Who we are

Dr. Amundson is a Full Professor in Counselling Psychology / Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia, Canada.  He has given numerous workshops and seminars and also has been a keynote speaker at many national and international conferences. In his writings, Dr. Amundson emphasizes the importance of creativity, imagination, cultural awareness, positive affirmation, and action as career development strategies. In his work he utilizes hope-filled metaphors, stories, and a series of active engagement strategies. His publications include over 100 journal articles; training DVDs; eight books, and several career workbooks (much of this material has been translated into different languages). Dr. Amundson has been widely recognized by many professional associations and has also been awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Umea, in Sweden.

Suzanne Klinga has been a career development practitioner for more than 30 years. She is a master trainer with expertise in research, program design and essential skills profiling. She has developed and delivered training programs for Indigenous Career Development Practitioners thorough out Canada.

Dr. Roberta Borgen, President of Life Strategies Ltd, is co-developer of the Career Engagement model and is a keynote speaker, counsellor, coach, consultant, educator, facilitator, and author. Recipient of awards for career development leadership, include the Stu Conger Gold Medal and Diamond Pin and the Etta St. John Wileman award, Roberta’s travel to 75+ countries has inspired her work in international/global careers, work-life sustainability, and workplace diversity.

Dr. Dave Redekopp, President of the Life-Role Development Group Ltd. and recipient of provincial and national awards in career development, has been generating better career development and workplace concepts and practices for over 35 years. His work has included developing career development training programs and courses; teaching career development practitioners; conducting research in career development practice and labour market conditions; consulting to organizations; developing programs, and products/resources for practitioners and end-users; and speaking/presenting to various audiences.

Tina Sirois-LeBlanc works as a counsellor and a career development consultant in a range of settings: post-secondary institutions, governments and independently in her own practice. Tina also trains Career Development Practitioners throughout Canada in CCDF’s competency-based certified CDP program. She promotes the value and recognition of the field of career development through her leadership work on the New Brunswick Career Development Action Group, and the Association francophone des conseillers et conseillères en orientation du Nouveau-Brunswick.

Tom has worked as a consultant in the public and not-for-profit sectors for over 20 years. He has also held senior level positions in the Ontario government (Premier’s Office, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Housing), has worked on numerous international development projects in close to 20 different countries, and has taught public policy, program evaluation, international development and community economic development courses at York and Ryerson universities. Tom is often called upon to provide labour market-based presentations to policy-making bodies and to present or keynote at conferences here in Canada and around the world on labour market issues.

As an independent consultant, Kelly works with organizations in the social sector to use research and evidence to improve policies and programs and achieve better outcomes for individuals and communities. She has particular expertise in innovative and evidence-informed approaches to career development and skills training. Kelly gets most excited about projects that involve making sense of complex issues and and pulling together different insights and perspectives to design creative solutions that work.

José F. Domene, PhD., R.Psych., is a Professor in the counselling psychology specialization area within the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. He has over 20 years of experience conducting research on the relational-social contexts of career development, technology and wellbeing, and professional issues in counselling in Canada. His areas of teaching include career development, counselling practicum, and research & evaluation methods. He is also a registered psychologist in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, whose clinical work focuses on the intersection of mental health and career life concerns.

Trina is a member of the Anishinaabe community of Mattagami First Nation. She is an adult educator and Indigenous community engagement specialist that enjoys helping people and ideas connect to raise the consciousness of what is possible when we can come together and hold space for the inclusion of Indigenous voices and knowledge to build better tomorrows for our spaces of work, learning and living. Since the late 1990s she has been helping industries and Indigenous groups connect to create opportunities and pathways for Indigenous peoples to enjoy meaningful careers in Canadian workplaces. As President of Bridging Concepts, she supports a wide range of corporate and non-profit sector clients on their Indigenous awareness and reconciliation journeys through leadership conversations, customized training, needs assessments, strategy development and coaching. In addition to using her creative spirit to develop motivating personal and professional development courses, she is a Master Trainer of the Guiding Circles approach and supports the CCDF in delivery of the In Motion & Momentum and New Era programs.

She is an advisor for the Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association, Council Committee member for the Career Development Practitioner Centre, a member of the Content and Learning Committee for CERIC and participates in additional committees. She is an accomplished keynote speaker and storyteller, emcee, and authors. She is the recipient of the 2024 Etta St. John Wileman Award. In her downtime Trina likes exploring little towns, reading to discover new ‘aha’ ideas, and spending time by the water.

Seanna Quressette has over 40 years of experience in the career development sector, over 10 years of experience and training in Trauma Therapy, and as someone who lives with cPTSD, Seanna brings a unique perspective to working with people in the sector.

