Nick Forrest
Nick Forrest is the founder and President
of Forrest & Company.
Nick’s personal practice focuses on executive coaching, facilitating offsite
executive team planning, designing and facilitating leadership development programs
and organizational design issues. He has worked with CEOs, senior executives and
their teams in Canada and the United States.
Prior to forming Forrest & Company in 1987, Nick held several staff and management
positions at Sears Canada for over a decade, and was responsible for corporate
strategic plan communication, corporate leadership development, and organizational
behaviour.
Recent representative projects
• Created and delivered the senior management development program for a
major Canadian franchise retailer. Since 1993, over 600 senior managers and executives
have come through the program, which has been judged to be the key to the company’s
current success as a market leader.
• Managed a major organizational design process aimed at raising the quality
of a loyalty marketing group’s strategic and creative service by clarifying
and improving accountability.
• Worked with the senior executive of the marketing team of a major Canadian
retailer to clarify the strategy required to present a unified face to the customer
while undergoing major changes.
• Provided strategic change management support to an executive at a global
food manufacturer, helping two plant management teams conclude that the changes
benefitted everyone – company, management and union.
• Assisted the CEO and executive team of a regional financial institution
to initiate and execute a major cultural shift, raising the level of trust and
enabling the organization to strengthen their competitive advantage.
Julian Chapman
Julian Chapman is Forrest’s Vice-President of Coaching & Facilitation, accountable for delivery of the Forrest experience through the Forrest team of trainers, coaches, facilitators and consultants. Julian is a seasoned member of the senior management team and has conducted training, coaching, facilitation and consulting sessions with many of Forrest’s clients. Some of his recent projects have included simulations for leadership development, organizational redesign projects, senior executive coaching, and extensive leadership training. In his role at Forrest, Julian travels extensively nationally and internationally, assisting Forrest’s clients in designing solutions on how they can achieve extraordinary results using the Forrest methodologies.
Julian is the Managing Director of the Centre for Effective Thinking, established by Forrest & Company to provide businesses with the tools to improve organizational thinking and performance. As such, he is one of a select few Master Trainers for Effective Intelligence™ in the world, and is the licensee for Effective Intelligence™ Mapping at Forrest.
Julian joined Forrest in 2002 after a stimulating career as a self-employed consultant in leadership development. He worked for a variety of clients including Bombardier Aerospace and the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. In his spare time, he is a colonel in the Army Reserve and commands 32 Canadian Brigade Group which comprises over 2,000 soldiers in the Greater Toronto Area.
Julian holds a BA from the University of Toronto, and is a graduate of the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College. He lives in Toronto, is married with four children, and as a result, does not play golf well.
Tony Welsh
Tony Welsh, Vice-President, Design & Consulting, brings over 25 years of a wide variety of training, design and organizational development experience to Forrest & Company Limited. He has developed many cutting-edge training initiatives: game system consulting for the Unilever Management Simulation, lead designer and Course Director for the 8-week United Nations Integrated Mission Staff Officer course at the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, and designer/developer of the Bombardier (de Havilland) Leadership College.
Tony Welsh is an expert process facilitator for several Forrest’s programs, including the lead facilitator for the Leading Into Tomorrow™, The Leadership Path™ and the Forrest PEMA™ planning program. He is licensed to conduct a number of other internationally recognized programs, and is accredited in many organizational and assessment tools and processes. Tony has also created and developed several programs, including the Ain’t Easy Being Green creativity program and has led the design of Forrest’s current “Leadership Suite” program offerings. Tony has also worked with many organizations leading them to clarify their vision, values, strategies and plans. One of his strengths is helping organizations to identify, measure and develop the organizational competencies that drive the success of these companies.
Tony has been employed in management positions focusing on development and organizational effectiveness at Bombardier de Havilland and Ontario Power Generation Inc. For several years, he served on the faculty of the NATO/SHAPE School in Germany as an instructor in operational/strategic civil military cooperation. Tony has recently retired from the Canadian Army Reserve at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Among other accomplishments during his 30 years of service, he commanded Canada’s oldest airborne infantry regiment, the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.
Sally Forrest
Sally Forrest has been with Forrest
& Company since 1991 as Vice-President, Finance & Administration. Her previous
experience included nine years recruiting in the computer field, eight years
with IBM Canada in systems engineering and sales as well as positions in the
investment management and insurance fields.
