Who We Are
Our People
We hire only the best. Period.
All Refinery consultants have an advanced degree and many hold a PhD, not to mention the laundry list of impressive industry credentials that come after every name. But you'll find no lofty academic types here. Our studied consultants also have extensive experience working in the business environment, either as senior executives themselves or consulting at the most senior levels.
Meet the accomplished individuals who shape our values, our methods and our exceptional results.
Our Team
- Rosie Steeves, Principal
- Barbara Ross-Denroche, Principal
- Mark Frein, Consulting Practice Leader
- Greg Nichvalodoff, Consultant
- Laura Villacrusis-Weaver, Consultant
- Mike Bryde, Consultant
- Katie Wyka, Consultant
- David Gibbons, Consultant
- Tim McGrady, Consultant
- Valerie Sharpe, Office Manager/Marketing Lead
- Stephanie Enns, Operations/Marketing Assistant
- Chastity Davis, Project Manager
- Lisa Eckmyn, Consultant
Our Associates and Partners
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Our Team Rosie Steeves, PrincipalWith over 30 years of experience in the leadership development field, Rosie Steeves has spearheaded initiatives in countless organizations, from small corporations experiencing start-up challenges to Fortune 500 corporations pursuing aggressive growth strategies. Today she primarily works with the CEOs and senior executive teams of large corporations. A certified executive and leadership coach, Rosie has a PhD in Human and Organizational Development from the Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. She also holds a BA and MA in engineering from Cambridge University, England, where she graduated with first-class honours. When time permits, Rosie shares her extensive experience in leadership and organizational theory as a lecturer at Simon Fraser University and Royal Roads University.rosie@refineryleadership.com |
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Barbara Ross-Denroche, PrincipalFor over 20 years, Barbara Ross-Denroche has shaped leadership development best practices as a senior manager within organizations and as an organizational consultant. A certified coach who specializes in working with executives and managers, Barbara has been recognized with an Award of Distinction from the Human Resources Management Association of BC and an Award of Distinction from the Quality Council of British Columbia and LifeScan Canada, a Johnson & Johnson company. She has also taught leadership at Simon Fraser University and Royal Roads University, where she earned her own Masters in Leadership and Training. Barbara is past president of the BC Special Olympics and the BC Human Resources Management Association.barb@refineryleadership.com |
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Mark Frein, Consulting Practice LeaderWith a passion for designing performance improvement systems that have a profound effect on the way we think, act and work, Mark Frein has developed innovative management and leadership programs for a diverse set of organizations across multiple industries. Mark holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of British Columbia. During his studies, he received the prestigious Killam Predoctoral fellowship for research on imagination and learning. Before joining The Refinery, he spent seven years as a Senior Associate in the Learning Strategies Group at Simon Fraser University where he earned a reputation as one of Western Canada’s leading executive educators and learning designers. Today he continues at SFU as an Adjunct Professor in Business Administration, teaching organizational structure, change and learning, and researching organizational culture. Mark also speaks at professional associations on emerging trends in strategic human resource management, organizational learning and development, and learning design.mark@refineryleadership.com |
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Greg Nichvalodoff, Consultant |
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Laura Villacrusis-Weaver, ConsultantLaura has over 12 years of experience in organization development, change management and leadership development, with specific expertise in designing organizational and individual processes that facilitate multi-level leadership development. Before joining The Refinery, Laura was an organization development consultant for several top companies, including Intel, and a change management consultant for Andersen Consulting. Laura earned her Master's in Organization Development from Pepperdine University, California, and her Bachelor of Economics from the University of the Philippines. She is certified in facilitating development processes such as Human Dynamics and the Insights Discovery Profile, and has led programs developed by the Society for Organizational Learning, Price Pritchett and DDI.laura@refineryleadership.com |
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Mike Bryde, Consultant With experience in large organizations including Electronic Arts and the federal government, Mike is a young and growing leader who adds a fresh perspective to our team. Mike has completed his Simon Fraser University’s Bachelor of Business Administration program where he studied human resources. At SFU, Mike has been a business writing mentor and has taught effective business communications. He also helped start up the SFU Human Resources Students’ Association and educated his peers with career planning. After spending nine years training for trampoline competitions, Mike recently retired to focus on something else that gets him excited—developing effective organizations. |
