Presenters' bios are listed by alphabetical order. 

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Norman Amundson

Dr. Amundson is a Professor in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He has given numerous workshops and has been a keynote speaker at many national and international conferences. In his writings, he emphasizes the importance of creativity, imagination, cultural awareness, positive affirmation, hope, and active engagement. He has authored many publications, his most recent being a 2018 anniversary edition of his award winning book, “Active Engagement”.

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Jayne  Barron

Jayne Barron, CPHR, CCDP, CRS received BCCDA’s Practitioner of the Year Award and has trained hundreds of emerging and established practitioners across the country in Case Management, Job Development, Theories, and Professional Ethics. Jayne has 20+ years in employment services and is an independent practitioner and online instructor with Life Strategies and Career Professionals of Canada (CPC). Jayne also founded the Job Developers Resource Network (LinkedIn) and sits on the Board of Advisors for CPC. 

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Karen Begemann

Karen Begemann, M.Ed., CCDP is a career consultant in private practice, Work Matters Consulting, and a contract instructor for Douglas College and the BC Career Development Association. Karen has a M.Ed in Counselling and 14 years’ experience in the non-profit employment services sector. She excels at encouraging clients to think creatively to reach their goals, with proven results. Her classes are interactive, packed with practical tips and fun. 

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Tony Botelho

Tony Botelho is the Director of SFU Career & Volunteer Services, an office that was recognized as an impressive model of practice by CERIC (2017) and received the Special Award for Innovation by a Career Centre from TalentEgg (2015). He was awarded the Rob Shea Research Award (CACEE, 2014) for his research on the role of career education in the contemporary university environment and his second grade teacher once said he was “a pleasure to have in the class”.

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Chris Callanan

Chris Callanan is Team Leader of Employment Services with North Island Employment (NIEFS). He was last year's BCCDA “Emerging Career Practitioner of the Year” award recipient.

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Juliana de Souza

Juliana de Souza is Career Development Practitioner with 8+ years’ experience in the employment field, including facilitation, employment counselling, job development and coordination roles. Knowledgeable and curious about the BC tech scene, De Souza has coordinated employment programs specific to tech professionals. Her goal is to help develop a strong tech community that will benefit all British Columbians.

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Terry Deakin

As owner of INEO Employment Services since 1998, Terry has steadily grown the business from a one person show to managing multiple contracts with 17 employees. INEO’s major contract is a partnership with Island Work Transitions, Inc to provide Employment Program of BC services to the Specialized Populations in Port Alberni. Having experienced her own barriers to employment, her rehabilitation led to a love of education. Terry recently completed a Master of Arts in Community Development to round out her Diploma in Human Services, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management degree. Her career priority is to support individuals to overcome employment barriers and build healthier lifestyles that help to develop a vibrant and sustainable community.

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Michaela Fengstad

Michaela is a creative, client-centered career coach with over 15 years of combined experience in career counselling, case management, facilitation, adult & youth education, and radio broadcasting. She has a Bachelor of Education and a Certificate in Career Development from SFU. Born and raised in Eastern Europe, she is currently an Employment Counsellor for Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants Program, coaching newcomers on how to reach their employment goals and also on how to embrace diversity and practice inclusion.

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Jennifer Fraser

Jennifer is an educator, researcher and author. She is presently working on designing curriculum and writing a new book: Career Driven: Fuel up with Neuroscience on the School-to-Work Journey.

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Valerie G. Ward

Valerie G. Ward, M.A., is a career development specialist with over 30 years’ experience in developing programs, learning resources, partnerships, and strategies to meet the career development and labour market adjustment needs of service providers and their clients. She is the co-developer and owner of the Employment Readiness Scale™ (ERS) (www.EmploymentReadiness.info) and heads Valerie G. Ward Consulting Ltd. near Vancouver, BC.