Sally has an Honours BA in Anthropology from the University of Toronto.
Michael Anderson
Michael Anderson, Vice-President, Strategy,
is an experienced consultant and teacher with a background in business strategy,
organizational development, leadership development and coaching, technology strategy
and change management. He has worked with senior executives and executive teams
in the private sector and at all three levels of government, and has held positions
in Canada, the United States and Bermuda.
Recent projects have included developing e-business and acquisitions strategies
for major retail corporations. Michael has also helped organizations improve
distance collaboration and create concrete implementation plans during periods
of change.
Michael is also president of Oak Tree Associates. Previously, he was a director
and executive vice president at Johnston Smith International for nine years,
managing organizational effectiveness practices and internal governance matters.
Michael was vice president, management consulting at DMR Group (now part of
Fujitsu Consulting) and held a series of management positions at Imperial Oil
(Esso). Michael has taught courses in change management and organizational effectiveness
in the University of Toronto’s Executive MBA program, at the Kellogg School
of Management, Northwestern University, and the University of Denver.
Michael is currently writing The Leadership Tango with Brian Brittain.
Kim Caughlin
Kim Caughlin is Director of Coaching & Facilitation with Forrest &
Company. Kim is a seasoned business professional with over 20 years of
consulting, sales, marketing and management experience. Her career has been
focused on high-growth, fast-paced, innovative markets such as import/export,
telecommunications, hi-tech and executive leadership.
In her seven years with
Forrest & Company, Kim has combined her business acumen with a passion for
training, program design, coaching and process facilitating. Her energy,
enthusiasm and expertise are sought after in all sectors and at all levels, from
senior executives to front-line employees.
Kim is an active volunteer with the
YWCA, responsible for planning, fundraising and implementing such events as the
annual Women of Distinction Awards that celebrate contributions toward improving
the lives of women and children in Toronto. Kim holds an Honours degree in
Philosophy from the University of Western Ontario and a Diploma in Training and
Development from the University of Toronto.
Sylvia Bethlenfalvy
As Director, Leadership & Development for Forrest & Company Limited, Sylvia is well-versed in identifying, developing and managing private and public sector accounts, thanks to her strong background in sales and marketing. Most recently, Sylvia was with Iserve Technology Consulting Limited, and was formerly with Pitney Bowes of Canada.
Sylvia is a graduate of McGill University and has completed her post-graduate studies in industrial relations at the London School of Economics. Having attended five years of high school in Switzerland, she is also fully fluent in French. Sylvia has successfully completed the Foundations for Professional Coaching course at the Adler School of Professional Coaching.
Sylvia's interests include golf (she has an 18 handicap!) and she is an active volunteer.
Shauna Sedgewick
(under development)
Liliana Chethuan
Liliana Chethuan joined Forrest in 2009 as Director, Coaching & Facilitation and is a certified coach, trainer and speaker with more than 10 years' experience in the fields of leadership and self-development. She combines her academic knowledge with a pragmatic, engaging approach and is a much sought-after speaker at seminars, conferences and workshops where she deftly makes a significant difference in people’s professional and personal lives.
Licensed in both Effective Intelligence™ (EI) and Emotional Intelligence™, Liliana has utilized these skills while developing and implementing business-based solutions in multicultural environments, especially throughout Latin America, USA and Canada. In particular, Liliana has done extensive work in expanding the reach of EI on an international level. Her core competencies include executive coaching, effective selling and experiential learning for team collaboration.
Fluent in English, French and Spanish, Liliana has a dual MA in Bio-Medical Stress and Environmental Psychology from La Sorbonne in Paris, France. Liliana’s multilingual skills and multicultural exposure allow her to accurately translate and deliver programs in all three languages.
Michael Clark
Michael Clark is Forrest’s Director, Marketing Consulting. He has over 20 years experience in communicating to the market the value of products and services.
Working mostly freelance since 1988, Michael’s clients have included CIBC, HSBC, the University of Toronto, PricewaterhouseCoopers, as well as many non-profit organizations involved in literacy, numeracy and employment. For two years, Michael was the Creative Director of the Phnom Penh, Cambodia office of the global ad firm Bates Advertising. Michael is also an award-winning graphic designer.
