The SE Team
The people who contribute to the success of the Douglas College Self Employment Program:
Laura Aveledo - Business Advisor
Tannya Cranna - Program Assistant
Graham Hill - Program Manager
Wayne Indseth - Business Advisor
Michelle Jickling - Business Advisor (Greater Vancouver Program)
Susan Kenny - Program Coordinator (Greater Vancouver Program)
Ray Peterson - Business Advisor
Julie Rhodes - Program Assistant (Greater Vancouver Program)
Chris Ricard - Business Advisor
Shirley Shannon - Business Advisor
Mari-Lou Shoulak - Marketing Manager
Rita Sieber - Program Assistant
Alex Sim - Program Coordinator
Priya Singh - Business Advisor (Greater Vancouver Program)
Diane Thompson - Program Assistant
Laura Aveledo - Business Advisor
As a management and marketing professional, Laura has worked for a broad range of business from international corporations, not-for-profits and entrepreneurs; she has also developed and grown her own business. Laura has advised entrepreneurs from varied industry backgrounds and also teaches Marketing and Management. In her spare time, Laura serves on several boards and enjoys painting and singing.
Tannya Cranna - Program Assistant
Tannya has over 18 years working experience in administration in both business and education sectors. She has worked with a number of programs within the Training Group and excelled in "Customer Service" throughout her career. Prior to joining Douglas College she worked in the real estate field for nine years.
Graham Hill - Program Manager
Graham has been involved in the business community and in government for more than 30 years. He has been a business consultant for much of that time in both the private and non-profit areas. He is an entrepreneur who has owned several businesses and has developed an expertise in the areas of business start-ups, turnarounds and expansion. His particular focus is on the Asia Pacific Region and Latin America.
Wayne Indseth - Business Advisor
Wayne has been an entrepreneur for 20+ years, owning and operating businesses in sectors that include recreation/tourism, industrial equipment supply, and small business consulting. He has advised, and delivered workshops to, aspiring entrepreneurs in BC and abroad for the last 9 years. He currently focuses his business development activities with projects in Africa and SE Asia.
Michelle Jickling - Business Advisor (Greater Vancouver Program)
Michelle is the founder of Hummingbird Translations Ltd., a multi-lingual communications company serving businesses in Canada since 2004. An entrepreneurial enthusiast, she believes in the benefits of self-sufficiency for both individuals and their communities. Michelle considers it an honour to witness the beginning of new businesses in the SE program and is humbled by the personal growth of the program participants. She also sits on the Board of Directors of Dress for Success Vancouver, is a member of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and a judge for the CanWest Spelling Bee.
Susan Kenny - Program Coordinator (Greater Vancouver Program)
An entrepreneur from an early age, Sue has started and run over 6 businesses throughout Canada ranging from manufacturing textiles to handcrafted kayaks. Her passion is to encourage and motivate entrepreneurs of all ages. Sue offers workshops and seminars throughout the Lower Mainland on topics such as Guerilla Marketing for Small Business, Cash Value of a No and How to Handle Rejection.
Ray Peterson - Business Advisor
Ray has over 30 years experience in business management. This experience includes sales and marketing, logistics, human resources and finance with national and international companies. He is a graduate of the SE Program and the Provincial Instructor Program. He has taught courses on International Trade, Canadian Management Institute subjects and as a facilitator for the Motor Dealer Council licensing program. Ray is an active networker and community volunteer.
Julie Rhodes - Program Assistant (Greater Vancouver Program)
Julie comes from a background of purchasing and customer service in the construction and manufacturing industry. She is glad to be a team member of the Self Employment Program. She is always amazed at the ideas and the hard work that both the team members and the participants put into this program.
Chris Ricard - Business Advisor
An entrepreneur since 1994, Chris has gained a broad range of skills as owner of several businesses. These experiences help him provide insight, direction and motivation to new entrepreneurs. He splits his time as a partner in M7Action, designing equipment for outdoor enthusiasts; as owner of The Web Factory, providing Web site hosting and design services; and as a Business Advisor and Teacher with various self employment programs. Chris is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys snowboarding, hiking, surfing and mountaineering.
Shirley Shannon - Business Advisor
A self-declared serial entrepreneur, Shirley Shannon has been instrumental in the founding, operations and sale of several businesses including software publishing, an Oriental arts and gifts retail store, and import/distribution/wholesale/retail of pianos and accessories. She has over 30 years of experience in operating small businesses which provided her skills in sales, marketing, e-commerce, logistics and finance. As a Certified General Accountant, she has taught courses on Accounting and is also a Quickbooks and Simply Accounting advisor. Her hobbies include piano, sailing, karaoke and ballroom dancing.
Mari-Lou Shoulak - Marketing Manager
Mari-Lou has been a marketing director or media consultant for large corporations for over 23 years. She has sat on both sides of the Douglas College classroom, as both a marketing instructor in the Marketing Department and as a graduate of the SE program. She is Principal of In House Media & Marketing, a firm she founded that provides full service marketing and advertising to its clients. Her favourite client is, of course, the Douglas College Self Employment program, where she gets to promote and encourage people to realize their dreams and "start working for themselves"!
Rita Sieber - Program Assistant
Rita comes to Douglas College with a background working in various educational institutions from primary to university levels. She graduated with a business diploma in 1987 and was employed with UBC, SFU and School District 43 before joining the Self-Employment Program in 1996. Her type A personality and excellent organizational skills contribute significantly to the successful implementation of this program and interaction with our students.
Alex Sim - Program Coordinator
A Self Employment Program graduate, Alex has over 25 years of sales and marketing management experience. He has successfully instructed thousands of people in the art of professional sales and has provided executive leadership and direction in a variety of large and small businesses. Alex owns his own sales training and consulting business.
Priya Singh - Business Advisor (Greater Vancouver Program)
Priya Singh has been passionate about working with entrepreneurs since she was 12. She has set up a variety of different businesses, ranging from mobile sound and lighting services, videography, photography, to childcare. She has been working as a facilitator internationally and locally for over 10 years in post-secondary institutions as well as in multi-national corporate settings. Her love for volunteering and working within the community has built her resource base to connect entrepreneurs with the right contacts.
Diane Thompson - Program Assistant
Diane's background is in customer service and operations management. She was previously employed by TELUS for 17 years in a number of customer facing and management positions. Diane is delighted to be a member of the Self Employment Program and is constantly inspired by the program participants as she sees them realize their self-employment dreams.