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Alexis Greenwood

Alexis Greenwood has been a librarian at Vancouver Public Library for 13 years. She has worked in the areas of business, labour market, and employment for the last 11 years. As the Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre Coordinator she helps library patrons find information about career development, employment, networking, mentoring, volunteering and anything else they want to know. In the past 7 months she has helped organize 6 successful networking events. 

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Susanna Gurr

Susanna Gurr is the Managing Director of the BC Centre for Employment Excellence (Centre). She is also a Research Director for the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC). 

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Candy Ho

Candy Ho teaches at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Educational Studies and Co-operative Education departments, and is an SFU doctoral candidate (educational leadership).

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Roxanne Hughes

Roxanne Hughes, MSW, RSW has been an FASD Key Worker, with PCRS, for the past 11 years. She provides individualized and group supports to families who are parenting youth who have FASD or similar Neurodevelopmental disorders. Roxanne offers training to a broad range of community partners specific to brain based disabilities. She is a member of the FASD Collaboration Roundtable, who work collaboratively to identify, advocate and provide training in regards to FASD.

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Holly Hume

Engaging, fun, and passionate, Holly is a certified Career Development Practitioner who enjoys facilitating workshops and creatively assisting Boundary area residents meet their employment related goals. Holly has worked with Community Futures Boundary for 10 years as an Employment Program of BC Case Manager, Workshop Facilitator, and Youth Program Coordinator. Holly completed her Social Work Diploma in Calgary where she worked with various social services agencies with individuals, families and youth at risk.

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Dr. Ken Keis

Ken Keis, Ph.D., President and CEO of Consulting Resource Group International, Inc., is a global authority on behavioral assessment strategies and processes, and an expert in leadership, purpose and wellness. He has authored over 500 articles, four books, and 12 assessments to help others realize their full potential. In the past 29 years, Ken has conducted more than 3000 presentations and 10,000 hours of consulting and coaching.

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Christine Klar

Chris has extensive experience building the capacity of communities and employers to mentor and support young people in their future building activities. She is a founding member of an international non-profit organization, Youth Challenge International, has taught post secondary international business students, consulted on national and provincial employment programs and has managed international development projects.

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Greg Lockwood

Greg Lockwood has held the role of Stakeholder Coordinator at the Centre since 2012 and is a Research Associate at SRDC.

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Dr. Kris Magnusson

Dr. Kris Magnusson serves as Dean, Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University (SFU). His academic work primarily focuses on counselling psychology and career development. 

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Roberta Neault

Dr. Roberta Neault, President of Life Strategies Ltd., co-developed the career engagement model with Dr. Deirdre Pickerell; Deirdre and Roberta are co-leading ongoing research on the model to investigate new applications within schools and diverse workplaces. An award-winning career development thought leader in Canada and internationally and recipient of BCCDA’s Mentor of the Year Award and the Gold Medal for International Leadership in Career Development, Roberta speaks, consults, and writes extensively on career-related topics.

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Gwen Pawlikowski

A former ISSofBC employment counsellor, Gwen Pawlikowski, M.A., develops tools and programs to improve the outcomes of newcomers seeking employment. Blending her training in adult education and communications, Gwen has recently developed resources to support newcomers from regulated fields seeking alternative careers. In addition, she has produced mini-documentaries and Prezis on immigrants in mining and co-organized two conferences, one focused on cleantech, for newcomer professionals. Linking newcomers to rewarding opportunities drives Gwen’s enthusiasm.

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Deirdre Pickerell

Deirdre Pickerell, PhD, is an award-winning career professional with 25 years’ experience. She is an educator, researcher, and leader in the career development field. Deirdre is a sought-after speaker known for her interactive and humorous presentation style. She has been developing and teaching courses, speaking, and writing on ethical practice for close to 15 years.

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Seanna Quressette

Seanna has over 30 years experience in the Career Development sector and has training CDPs for more than 20 years. Seanna brings to her workshops and courses intelligence, creativity and humour. People describe her workshops as interactive and engaging.

