking Industry. His 28 years of experience covers a variety of management positions including District Manager of the Fraser Valley B.C. area. His course covers banking and financing services for small business, including such topics as: credit rating, personal financial statements, financing options, loan products, financing sources. His personal philosophy is: Work Hard, Have Fun, Be Nice.
Other experience also includes facilitating Management Coaching, Team Development and Sales Skills workshops for bankers. He has completed a number of credit courses such as Credit Analysis for Lenders Certificate, Farm credit courses at the Guelph, Ontario College and other management and credit related internal banking courses.
Maurice is a graduate of the SCC program, the Douglas College Self Employment program and is undertaking a BC Instructor Diploma program with Vancouver Community College.
In regard to his Consulting business his goal is to help small business owners succeed and his mission is to improve the financial performance of their businesses. His biggest reward in life is knowing that he has played a small part in someone's development and success.
He may be reached at: foptions@telus.net
Jennifer Gervès-Keen, M.A. is a skilled coach and facilitator, and has worked with a variety of stakeholders in both international and local organizations. Her areas of expertise include business and professional coaching, business communication, career transition and entrepreneurship. Her unique ability to understand her clients’ needs, coupled with her innate business acumen, make her an inspiring and effective coach and facilitator.
Jennifer’s experience includes management and development positions in corporate training, administration and non-profit. Her rich and diverse background touches on many sectors including manufacturing, law, international press and politics. Consequently, her workshops are rich with practical, real-life business knowledge and experience. An enthusiastic and motivating coach and facilitator, Jennifer takes great pleasure in empowering her clients to reach their full potential. Previous clients include Airbus, Alcan, BOSCH, L’Oreal, Scania Production, Toshiba, and Right Management. Jennifer trains and coaches in British Columbia, as well as working in Iran twice a year for Radman Consulting.
Daniel Dittrich
Daniel Dittrich is a Senior Project Manager with more than 10 years experience in consulting and international project management. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and has worked on IT projects in France, Switzerland, Germany and Canada. As project manager for the European IT Division at Robert Bosch (the world’s largest automotive supplier) he managed Business Intelligence projects. Daniel also worked as senior project manager for the City of Vancouver.
Daniel holds a Masters Degree in Information Systems from a top rated university in Germany as well as a Business Degree from a leading Business School (ESC) in France. He has extensive international training experience combined with the Train the Trainer Certificate as part of the BC Instructor Diploma program at the Vancouver Community College.
Daniel Dittrich is a Senior Project Manager with more than 10 years experience in consulting and international project management. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and has worked on IT projects in France, Switzerland, Germany and Canada. As project manager for the European IT Division at Robert Bosch (the world’s largest automotive supplier) he managed Business Intelligence projects. Daniel also worked as senior project manager for the City of Vancouver.
Daniel holds a Masters Degree in Information Systems from a top rated university in Germany as well as a Business Degree from a leading Business School (ESC) in France. He has extensive international training experience combined with the Train the Trainer Certificate as part of the BC Instructor Diploma program at the Vancouver Community College.
Alex Larson
Alex Larson is a performance consultant, facilitator, coach and mediator. As the principal of Resolution Systems Training & Consulting, Alex specializes in working with clients to improve human resource performance. She consults with teams and groups identifying performance gaps and aligning learning initiatives with performance and corporate objectives.
As a performance consultant Alex works with clients to identify the root cause of performance challenges. This ensures that a targeted and effective intervention is implemented that addresses the gap and aligns performance and process needs to business goals. As a coach Alex has worked with individuals on performance development as well as supporting leaders and staff to build capacity and achieve goals. As a mediator she has worked with individuals, teams and work groups who are experiencing unresolved conflict. Using a resolution change process she facilitates a shift in behaviours that result in an enduring behavioural change. As a facilitator Alex has guided team and group processes, and designed and delivered a variety of soft skills training programs.
Alex has 14 years experience in the training and development field working across a wide variety of sectors including high technology, telecommunications, banking, and school districts. She has consulted in the areas of needs assessment, design, delivery, performance and evaluation as well as leading national and international training teams. She started her learning and development career with United Parcel Service, moving onto progressive positions with Telus as an internal Learning and Performance Consultant and for eBay as an L & D Manager for their international training team
Alex has studied numerous programs with a focus on organization and human resource performance. Adult Education Diploma, VCC, Human Resources Certificate, VCC, Marketing Management Certificate, BCIT, BA Communications, SFU, Leadership & Conflict Resolution Certificate, JIBC, Certified Conflict Resolution Coach, JIBC, Certified Third Party Mediator (candidate), JIBC
Alex Larson is a performance consultant, facilitator, coach and mediator. As the principal of Resolution Systems Training & Consulting, Alex specializes in working with clients to improve human resource performance. She consults with teams and groups identifying performance gaps and aligning learning initiatives with performance and corporate objectives.
