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Glen Drive Employment Assistance Services Office

Co-Managers

Jamie Schultz
Jamie graduated with a BA in Criminology from SFU in 2005. After spending several years in a customer service role while attending university, he entered the Career Development field in a research capacity with RDK shortly after completing his degree. Working in administration, the resource centre, and as a Career Consultant provided him with the opportunity to develop and refine his knowledge and skills to support clients in achieving their employment goals. With these experiences, Jamie looks forward to helping lead a strong team of employment service professionals assist the Tri-Cities community as a Co-Manager at RDK. Valuing life-long learning, Jamie recently completed a course on disability case management through BCIT.

Kristen Stuber
Kristen graduated with distinction from the University of Saskatchewan Bachelor of Education program. After teaching ESL and elementary education in schools in Coquitlam and South-West London, Kristen joined the RDK team in 2005, beginning in the resource centre. In 2006, she transitioned to being a Career Consultant and later became a Co-Manager, helping to lead the RDK team. Her background in teaching, as well as her retail and office experience, contributed well to Kristen’s work in the employment counselling industry. She has demonstrated her commitment to lifelong learning by taking courses and workshops related to career development and disability case management, including becoming a certified TOWES invigilator through an Essential Skills course. In addition to her work with RDK, Kristen is a member of the Tri-Cities Literacy Committee where she sits on the Essential Skills working group to find ways of increasing these vital skills in the community.

Career Consultants

Mette Drager
Mette has more than 10 years experience in the customer service sector, including hospitality, retail and more recently as a foreign language and ESL tutor. She holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Norway and a certificate from the Mandarin Training Centre in Taipei. After obtaining her Career Development Practitioner Certificate from SFU in 2009, she joined the RDK team as a Career Information Specialist and has since transitioned into her new role as a Career Consultant. Mette is very passionate about motivating and encouraging others to pursue their career goals and enjoys using her language and communication skills to assist clients.

Catherine Inkpen
Catherine is dedicated to assisting clients in attaining their job and career goals. With a BA in Counselling, she worked as a Career Consultant for the YWCA before joining the RDK team in 2009. Previously, Catherine has worked in a variety of settings, including education, family support, hospitality, administration and sales which allowed her to gain experience communicating with a range of diverse individuals. Through her experiences in all these sectors Catherine is able to help clients expand their career directions and streamline job search strategies.

Ingrid Jones
With over five years experience in the career counselling field as Job Club Facilitator, Career Decision Making Facilitator, and Life Skills and Personal and Professional Development Coach, Ingrid is excited about helping people achieve their goals toward meaningful sustainable employment. Ingrid draws from her personal experience with career change, transitioning from being a self employed music educator, and understands the value of developing an action plan, strong job search skills, and following through with positive action. Building on past skills and continuously training for new ones, Ingrid places life-long learning high on her values list. As a result, she was accepted into the Masters in Adult Education program at SFU and is working towards her long-term life/work goals.

Joan Nielsen (currently on leave)
Joan has demonstrated her passion in helping people through her 13 years of experience in counselling, social services and customer service. From her family and couples counselling practice, she expanded to assisting youth and people with disabilities. Joan obtained her Employment Counsellor diploma from Cornerstone and is certified in career exploration, job search and personality assessments. She has also facilitated job search workshops and assisted new immigrants in finding employment. Initially Joan worked on a temporary basis with RDK before joining the team full time.

Jeff Randhawa
Born and raised in Prince George, BC, Jeff Randhawa began his employment career at Save On Foods in 1994 while attending the College of New Caledonia part time. After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2002 from Simon Fraser University, Jeff worked and volunteered at various non-profit organizations in the Lower Mainland such as Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, Gordon Neighbourhood House and Progressive Intercultural Community Services. In addition to his degree, Jeff also attended Mission Community Skills Centre and the Justice Institute of British Columbia in 2003 earning certification in Conflict Resolution, Forensic Interview and Correctional Security. Since 2004 he has been teaching English to international students from South Korea at Elite Academy in Coquitlam, BC. Jeff joined RDK Career Services early in 2009 as a Career Information Specialist and is looking forward to assisting clients achieve their desired employment goals as a Career Consultant.

Liba Thomsen
Liba has over sixteen years of experience working in public service and administration settings, including seven years in coordinating and administering British Columbia Attorney General's contracted services. Her ongoing professional development reflects the strong commitment she maintains to provide client service. Liba's community involvement includes Volunteer Chief of Logistics for Emergency Services. In 2005, she completed a Career Practitioner's Certificate and is currently attending UCFV towards a BA in Adult Education. Liba brings many years of successful experience in working with clients at RDK to her role as Career Consultant.

Career Information Specialist

Jessica Rogers
Since joining RDK in 2008, Jessica has transitioned from office administration to her current role as Career Information Specialist. In the Resource Centre, she acts as a nexus connecting job seekers to vital employment search services. The strong research, writing and analytical skills she gained in her academic training in liberal arts studies at the University of the Fraser Valley enable her to guide clients as they journey toward meaningful and sustainable employment. Jessica has a proven track record in supporting work-seeking clients with the information and tools they need to succeed.

Administration

Leona Lake
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Leona brings over 20 years of administration experience to RDK Career Services. After attending college, Leona worked as a medical secretary for a psychiatrist in Newfoundland. Upon relocating to BC in 1996, Leona continued working as an office manager and purchaser in both the medical and engineering fields. With RDK, Leona enjoys being part of a team-oriented environment which works hard to ensure clients receive top quality service.