Michael has worked with Forrest since 2005 providing creative services and graphic design. He also helped to define and clarify the firm’s branding position, graphic and editorial standards and operations systems.
Michael attended the Ontario College of Art and the University of Toronto from which he graduated with a BA in International Relations. Off hours, Michael is a nationally recognized reviewer of books on Canadian military history and foreign policy. He is a vacation diver and a weekend sailor on his very old, very brown sailboat.
Chris Corrigan
Chris Corrigan is Director, Coaching & Facilitation with Forrest & Company.
He is a proven and tested leader and teacher. Throughout his career, Chris has
been accountable for achieving results. His expertise in operations, resource
planning, change management, team building, negotiation and after-action reviews
provides a robust resource for many top executives.
Chris had a distinguished leadership career of 35 years in the Canadian Armed
Forces, leading soldiers on operations at home and abroad, including 10 years
in learning institutions. Before joining Forrest and Company he was the department
head and director of strategic studies at the Canadian Forces College. There,
he was responsible for the professional development of Canada’s most senior
military officers.
Chris coaches with a unique combination of proficiency in developing high-performing
leaders and his own leadership experience. His high-level military leadership
responsibilities have included orchestrating Ontario military forces during
the 1998 ice storm, commanding the Canadian contingent in Bosnia, coordinating
and implementing military involvement in Y2K contingency planning, and efficiently
managing a $450 million budget as commander of the Army in Ontario.
Chris holds an MA from King’s College, University of London, UK, and
a BA in Political Science from the University of Windsor.
Nanette M. Cuddy
Nanette Cuddy is Director, Coaching & Facilitation for Forrest & Company. She is a senior business leader with approximately 20 years of experience in the information technology and transportation sectors. Nanette has led sales, marketing and business operations in highly complex and demanding organizations.
Nanette’s expertise includes strategic and business planning, team building and leadership, sales, and large account management, all of which help her provide a comprehensive resource for senior level executives. She is a seasoned and effective results-oriented team player with excellent communication and relationship skills, and uses these abilities to successfully motivate and develop talent.
One of Nanette’s great passions is world travel, which has led her to trek the Himalayas, undertake African safaris and walk the Great Wall of China. She is a competitive golfer, and enjoys many other athletic endeavors in addition to being a busy mother of two.
Nanette holds BA degrees in Psychology and Kinesiology from Queen’s University.
Fiore Hawryluk
With over 25 years' experience in areas as diverse as public service, children's summer camps and software development, Fiore Hawryluk is a proficient administrative professional. At Forrest & Company, she provides comprehensive support to the President as his Executive Assistant.
For almost 20 years, Fiore worked as an office administrator for summer camps, in both provincial and national offices as well as at private organizations. Fiore juggled many balls, dealing with parents, campers, staff, vendors, government offices and the media.
Fiore has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Toronto and a Diploma in Office Technology from Control Data Institute. In her spare time, Fiore volunteers for an organization that provides settlement services to new Canadians.
Tim Elliott
Tim Elliott is Director, Coaching & Facilitation with Forrest & Company.
An ordained minister with the Anglican Church of Canada, Tim founded his own practice in 2002, offering professional services such as career counselling, vocational guidance programs, board facilitation, executive coaching, strategic and operational reviews and partnership development. Tim is an accomplished pianist and has performed his unique musical program, Jazz for Life: A Path to Balance, for conferences and congregations. He has released a solo piano CD, All the Things You Are, and is the author of Clarity and Courage: Life as an Improvised Journey.
He holds certifications with the Stillpoint Institute of Process Facilitation, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and Birkman Consulting. Tim has taught communications courses to General Motors executives, and for some time was in charge of the external communications for Imperial Oil Limited.
Tim is actively involved in the community, and has participated as a board member and as chair of various committees, including capital campaigns. He is a founding director of Hospice King in King City, Ontario.
In addition to his corporate, non-profit and community experience, Tim has worked in the journalism sector as a news editor, broadcast director, broadcaster, host and producer.
Marsali Federico Kearney
Marsali Federico Kearney joined Forrest & Company in early 2008 as the client coordinator. She is a welcoming point of contact for people calling or visiting the Forrest office. Her past administrative experience serves her well in this capacity.
