Staff

With prior experience owning and operating a construction firm and as a management consultant, Anne-Marie knows first-hand the challenges in establishing a viable business. Anne-Marie has in-depth experience in workshop facilitation and the employment services sector. While working in the information technology field Anne-Marie developed online training, conducted training sessions, and managed courseware development teams. Clients included the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Transport Canada, BNR, TRW, Workers' Compensation Board of BC, and Sprint. Anne-Marie calls Nelson, British Columbia, home. In her down time she enjoys weight training, skiing, and attending live performances locally and in neighbouring communities. Family pet to Anne-Marie and her family is Samy, their cuddly guinea pig.

With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Simon Fraser University, George has a keen interest in organizational governance and international relations. George has travelled far and wide to many corners of the world where he has enjoyed sipping a coffee in Lviv, Ukraine, delivering coding workshops in Yerevan, Armenia, and finding his way out of a labyrinth of heat-soaked ruins in Pafos, Cyprus. Closer to home, George can be found partaking in the odd anthropological observation on the humans of Vancouver or riding his bike from point A to point B.

Mary enjoys her role immensely and is a strong believer in the benefit that continuing education provides. Mary holds a Diploma in Massage Therapy and certifications in Life Skills Coaching and E-Business Management with additional studies in Psychology, Pharmacology, Public Health, Counselling, and Small Business Management. Mary currently lives in Grand-Barachois, New Brunswick, where she enjoys reading a good book, spending time outdoors, and quality time with friends and family. Mary has two adorable rescue dogs named Irina and Hope.

Complete with her Diploma in Medical Office Administration from Ontario Business College, Beth Ann also holds additional certifications that include project management, LEADS leadership capabilities, and quality improvement processes. Beth Ann values the continuous learning that comes with accepting new challenges, while encouraging others to pursue their own goals for personal and career growth. Beth Ann resides in rural South Eastern Ontario and spends much of her free time exploring the local beaches and the countryside with her family in all Canadian seasons. As an accomplished pianist and occasional violinist, Beth Ann finds a creative outlet performing at formal events or as part of a garage band. She also consumes many types of reading materials, including books on mystery and suspense, and articles and journals ranging from politics to home design. Lilly the tabby cat adds a lot of adventure and character to Beth Ann’s days as a remote team member for Make A Change Canada.

Julia is excited to be part of our team helping our clients achieve their career and educational goals. Outside of work, Julia enjoys being active, spending time outside, being with friends and family, trying new local restaurants, and walking her adorable dog, Bauer, a Boston terrier and French bulldog mix. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, travelling was a large part of Julia's life. Her most memorable trip was backpacking in Costa Rica.

Rory was born and raised in rural Nakusp, British Columbia, but lived in Toronto, Ontario, for three years where she interned at a nonprofit, assisting with online community programming, and then moved on to work in experiential marketing at a fast-paced downtown firm. A Kootenay girl at heart, Rory returned to the mountains last year to be closer to her family. As an avid ice hockey player, Rory has played and refereed recreational and competitive hockey for the last 20 years. This has taken her across Canada and even overseas to compete. As a self-proclaimed wanderer, in less active times you can find Rory cooking up a storm, snapping photos, and enjoying all that nature has to offer.

Jen's passion involves seeing people succeed and helping to motivate them beyond what they believe is possible. A graduate of the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Arts (with honours), Jen is a lifelong learner. Jen also is a traveller at heart previously living and working in Victoria, British Columbia; Toronto, Ontario; and even Dublin, Ireland. Currently Jen calls Nelson, British Columbia, home. Other activities Jen enjoys include pickleball, RhythmDance, visual art making, and (their ultimate creative passion) clowning.