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Jeanine  Reemst

With over 15 years in the career counselling and employment preparedness field, Jeanine works on the foundation that the key to career success is rooted in self-promotion and confidence. Currently teaching at Camosun College, she works with students everyday helping them prepare for their post graduate experience. Holding both her CCDP and RRP designations, Jeanine has woven a background in Career and Employment coaching by focusing on the importance of combining networking and selling ones assets and skills. By using analogies, humor and engaging participatory delivery, Jeanine provides her students with the tools to be confident ambassadors of their respective craft.

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Nadia Serry

Nadia is a BC registered clinical counsellor, BC certified career development practitioner, a diversity consultant, and a BC certified teacher. She works on a contract basis for Yorkville University, ISS of BC, and she has a part-time private counselling practice specialized in the areas of chronic pain and trauma. Nadia worked for decades with immigrants and persons with disabilities. She has passion for integrating wellness and mindfulness into her work. Nadia has decades of international work experience.

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Barbara A. Smith

Barbara A. Smith, M.Ed., M.A. is an award winning Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Ph.D. Candidate at UBC living, working, and creating on the unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw People in Nanaimo. She works in private practice in the field of child, youth, and adult mental health, and holds career development as central to well being. Her clinical work, teaching, and research focus on creativity, play and expressive therapies, mental health, hope, and career.

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Lisa Stephen

Lisa Stephen, Career Transition Specialist: Resumes can be so much more! With 15 years of experience in career services, Lisa’s niche in writing resumes stems from her deep belief that clients have far more value than they often recognize, and it deserves to be well showcased. Alongside a BA in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education degree, her love of crafting content rich resumes led her to become a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

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Alison Stewart

Alison Stewart, RRP, is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor with an MA in Counselling Psychology from UBC. Ms. Stewart works with Arthritis Research Canada Making It Work Program. She worked five years as VRC at GF Strong for clients with brain injury, spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal conditions, and arthritis. Ms. Stewart implemented a Vocational Counselling Program for adolescent survivors of cancer at Children’s, assisting adolescents and families with strengths and limitations related to future career goals.

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Rhonda Terbasket

Rhonda Terbasket is a member of the Okanagan Nation and has been in the employment field for 18 years associated with the Okanagan Training & Development Council. She is committed to helping indigenous youth, men and women find their passion in their career while building relationships with other service providers. Rhonda loves working with community members, employers and decision makers in creating programs that will support the growth of indigenous clients in any capacity.

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Kristin Vandegriend

Kristin Vandegriend is a seasoned career practitioner and the founder of Career Story. Through her company, she coaches and supports clients to take control of their careers and communicate their value in the workplace and during career transitions. With 10+ years of experience in the HR and careers field, she has successfully worked with a variety of clients within a wide range of industries.

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Paula Wischoff Yerama

Paula Wischoff Yerama, CCDP, is Executive Director of the CDAA and Chair of the 3CD Certification Working Group. She is proud to have served on Team Canada at two ICCDPP Symposia (2015 and 2017), and Chaired Team Canada in Korea in 2017.

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Dave Wood

Dave Wood has Masters Degrees in Psychology and Public Administration but he considers the more important qualification for bringing this topic to the conference is an open mind and a heart for helping others. From a rational perspective, he is an ENFP with Social and Investigative Holland interests. From a more intuitive perspective, his archetype is the magician (also known as a Shaman or Medicine Man/Woman) with a wolf as his spirit animal.

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Dr. Cindy Xin

Dr. Cindy Xin is an educational consultant at SFU’s Teaching and Learning Centre. She is also an adjunct professor in SFU’s Faculty of Education, teaching and supervising graduate students.

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Dr. Arzina Zaver

Dr. Arzina Zaver holds a PhD in Education from McGill University. She has been an educator in bothte public and private system, and has taught in Canada, Europe and Trinidad and Tobago. Currently she works in Training and Development and also provides professional education consulting to students.