Marsali holds an Honours BA with specialist certificate in Theatre and Drama Studies from the University of Toronto, and a diploma in Acting from Sheridan College. She also has a Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring from the Institute of Counselling in Glasgow, Scotland.
Marsali is a Captain with the Canadian Forces Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) with whom she has worked in a number of administrative and training capacities. She is currently the Deputy Commanding Officer of a local army cadet unit. In her spare time, Marsali also volunteers and mentors with the Toronto Military Family Resource Centre, an organization that provides support to the spouses and families of deployed soldiers.
Richard Gleasure
As Vice-President, Western Canada, Richard Gleasure is skilled at building and leading high performance interdisciplinary teams to outstanding business outcomes. He is well-versed in building performance-driven corporate cultures and has a strong background in integrating corporate and asset based acquisitions from conception through to successful integration into existing operations. Richard is also an insightful coach who believes passionately that a great coach can drive great performance.
With over 20 years’ experience in the oil, gas and chemical manufacturing industries, Richard brings to the table solid, in-depth knowledge of operations and new business development. After acquiring his graduate and post-graduate degrees, Richard enjoyed a flourishing career within the energy and chemical sector, holding a variety of progressively senior engineering positions in Western Canada with Texaco, Esso Resources and Esso Chemicals. He then moved into the demanding engineering and management sphere through roles of increasing responsibility at Canadian Hunter Exploration Ltd. and Burlington Resources Canada.
In 2004, Richard entered the challenging yet exciting world of small cap Canadian junior oil and gas companies through senior management roles at Resolute Energy Inc. and as COO of Cordero Energy Inc., with both companies positioned and sold through to successful corporate sale. His intimate knowledge of field/plant operations coupled with his diverse technical expertise and management skills have made him well-respected in this sector.
Richard holds BASc and MASc degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a registered Professional Engineer.
Irene Hogendoorn
Irene Hogendoorn is Director, Coaching & Facilitation with Forrest & Company. She is certified in products from McLuhan and Davies Communications and SkillPath.
In the training field, Irene has worked with sales staff to achieve the necessary skills to exceed revenue targets and meet objectives. Her management roles have included establishing new streams of revenue in the advertising department, internal and external team building and executive presentations. Irene also has over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, product development, promotions and training at the Toronto Star.
Irene developed and taught a part-time sales course at Ryerson University in the Radio and Television Arts Program, and a First Nations training program for the construction industry in Saskatchewan. She is a graduate of Ryerson and of the University of Toronto.
As an independent marketing consultant, Irene works extensively developing marketing collateral, marketing strategies and liaising with government and legal officials in the telecommunications field.
On a personal level, Irene is a master dragon boat paddler, and has represented Canada in numerous international venues, including the 2006 Club Crew World Championship in Toronto. She continues her involvement in the paddling world by coaching several teams. Irene is also a certified yoga instructor.
Sheila Best
Sheila Best has been with Forrest & Company since 2006. She has worn many hats, beginning by working as an assistant to the Vice-President of Finance and Administration; currently she holds the title of Senior Operations Coordinator. Sheila performs many internal office functions and is a dexterous arranger of workshops.
Sheila spent many years with Sears Canada Inc. in catalogue inventory control and catalogue marketing. She took a career hiatus to raise her three daughters, and was an active volunteer their school and for Girl Guides of Canada during this time. She also chaired a major fundraising event for Easter Seals. Upon her return to the workforce, she joined the Forrest team.
Sheila has a BSc in Microbiology and Mathematics from the University of Toronto.
Lawrence Hourihan
(under development)
Herb Koplowitz
Herb Koplowitz is Vice-President, Organizational Design for Forrest & Company. He has worked with Forrest since 1995.
Herb works with CEOs and senior executives to improve effectiveness, efficiency and trust through better performance management. He helps CEOs move their companies forward by developing the organizational structure, talent pool, management practices and systems they need. He has worked in the financial, confectionery, pharmaceutical, educational, food, automotive retail, high tech and utility sectors, as well as with the Canadian Armed Forces, on issues of structure, performance management and talent development. He has taught performance management to business leaders through York University and Vistage (formerly T.E.C., an organization that helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses).