Prior to business coaching, Louise worked for 18 years in the publishing industry in Vancouver and northern Alberta, where she was co-owner and publisher of a local newspaper. Public relations, production, and management were a large part of Louise’s role, and she earned significant recognition with her award-winning graphic designs. An adventurer at heart, Louise is passionate about the 13th century. As a published author, Louise has travelled twice to Montségur, France, to conduct research for her book The Last Cathar, published in 2015. Louise is now writing the sequel to this book, to be released during 2019. If that was not accomplishment enough, Louise is also a talented fabric and textile artist. Customers throughout the United States and as far away as the United Kingdom and Argentina have purchased her exquisite silk wall hangings. Louise currently resides in Innisfil, Ontario, where she enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren and her dog, Stoker.

 Drawing on her strong entrepreneurial side, Tara also owns a communications consulting firm: The Time to Write Communication Solutions. In her spare time, Tara enjoys writing poetry and creative non-fiction. Other interests include graphic design, mountain biking, kickboxing, birdwatching, and exploring the great outdoors. Tara’s love of nature comes from her time spent working at a bird rescue facility, one of her most memorable jobs to date. Originally from Prince George and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Tara now resides in Nelson, British Columbia.

Eager to return to Canada, JA packed her car with whatever would fit and landed in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. From there she moved to 100 Mile House where she earned her certification in Adult Education and, amongst other endeavours, became the community service provider for BC Works! in 100 Mile House and Williams Lake. JA developed her entrepreneurial drive during her formative years, working alongside her family in their cider mill, and at one time co-owned a welding and marine company in B.C. Today JA resides in Brampton, Ontario. Throughout her career JA has provided business coaching, employment counselling, and life skills training through a myriad of career services and educational organizations. JA has given her time through volunteerism to help at-risk youth and has helped support and supervise peer group grief facilitators. An avid learner, JA continues to enhance her skills and knowledge. Topics near to her heart include herbology, quantum theory, human potential, metaphysics, and thanatology. JA’s most cherished moments are those spent with her deaf rescue dog, Nova, a Central Asian shepherd from Israel. Nova’s unique look resembles that of a polar bear, and he is often called on to pose for photographs with strangers, something that JA always recalls with a smile.

With her extensive knowledge and interest in assisting individuals facing employment barriers, including those living with a disability, Melissa believes that given the right support, there is a job for everyone. Not surprisingly, Melissa’s optimistic nature energizes our team in a positive way. Melissa has a personal interest in animal welfare and advocacy. She is a big supporter of animal charities and the adoption of pets needing a loving home. Melissa rescued her own dog, Max, from the OSPCA, who now enjoys going on long hikes in the woods with Melissa. Other interesting facts about Melissa are that sushi is her favourite food and she enjoys picking up a good action and adventure book.

Between her educational background, which includes a Diploma in Creative Communications from Red River College and numerous multidisciplinary courses through UWinnipeg, her impassioned volunteer experiences, and her varied professional roles; Holly is an enthusiastic and skilled team member working to create win-win opportunities for employers and our program participants alike. Holly is equally energized by the creative arts. She enjoys painting, batik, sculpture, caricaturing, and experiential art, but most of all, designing new creations out of found objects with her imaginative four-year-old granddaughter. The lure of the outdoors in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island where Holly now resides has her exploring the local trails daily with Joey, her adorable chihuahua and papillon mix.

Colin also owns Keane Computing Solutions, a tech firm specializing in web development and web programming and is known for building “massive” websites. Students appreciate the wealth of knowledge and practical experience Colin brings to his role and his focus on the success of students needing assistance and support. Colin exemplifies our guiding principles through the dedicated service he provides to students in our programs. When he isn’t deep into problem solving or teaching students new skills, Colin enjoys travelling and especially going on cruises. With his great sense of humour, don’t be surprised if you hear Colin crack a joke or two.

In his spare time Steve enjoys spending time relaxing with his family and their two dogs, Mable, a Portuguese Water Dog, and Claudette, a rescue Shih Tzu. He also enjoys cooking and exploring new “tech” trends as they become available. Steve is originally from Ontario and now resides in “Friendly Manitoba.”