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Katie Wyka, Consultant Katie brings over a decade of experience developing and implementing people practices for both start-up and established companies such as D-Wave Systems, Radical Entertainment, Creo Inc., MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates, BC Hydro and Ballard. Her primary focus has been on building HR infrastructure, performance management systems, training design and facilitation, attraction and retention initiatives, performance and career coaching, and HR project management. She has had the great fortune to work in an HR and organizational development capacity for projects in Canada, the US, and Hong Kong.She sees her role as helping organizations discover and cultivate the capabilities and culture that inspire exceptional performance. Katie holds a B.A. in Psychology from Simon Fraser University, a Human Resource Management Diploma from BCIT and a certificate in Training and Development from Boston University.She is an active member of the BC chapter of the Human Resource Managers’ Association and is the current Secretary for the Board of the BC Organizational Development Network. |
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David Gibbons , Consultant The Refinery’s David Gibbons has built and led corporate leadership development programs for an impressive list of Canadian businesses. Prior to joining us, David was executive director of the Learning Strategies Group at SFU Business with clients such as PMC-Sierra, BC Hydro, BC Transmission Corporation, Radical Entertainment, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, UBC Department of Pediatrics, Providence Healthcare, Alcan and Blast Radius. His teaching expertise spans several areas, including business process design and automation, financial analysis and planning, decision science, and strategic decision-making. A dedicated educator and student, David continues to teach at SFU’s Faculty of Business in the undergraduate and MBA programs, and is currently pursuing his own PhD in strategic decision-making. |
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Tim McGrady , Consultant For ten years, Tim McGrady’s leadership training classroom was some of the most remote parts of the planet, from the glacial fiords of Alaska to the Sierra Gigante mountains of Mexico to the offshore waters of the Pacific Ocean. Before joining The Refinery, Tim designed and facilitated outdoor leadership development programs in Canada, Mexico and the US, teaching participants how to lead their peers while negotiating the interpersonal and environmental challenges of self-supported wilderness expeditions. This unique leadership development work is complemented by more traditional corporate management experience in the tourism and high tech sectors. Tim has an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of British Columbia and an MA in leadership and training from Royal Roads University. |
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Lisa Eckmyn, ConsultantLisa Eckmyn's 17 years in organizational development include extensive experience with coaching, group facilitation, organization wide training, needs analysis and mediation. In 1990, Lisa founded Eckmyn Consulting. Serving the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, she has helped build healthy organizational cultures and mediated workplace conflicts for clients such as BC Hydro, SkyTrain, YWCA, Mountain Equipment Coop, BCAA, Matsqui Prison, and Family Services of Greater Vancouver. Lisa's education includes an MA in Applied Behavioural Science from the Leadership Institute of Seattle at Bastyr University and a Certificate in Coaching for Personal and Professional Mastery and Organizational Learning from the Newfield Network. She is a member of the International Coaching Federation, and currently serves as Chair of the Board of the New Learning Society (LifeSong School), an alternative elementary school.lisa@refineryleadership.com |
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Valerie Sharpe, Office Manager/Marketing LeadWith 20 years of experience in administrative roles across various industries, Valerie Sharpe has been instrumental in supporting The Refinery's swift growth over the past few years. Most recently, Valerie has taken on the crucial role of marketing lead. In this capacity, she will help the company deliver on its promise of exceptional client communications, initiate new trends in leadership development, and increase the company’s mindshare within the business community. |
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Stephanie Enns, Operations Assistant/Marketing Assistant Stephanie Enns joins The Refinery’s growing team in the newly created role of Operations/Marketing Assistant. While living in Taiwan and Australia for the past few years, Stephanie gained exceptional experience with government agencies and overseas organizations and has already proven herself an invaluable resource for our team. With a BA from Mount Allison University in Sociology/Anthropology and a continuing interest in human development, she is truly excited to be working in the leadership field and looks forward to the learning opportunities ahead. |
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Chastity Davis, Project ManagerChastity is an addition to the team who brings personality and commitment to the office. Chastity will be assisting the team with all the support elements that go with keeping the projects running smoothly and effectively. She has had eight years in the customer service industry and brings her leadership abilities to the position. She has a Marketing Management and Professional Skills diploma from BCIT, and is currently working towards her coaching certification at CTI (Coaches Training Institute). |
Our Associates and Partners |
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Scott Borland, Partner - CYGNUS Management Consultants Inc.With over 25 years of experience in management, human resources development and organizational effectiveness, Scott Borland adds immense depth to our team. Prior to his external consulting experience, Scott worked for a major corporation as an internal consultant specializing in human resources development and organizational effectiveness. Scott is a perceptive, energetic workshop leader who uses a variety of techniques designed for adult learners. Combining his academic knowledge with real-world experience, he has earned recognition as a truly effective and challenging facilitator. Active professional memberships include the Canadian Association of Management Consultants, Human Resources Management Association, Society for Human Resource Management, and Organizational Development Network. |