Herb is trained in Requisite Organization and marketing research. He holds a BA in Mathematics and Philosophy from Cornell University, a PhD in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, and is a registered organizational psychologist in Ontario. He is president of his own consulting organization, Terra Firma Management Consulting.
Rebecca Lemaich
Rebecca Lemaich is Director, Coaching & Facilitation for Forrest & Company, with over 25 years of corporate human
resources experience from manager to vice president levels. Rebecca’s career
has involved leadership engagements in such large Canadian organizations as:
• H.J. Heinz Company
• Nestlé Canada Inc.
• Alliance Communications Corporations
• Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
• Worker’s Compensation Board
• Drake International Inc.
Rebecca is an effective coach and facilitator, experienced in leading teams to
serve global personnel, developing total compensation programs, instigating strategic
and targeted organizational design initiatives, developing and implementing corporate
HR strategies and building team effectiveness.
Rebecca has a BA from the University of Waterloo, and is
a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP).
Alan Levine
Alan Levine is an experienced and successful leader, organization developer and entrepreneur. His track record includes co-founding ICOM Communications Inc., and developing it into one of North America’s leading information and marketing companies. Before founding ICOM, he spent his early career at Procter & Gamble, and then worked as a senior manager in the telecommunications industry. Alan conceived and led a major fundraising campaign, exceeding its target by 100%, and managed an $8 million construction project on time and on budget. In addition, Alan was elected to an unprecedented second term as chairman of the board for Canada’s largest marketing trade association.
Alan is an expert in clarifying vision, mission, markets and strategy; coaching and mentoring individual leaders; and developing leadership teams to achieve a shared vision. He has a history of implementing disciplined planning, management and organization development approaches. Alan is experienced in sales, marketing, operations, HR, IT and finance, and has developed and implemented complex technical projects. He also has significant experience positioning organizations for investment or sale.
Alan’s achievements have been recognized in many ways, including:
Lifetime Achievement Award, Canadian Marketing Association, 2005
Best 50 Privately Managed Companies: Arthur Anderson, 1998, 1999 & 2000
Entrepreneur of the year: Ernst and Young, 1998
Alan is a graduate of the University of Toronto, with a BSc in Engineering.
Adrian Luces
Adrian Luces is a Vocal Impression
Coach for Forrest & Company. His approach helps executives build self-confidence
and self-esteem, and enhance their image and charisma through their voice and
performance skills. Sound is a very important part of the impression a person
makes. Adrian has a proven process, called the Seven P’s of Performance,
that helps guide executives toward their true voice, true sound and outstanding
performance, enabling them to reach their maximum potential. Whether you are speaking
in front of large groups of people or in a small boardroom, Adrian’s voice
and performance coaching maximizes the effectiveness of your message.
Adrian has a degree in vocal performance from the prestigious New England Conservatory
of Music in Boston, and studied jazz performance at the world-renowned Berklee
College of Music. He has performed around North America, at venues such as Boston’s
Symphony Hall, New York’s Avery Fisher Hall, and Toronto’s Massey
Hall and Winter Garden Theatre. Adrian has also appeared as a spokesperson for
several companies and organizations. He has been a freelance writer for the
Toronto Sun and a guest commentator on CFRB AM 1010 in Toronto.
Through Adrian’s work with Forrest & Company, our clients gain credibility,
trust and the ability to influence their communication, strategy and goals with
maximum impact.
Christine Macfarlane
Christine Macfarlane is Director, Coaching & Facilitation for Forrest & Company. She has over 20 years of corporate experience in human resources, with several progressive positions leading to corporate manager of human resources for Sears Canada Inc.
Christine has experience directly leading large teams on a national level, developing and implementing corporate HR strategies, managing large corporate reorganization and change initiatives and advising senior-level executives on organizational and leadership issues. In particular, she has managed all aspects of company-wide reorganization efforts, from due diligence to organizational design and structure. She has equipped leaders with change management education, and helped them transition large numbers of employees in a smooth and timely manner.
Christine has also worked in a variety of other areas, including retail, logistics, finance, IT and call centres. This broad experience contributes to her effectiveness as a coach and facilitator.
Christine is a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP).
Jim Montagnes
Jim Montagnes joined Forrest in the fall of 2008 as Director, Coaching & Facilitation, with a wealth of experience as an independent trainer, consultant and counsellor in the fields of social services and business.