Austin Avenue Employment Assistance Services Office

Manager

Karoline deVries
After completing her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Victoria, Karoline worked in retail sales with Woodwards. When the company downsized, she joined Zeller's and worked in their Human Resources Department. In 1995, Karoline transitioned into the employment counselling field, working with the Alberni-Clayquot Employment Assistance Services Office. In 2001, she joined RDK's team as a Career Consultant and in 2006 became a Manager. Karoline’s commitment to lifelong learning is evidenced by her A.C.E.C Employment Counselling Model certification and her training as a Job Club Leader. Karoline also has certification with TOWES, an Essential Skills assessment, and with Blueprint, a career development model. As a community volunteer, Karoline is on the Board of Directors of SHARE Community Services.

Career Consultants

Ian Cameron
Ian completed his post secondary education through UBC with a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma in Educational Psychology and Counselling. He taught in the BC Public School system for over 14 years providing guidance and career assistance to students. Upon reflection of his working career he decided he really enjoyed career advising and transitioned into providing employment support to mature workers at UFCW where he was a facilitator and counsellor. During this time he completed his Career Development Practitioner Diploma and joined the Douglas College Training Group, Skills Connect program for new immigrants. Ian has always had a strong passion for the Career Development industry which is reflected in his role as a past board member with NETWERCC and ENET for 6 years. He is dedicated to assisting new Canadians adjust to their new culture and provided assistance in establishing the Internationally Trained Professionals Annual Conference where he was the Chairperson. Ian is active in attending various workshops and seminars as he is committed to life long learning and recognizes the value in consistently updating his skills.

Jill Gildersleve
Jill started working in an Alberta Government Career Centre in 1977 and, since moving back to British Columbia, has held a variety of positions including Job Club Facilitator, Self-Employment Program Advisor, TWS / Opportunities Fund Consultant, Project Manager, and Employment Consultant. In addition, she worked as a Teacher and Child Care Worker, teaching life skills/academic upgrading and arranging work experience for at-risk youth in an alternate school setting. Having always worked with persons with disabilities and chronic conditions, she was granted her Registered Rehabilitation Professional designation in 2000. Jill is also certified as a Job Club Facilitator and a SuperHost as well as Unified Employment Theory Trainer. In 2005, she joined the RDK team as a Career Consultant.

Paul Goodrick
Paul has contributed to RDK in several roles since joining the team in 2006. An Honours BA in Political Science from Simon Fraser University has given Paul the skills needed to assist clients in their labour market and educational research, as well as providing excellent support in employment communication. A proponent of continuous and self-directed learning, his use of new media tools to monitor employment trends and various industries allows for knowledge of a broad range of careers. Paul has a naturally collaborative, coaching approach developed through his years in the Resource Centre and experiences volunteering in the community. He looks forward to continuing to support clients in achieving their employment and career goals.

Stacey Hung (currently on leave)
After graduating from the SFU Business program, Stacey developed considerable experience in the areas of software development, financial services, and customer service. He completed the Career Development Practitioner Training program, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, in 2008 and recently joined the RDK team. Stacey is certified in Job Club Leadership and Personality Dimensions.

Tyler McAuley
Tyler recently joined the RDK team and brings with him over 8 years of knowledge and experience working with people. Tyler's formal education includes a Criminology Diploma, Conflict Resolution Certificate and courses in Systemic Family Therapy. Having worked for the VCHA, Tyler developed a unique ability to connect with people from all different backgrounds. His employment history includes Job Club Facilitation, Employment Counselling and Case Management. He grew up in the Lower Mainland and played soccer at the Provincial and National level which assisted him in developing an acute awareness that the essence of a team is: Together Everybody Achieves More. His strongest attributes are the ability to encourage and motivate people to achieve their goals. Tyler believes that anything in life can be achieved through effort and a positive attitude and his personal philosophy is that your life will not be measured by what you achieve, but what you overcome.

Wendy Waite
Wendy completed her Bachelors Degrees in Arts and Law at the University of British Columbia and within a year of completing her education, transitioned her career into a leadership role managing staff and operations. This experience broadened her thinking about careers and within five years, Wendy transitioned into the human resources field where she developed expertise in helping people with career and workplace issues. After building experience coaching and counseling individuals and facilitating groups, Wendy entered the career development field in 2004, joining Landell and Associates as a Job Club Facilitator. In 2005, Wendy joined RDK Career Services as a Career Consultant. Wendy is certified in Job Club Leadership, True Colors®, and Managing Transitions.

Career Information Specialist

Tanya Joostema
Tanya brings to RDK Career Services 20 years of experience in customer service and administration. She is currently attending Langara College, where she has completed an Associates Degree in First Nations Studies and is presently working on a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. Tanya joined the RDK team in 2008 and looks forward to providing dedicated superior service to all of RDK's associates and clientele as a Career Information Specialist.

Laura Spence
Laura is a recent graduate of Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in English & Psychology. She has 5 years of administrative experience within a wide range of settings: residential real estate, municipal tax and finance, and community-based non-profit. Laura's interest in a career involving helping others led her to an SFU-affiliated community program, which focused on tutoring and building literacy among new immigrant and refugee children. With that experience, she knew a career in community services would be her calling. In her role as RDK's Career Information Specialist, Laura encourages, motivates, and supports clients in realizing their employment goals.

Administration

Carrie Nicol
With twenty years of solid experience in customer service and administrative work in local chiropractic, naturopathic and wellness offices, Carrie values proficient administrative support and exceptional client service. Carrie aspires to maintaining exceptional client service in the career development field. Carrie joined the RDK Team in September 2007.

Denise Parker
Denise brings 18 years of experience in customer service and administration to our team at Austin. Her extensive and varied experience in the telecommunications industry includes ensuring customer service quality, maintaining accuracy of records, and facilitation of projects. Denise has continually kept up with the newest computer software by taking courses.