Facilitators

Tom Barker is a principal in Process Design Consultants, a Toronto firm committed to improving client results by bringing thinking to life. Over the past two decades, he has helped a wide variety of private and public sector organizations in North America and Europe change the way they conduct their business.

Tom earned a Ph.D. from Manchester University, is a senior member of the American Society for Quality, has published numerous articles and been a frequent conference speaker. He is the author of Leadership For Results: Removing Barriers to Success for People, Projects, and Processes . Published by ASQ, the American Society for Quality www.asq.org.

A Fundraising Consultant, and Non-profit Organization (NPO) Fundraising, Management & Governance Trainer, with 20 years experience in commercial advertising, marketing and public relations. He began his 30 years as a philanthropy professional by establishing the fundraising program for World Vision of Southern Africa, in 1978.  In 1990 he founded a Fundraising Consultancy in partnership with his wife Elizabeth.

One of five founders of the Southern African Institute of Fundraising (SAIF) in 1986, and President for the first five years, he has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 1991. 

Author of three books, and a series of twenty four booklets on Fundraising, he and his wife immigrated to Canada in 2001; held the position of Manager of Financial Development at the YMCA of Greater Toronto, and is now a NPO consultant and a Director of Development at Silent Voice Canada.

Peggy Grall is an Executive Coach, key-note speaker and former Psychotherapist with 19 years experience in the areas of Change Management and Conflict Resolution. Organizations experiencing mergers & acquisitions, culture transformations, and other intense change initiatives have utilized Peggy’s skills to help them navigate the high-risk, high-reward atmosphere of significant change. She works effectively with individuals and teams to assess and address the complex people issues affecting change outcomes. www.JustChangeIt.com  1-800-949-6698

Kate Jones, M.Ed., is a specialist in behaviour and author of Her Journey: Stories ofEntrepreneurs.  An award-winning, international trainer, coach, and speaker, Kate has successfully coached many individuals and organizations through a variety of stressful and motivational challenges.  With her wide experience and entertaining style, you are assured an enjoyable and practical learning experience with tools you can use professionally and personally. Contact Kate at 905-815-1456 or though her website at www.skills4people.com.  

Margaret Mercer, President, Creative Minds Communication Company, holds a B.A. in fine art, an M.B.A. in public relations and communication management, and has 23 years experience in communication, marketing, public and media relations. Margaret spent a decade with the Ontario provincial government, and as first head of communication for Oakville, spearheaded the Oakville “brand” and various other communication mediums. 

In addition to consulting, Margaret serves on numerous boards and teaches workshops on business communication topics.

Rosemary Miklitsch is Director of Professional Services at Vubiz Ltd., an e-learning service provider. Rosemary holds a M.A. in Cross-Cultural studies from New York University. She facilitates training on Strategic Planning, Project Management, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Change Management.

Rosemary has 25 years of experience in higher education; working with educational institutions, in 40 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Africa. She has worked at the University of St. Thomas, American International School of Lisbon-Portugal, Franklin College Switzerland, and New York University. Rosemary served on the Board of Books for Africa and the Catholic Worker House. She volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Lutheran Social Services Refugee Resettlement Program.  

Caroline Oliver helps boards achieve their goals using common, coherent and systematic approaches.  In addition to consulting in Canada, the United States and the U.K, she is a prolific writer on governance topics.  Her books include Corporate Boards That Create Value -Governing Company Performance from the Boardroom (2002) co-authored with John Carver and The Policy Governance Fieldbook -Practical Lessons, Tips and Tools from the Experiences of Real-World Boards (1999) of which she is General Editor.