Jim has worked extensively in the United States and Canada, as well as having done training in Ireland and New Zealand. Prior to pursuing his consulting career, he held senior management positions in the Ontario health system and with a Toronto-based social services organization.
Jim’s expertise lies in assisting people to focus on and achieve their goals by examining and implementing ways to change their present behaviours and direction. He has spent many years working one-on-one, guiding people in self-evaluation and the exploration of options. His varied experience with clients has given him a unique ability to relate to many different types of situations. One of his strongest assets is his skill at respectfully confronting the client’s problems and concerns in order to help successfully resolve them. He teaches a philosophy of internal control, and helps others to integrate this approach into their business and personal lives.
Jim has a BA in Psychology, is a senior faculty member of the William Glasser Institute in California, and is the author of the book Stop Spinning Your Wheels. He is also the author of the Needs Profile measurement tool. Jim sits on the board of the Emily Murphy Centre, a second-stage women’s shelter in Stratford, ON.
Tim Murphy
Tim Murphy, Forrest's Executive-in-Residence, brings over 25 years of advisory and executive leadership experience. He is an innovative strategist, accomplished business leader and senior executive advisor with an established track record of leading P&L and capital growth with industry leading companies. He has concurrently been accountable for as many as five business units. He has created, led or transformed corporate shared services in five publicly held companies. His transaction experience includes three international initial public offerings, acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, turnarounds, restructures, emerging market startups and asset transactions. He recently led the enterprise restructure of a multi-billion dollar Canadian retail icon.
Tim’s industry experience includes: advisory services (asset management, software development, leadership development, software application training, organization transformation); marketing and information services (transportation, advertising, media, ecommerce, loyalty marketing, database management, data analytics, utility customer service and billing, social media); financial services (credit cards, insurance, banking, financial transaction processing, investment rating); and, retail & consumer products (consumer packaged goods, big box retail, retail fuel distribution, real estate, travel, eRetail, specialty retail).
Tim has received Inbev’s Global President’s Award. His initiatives have received “Online Innovator of the Year” from Editor and Publisher Magazine, and “Online Retailer of the Year” from the Canadian Marketing Association.
Tim has his undergraduate degree in Business Administration & Political Science from Brock University. He has subsequently completed a number of post-graduate courses at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.
Jaki Scarcello
Jaki Scarcello has been with Forrest & Company Limited since 1998, working as Director, Coaching & Facilitation. She is a trusted advisor to executives, and has a proven track record in developing high-impact programs.
Jaki was part of the collaborative team that designed and implemented Canadian Tire Acceptance Ltd. (CTAL) University, one of Canada’s first corporate universities. She was instrumental in the design and development of a Forrest & Company core program, The Leadership Coach™, which helps organizations develop a coaching model, tools and process that align with business strategy and drive the achievement of stretch goals. Jaki’s 20+ year career has covered the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. As a result, she has a depth and scope of knowledge regarding the cultural impact of change, both organizationally and individually.
In 2006, as Jaki turned 55, she shifted much of her focus to a new project. She reflected on her career and observed that she had followed the working lives of baby boomers through the workplaces of their thirties, their midlife career changes and now it was time to turn her attention to their transition to post retirement activities. Her goal is to engage the boomers in the later stage of life as purposefully, energetically and fabulously as every other stage of their lives. Jaki is spreading the word through her book, Fifty and Fabulous: The Best Years of a Woman’s Life, published by Watkins.
Jaki has a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Western Ontario. She currently lives in Southern California and has clients across North America. Jaki has achieved her ICF (International Coach Federation) coaching certification.
Anita Shilton
Anita Shilton has more than 25 years’ experience in change leadership and organizational development roles in the private, public and non-for-profit sectors. She has held senior line, staff and advisory roles, and has been retained on long-term external consulting and coaching assignments with CEOs, Managing Partners and other senior leaders on the design and implementation of large-scale culture shifts, change and leadership development initiatives. These experiences, combined with her designations as an Adler Certified Executive Coach (ACPC) and a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation (ICF), make her uniquely qualified as Director, Coaching & Facilitation at Forrest & Company Limited.