As a performance consultant Alex works with clients to identify the root cause of performance challenges. This ensures that a targeted and effective intervention is implemented that addresses the gap and aligns performance and process needs to business goals. As a coach Alex has worked with individuals on performance development as well as supporting leaders and staff to build capacity and achieve goals. As a mediator she has worked with individuals, teams and work groups who are experiencing unresolved conflict. Using a resolution change process she facilitates a shift in behaviours that result in an enduring behavioural change. As a facilitator Alex has guided team and group processes, and designed and delivered a variety of soft skills training programs.
Alex has 14 years experience in the training and development field working across a wide variety of sectors including high technology, telecommunications, banking, and school districts. She has consulted in the areas of needs assessment, design, delivery, performance and evaluation as well as leading national and international training teams. She started her learning and development career with United Parcel Service, moving onto progressive positions with Telus as an internal Learning and Performance Consultant and for eBay as an L & D Manager for their international training team
Alex has studied numerous programs with a focus on organization and human resource performance. Adult Education Diploma, VCC, Human Resources Certificate, VCC, Marketing Management Certificate, BCIT, BA Communications, SFU, Leadership & Conflict Resolution Certificate, JIBC, Certified Conflict Resolution Coach, JIBC, Certified Third Party Mediator (candidate), JIBC
John Boon owns and operates HKMK Law Corporation and HKMK Management and Media Corporation.
He is a business lawyer and consultant, writer, speaker and educator. For decades, his focus has been business management and development, business law and regulation and related law reforms and information, education and dialogue products. Much of his work is currently focused on the global workplace and related operations, migration and education. He believes that this work and economic, business and social development issues generally are inextricably related to global security matters.
John moved to BC in 1988. From 1984 until 1987, he was a businessman and a senior policy and legal analyst with the Saskatchewan Department of Justice where he headed extensive programs of business law reform and enforcement. Prior to 1984 he was a university student, businessman, broadcaster and political journalist and advisor.
John has degrees in Political and Economic Studies and his Law degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He also holds a certificate in International Trade from the Forum for International Trade Training.
John’s family has farmed in Saskatchewan since 1905 and he carries on that tradition with the help of family living on the prairies. His interests include spending time with his two daughters, hiking, dancing, cycling, traveling, reading (non-fiction) and news and current affairs. John can be reached at john.boon@hkmk.ca
David has over thirty years experience in all levels of management from first line supervision to Chief Executive Officer. For the past 25 years David has been a Business Management Consultant with an impressive list of Clients. Prior to becoming a Consultant he was part of the senior management team of several Fortune 500 companies including:
• Retail - Henry Birks and Sons Ltd. • Canada’s largest jewellery manufacturer and retailer with over 5,000 employees in 73 locations across Canada
• Transportation - Wardair International • Canada’s third largest airline, operating charter flights worldwide with an outstanding reputation for service
• Natural Resources • Luscar Ltd., operating 10 mines throughout Canada and the United States and actively involved in Oil and Gas production.
David’s forte has been in improving productivity whilst increasing profitability for his clients. His international management experience includes working in Europe, Asia and throughout North America. Practicing what he preaches David has established and run several successful companies including trading with China and Mexico. His public speaking abilities and futuristic vision have led to his popularity as a guest speaker and motivational facilitator. David has taught Entrepreneurship and Marketing at several post secondary institutions. He has presented papers at such prestigious organizations as Penn State University, University of Southern Illinois, Colorado School of Mines, University of Alberta and scores of special-interest groups and organizations. His articles have been carried by many of the top publications throughout North America.
David is the former chair of the B.C. Ethics In Action Society, an annual awards program for businesses that have demonstrated ethical practices. He is on the Board of several not for profit community organizations and is the former Chair of the Marketing Committee for the Human Resource Management Association of British Columbia.
He is a Strategic Business Partner with Profiles International Ltd., a world leader in providing web based employee assessment tools.
He can be reached at drh1604@shaw.ca
Ruth has been working with clients to help their organizations grow for over 20 years. Her Sales and Marketing background in media means real and practical solutions for businesspeople.
Ruth has produced award-winning performance with some of the most successful companies in British Columbia while employed with media giants Rogers Broadcasting, CBC Television and The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.
A graduate in Physical & Health Education from Queen's University, Ruth operated her own employee fitness contracting business. Most recently, Ruth was Executive Director and Program Manager for Successful Contracting & Consulting, a training program for aspiring contractors and consultants.
Currently the President of Go Consult Inc., Ruth can be reached at ruth@goconsult.ca