Seanna has trained career development professionals for over 20 years and has managed government contract and participated in front-line service delivery throughout her career.  Seanna has also spent the last 25 years working with, training and mentoring Indigenous Career Development professionals.  Seanna had a thriving private career counselling practice for over 20 years.

Most recently Seanna was the president of the BC Career Development Association and currently coordinates Continuing Education for Douglas College, a leading provider of career development training. Seanna has had a long commitment to National Certification and currently sits on the National Certification Advisory Committee.

Andrea Fruhling (PCC) is the founding director of Doubleknot Works and co-author of Career Wayfinder: Discovering Your Career Through Delightfully Practical Projects (Fruhling & Amundson, 2024). An ICF Certified Organizational Coach, Andrea is a Mentor Coach and Instructor for the University of British Columbia (UBC)’s Organizational Coaching certification program, as well as the developer and lead instructor of the Career Coaching Masterclass (UBC).

Andrea holds the unique distinction of being the only certified expert trainer for the Hope-Action Theory in the world and is the developer of the widely attended Certification in Hope-Action Theory course. She has certified hundreds of career practitioners worldwide in partnership with Dr. Norm Amundson and Dr. Spencer Niles. As a leader of the International Coaching Federation’s Career Coaching Community of Practice, Andrea continues to support career coaches globally. She is also a certified facilitator of the LEGO® Serious Play® Methodology, which she integrates into her work to enrich learning through metaphor and play.

In addition to her coaching and mentoring, Andrea designs tailored workshops and training programs for career practitioners, leaders, and organizations, helping them discover more effective ways of working and leading career conversations. She has delivered numerous keynotes and workshops at national and international conferences, supporting diverse clients and client groups. Her work is practical, engaging, and driven by creativity, strengths-based learning, team engagement, and a strong sense of hope.

Rod Palmer is proud to join the team of Associates at CCDF, and to be considered a contributing member to a rapidly evolving profession, whose value to society grows exponentially. Having developed a strong penchant for facilitating while administering the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers program, Rod moved on to become a Master Trainer for the Nationally acclaimed program, In Motion and Momentum+, delivering training from coast to coast. He is currently delivering IMM+ training, while contributing to the team of Career Development Practice, Building a New Era Trainers, certifying Indigenous Career Development Practitioners in all parts of Canada. Rod brings all his coaching experience to the front line, his comfort zone.

Elayne is dedicated to Community Education, Creative Arts Practice, and Career Development. She is a certified Career Development Practitioner (NBCDA) and Partnership Broker. Elayne holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and a Master’s of Science in Community Learning and Development from the University of Dundee, UK.

Elayne has a knack for creative program design, building collaborative networks, visual communications, and community-based research. She enjoys helping individuals and organizations connect and collaborate across various sectors. Elayne has been fortunate to contribute to several CCDF research projects, including “Evidence for Community Employment Services: A Collaborative Regional Approach,” “Helping Canadians Navigate Learning and Work (National Standards, Certification),” and “In Motion and Momentum +.” She also facilitates the “Building a New Era” training program.

Ilana Zinyk is a leadership development consultant based in Edmonton, AB.

Connection and authenticity are at the forefront of Ilana’s work. She draws knowledge from a decade of formal leadership experience, her Master of Arts Degree (2013) in Leadership, and her ongoing role as a coach, mentor, and facilitator for leaders in both the private and public sectors. Ilana works with multiple post-secondary institutions in Alberta as a contracted subject matter expert on leadership, has spoken in front of international audiences, and finds fulfillment in sharing her expertise and passion with others. Ilana’s relational style and easy-going approach set her apart as a consultant who consistently puts people first.

Rob Despins graduated from the University of Manitoba, holds a Bachelor of Education degree, and a Certified Human Resource Practitioner Designation (CHRP). He was granted the Human Resource Practitioner of the Year Award from the Canadian Human Resource Management Association in 1992. Rob has 10 years of experience as an educator in public education and 30 years of experience in various roles in the aerospace industry. He is currently a Program Manager with StandardAero Ltd, based in Winnipeg Canada.

Barbara MacCallum is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She has over 40 years of experience in administration, business development, computer software development, and career development. She is also the Past President of the Canadian Career Development Foundation.

Beverlie is the Associate Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Initiatives at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology. She has close to 30 years’ experience in business, career and workforce development, and strategic human resource planning and development. Her experience includes working in the private and the non-profit sector designing, developing and implementing programs and strategies for developing Manitoba’s workforce. She has served on numerous regional, provincial and national committees, boards and councils.