In her most recent role as Dean of Continuing Education at Ryerson University, Anita launched a quality strategy and policy development process that was approved by the University Senate within one year of being hired. She spearheaded the development of innovative, inter-disciplinary academic programs to address market-oriented talent requirements. Another focus was her development of partnerships through the creation of a Financial Institutions Advisory Council that included most of Canada’s major banks and insurance companies.
Prior to her time at Ryerson, Anita played key roles with Mercer Delta (Senior Consultant), Manulife Financial (Vice President, Leadership and Organization Development), Canada Trust (Vice President, Executive Development) and the Government of Ontario.
Multilingual in five languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese), Anita holds a BSc from McGill University and an MA from the University of Toronto. She is certified in various psychometric assessment tools and professional development programs.
Melinda Sinclair
Melinda Sinclair, Director, Coaching
& Facilitation, has more than 20 years' experience working in knowledge-based
and learning-oriented environments. Her professional interests include the skills
required for high performance in these environments, expanded concepts of intelligence
and the role of coaching in personal and professional development.
Melinda brings extensive experience in conceptualization and model building, program
development and the preparation of instructional material for a variety of learning
formats to her work - whether as program designer, trainer, or coach. Melinda's
clients include executives, senior managers and self-employed professionals.
Melinda comes to coaching as a life-long learner. She enjoys working with high-potential
individuals, combining her intellectual acuity with intuition, imagination and
an ability to help people reframe their challenges and opportunities. An important
guiding principle for her work is to enable the client to continue developing
after coaching.
Since 1998, she has played a leadership role for Adler Professional Schools, Inc.
in Toronto, developing the only Canadian-based full certificate professional coaching
program. Currently, she acts as an instructor and mentor to course participants,
and is involved in the development of advanced coaching courses.
Melinda is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation.
Her formal training includes a degree in psychology, a doctorate in linguistics
and extensive training in a variety of approaches to coaching.
Anne Stephen
Anne Stephen, Vice-President, Organizational Design, specializes in organization effectiveness and leadership practices. Anne integrates strategic planning, change management, organization design and leadership development into her practice and is equally effective as an advisor, designer, facilitator and manager.
Anne has extensive experience in the design and implementation of large-scale organization-wide change projects that strategically re-think the business and reposition the organization for competitive advantage. She has played lead roles with Canadian Pacific Railway, Canadian Tire, Bank of Montreal and BMO Financial Group. Anne has also worked in a variety of sectors with major Canadian, US and international companies such as: Apple Computer, CIBA-Geigy, George Weston, Loblaw Companies, Aetna Insurance, Merrill Lynch HSBC and Royal Bank Financial Group.
Known for her innovative yet straightforward approach to bringing clarity and simplicity to complex organizational systems, Anne is passionate about liberating people to work at their highest level of productivity and performance.
Anne is a founding member of the Global Organization Design Society and a member of the Conference Advisory Committee for 2005 and 2007. Her research on performance management was published in a book titled, Re-Inventing HR – Changing Roles in the High Performance Organization. Anne is an honours graduate from McMaster University and has 26 years of experience working with senior leaders to improve organizational performance and implement strategic changes.
Bob Rusby
Bob Rusby has been Vice-President,
Design & Facilitation with Forrest & Company since 1991. He focuses on
helping managers at all levels sharpen their skills in leadership, coaching, communication
and team building. Bob has been instrumental in designing and delivering Forrest’s
core leadership programs, which have benefitted over 2000 executives.
Bob views leadership development as his life’s work. His expertise in
leadership practices is well-known, and he is sought out by many of Canada’s
top executives. He combines his passion with an awareness of management challenges
and an extensive background in 360° feedback to design and execute effective
learning experiences. Whether engaging in one-on-one coaching, workshops or
large group interventions, he approaches the entire learning process with creativity,
humour, and the understanding that comes from having been there.
Bob co-designed Forrest’s flagship program, The Leadership Path. Bob
is also the designer and lead facilitator of The Coaching Leader. Other recent
projects have included team-building initiatives for a multinational senior
leadership team, targeted leadership intervention to manage large-scale change,
and using Effective Intelligence to overcome team dysfunction and enhance group
communication.
Prior to joining Forrest & Company, Bob spent 22 years with a major Canadian
retail organization. As lead facilitator with the leadership development team,
Bob was responsible for curriculum strategy, design and delivery, as well as
the development and training of other facilitators.
