Born and raised in the scenic city of St. John's, NL, my academic journey began at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts. My passion for understanding organizational dynamics and enhancing workplace culture led me to further my education in Human Resources Management at Niagara College in Ontario. This commitment to my profession was solidified when I achieved the designation of Chartered Professional in Human Resources.
As a current member of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia and Yukon, I am deeply engaged in the HR community, constantly expanding my knowledge and network. With over 25 years of leadership experience across various industries, I have honed my skills in nurturing organizational success through strategic human resource management. My career is a testament to my dedication to professional growth and my contribution to the field of human resources.
As the Principal Consultant and founder of Clareagh HR Business Partners, our mission is to offer tailored strategic guidance and HR support to small and medium-sized businesses who may not have a dedicated HR presence.
Central to my skill sets are areas such as crafting people strategies, fostering employee relations, nurturing leadership capabilities, overseeing performance management, and shaping policies. I partner with clients to foster a positive work environment, boost engagement and retention rates, and ensure compliance with employment laws. Additionally, I curate and lead customized training initiatives to enhance the skills and proficiency of their staff members and leaders.
Apart from my professional pursuits, my personal time is dedicated to family moments, exploring the enchanting landscapes of Vancouver Island, and unwinding through trail running.
Heather's diverse background in both the private and public sectors equips her with a wealth of experience and expertise. As the Director of Human Resources for the City of Mission , she is responsible for managing various HR functions.
Her responsibilities include overseeing organizational design, attraction and retention strategies, training and development programs, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, and handling employee and labour relations. This comprehensive scope of duties reflects her proficiency in navigating the complex landscape of HR management within a municipal setting.
Heather's previous experience with the Oppenheimer Group, a renowned North American organization in the fresh produce industry, provided her with valuable insights into the private sector dynamics, with a focus on employee development and training. Additionally, her tenure with the City of Vancouver and the South Fraser Health Region further enriched her understanding of public sector operations and HR practices.
Heather's passion for helping people shines through her career trajectory. She finds fulfillment in leveraging HR strategies to support individuals and organizations alike. Her dedication to making a positive impact underscores her commitment to fostering a conducive work environment and driving organizational success.
As founder and owner of Naviguide, Jay has had many careers. Jay has managed retail stores and movie theatres, worked with a circus, drove courier trucks, ran the commercial sales department for MEC (when it was growing 40% per year) and spent many years selling enterprise level IT systems and support services. Jay was also an elementary school teacher.
Jay found the world of insurance in 2002 following the diagnosis of his wife’s brain tumor when she was just 29 years old. As a family, they got to experience the emotional toll and the financial reality that illness brings. Entering the world of insurance professionally became an obvious next step to help others avoid those financial pitfalls and their associated emotional toll.
The experience with his wife’s illness motivates Jay to select the best processes and products to help his clients achieve a life as free of financial risk as possible. His business background enables him to find, understand and explain those products. As a result, Jay has become more like a consultant. He helps his clients best determine benefit-plan designs that work best to achieve their goals.
Dave Patriarche founded Mainstay Insurance Brokerage in 1996 as a one-person shop specializing in providing employee benefits to small and mid-sized businesses in the Greater Toronto Area.
Dave is a strong believer in continuing education and recognized the need for the group insurance industry to broaden its efforts in this area. In 2003 he started a small networking group, which evolved into regular breakfast meetings across the GTA, then into regular educational seminars beginning in 2009.
Dave is recognized as a leader in the group benefits industry, an accomplished speaker at industry events and a contributor to various industry publications. He mentors and acts as an informal resource to benefit brokers, participates in industry think tank groups as well as panels such as; the Benefits Advisors’ Drug Plan Outlook, the Canadian Leadership Council on Drug Plan Partnerships.
Dave spends his spare time with his family and also enjoys taking groups sailing on Lake Ontario, the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas and has even crossed the Atlantic ocean in 2019.
Joanne has over 30 years experience working as a Human Resources professional in manufacturing and financial services organizations. In her most recent role, she was the Vice President, Human Resources, for Apotex, Canada’s largest pharmaceutical company. Joanne held a variety of HR roles over her career including managing the health and benefits programs for over 6,000 employees. She has an Honours BA from the University of Western Ontario (now Western University), an HR Management Diploma from Seneca College and has completed a variety of professional development including in coaching, employment law, employee relations and as a Certified Compensation Professional. Joanne is a big believer in supporting and learning through volunteering. She is currently a Director with Hands Across the Nations charity, and prior to that was a Crisis Support Volunteer with Victim Services of York Region. She has recently retired and is a proud first time Grandma.