OUR CORE PRACTICES
THIS IS US
SUSTAINABILITY
We believe sustainability is the balancing of purpose and profit to create a long-term impact.
ACCESSIBILITY
Entrepreneurship and leadership is a privilege that should be extended to as many people as possible.
IMPACT
We want to leave our community and world better than we found it and help you do the same.
VALUES
We live, every day, our values to truth, transparency, integrity and self-determination.
ACCESSIBLE & INCLUSIVE SUPPORT
A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL
We uphold the belief that entrepreneurship and leadership are privileges to be made widely accessible. To that end, we extend additional support to individuals who are marginalized or underrepresented, including but not limited to those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, to nurture diverse and inclusive leadership.
SOCIAL PROCUREMENT
A Merry Band of Seasoned Professionals
meet the team
FOUNDER,
THE POSITIVIST GROUP
Erin Patchell, ACC
Erin Patchell is an experienced business strategist, community builder, speaker, founder of business consultancy Positivist Group, and creator of the podcast Weirdos in the Workplace. With diverse leadership experience spanning strategic human resources, public relations, operations and business development, Erin builds ecosystems that embed trust and authenticity as foundational principles.
Communications &
Business Development
Sarah Allison, BA
Sarah serves with passion and an infectious enthusiasm that turns every challenge into an opportunity.
She is a member of the Accessibility Committee for the Town of Carleton Place, advocating tirelessly for diversity and inclusion. With an uncanny ability to connect with people, she is a community builder at heart and creates spaces where everyone belongs.
Sarah is the co-founder of the Trained to Help Project (trainedtohelp.com) that aims to develop more inclusive brick and mortar businesses for people with disabilities.
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.
Leadership Coach
Eleonore Eaves, PCC
Eleonore has over 15 years of supporting private sector, public sector and nonprofit organizations and their leaders to drive social impact and reach their professional and organizational goals. Clients include the London School of Economics, King’s College London, and the Government of Canada.
Eleonore is a certified executive coach and serves individuals, teams and organizations to overcome professional hurdles and navigate complexity.
Connect with Eleonore on LinkedIn.
certified executive coach & organizational development
Alex Salamis, ACC
Alex is a certified Integral coach known for supporting leaders, teams, and organizations to expand their skills and perspectives to implement transformation. With over 20 years of international professional experience, Alex has immersed herself in specialized coaching areas like organizational systems, conversational intelligence, self-managing teams and positive psychology.
Her innate ability to connect and advise in fields such as education, healthcare, finance, and more has solidified her reputation as a strategic partner.
Senior executive mentor-coach, dei & hr leader
rose kattackal
Rose is a seasoned executive coach and leader, specializing in driving innovative solutions and cultural change in agile, purpose-driven organizations.
With over 20 years of experience, she excels in strategy planning, DEI program development, leadership development, and facilitating meaningful relationships.
Rose is committed to empowering clients in the public, private, and non-profit sectors to become effective, inclusive leaders.
Connect with Rose on LinkedIn.
Business management consultant & leadership coach
Julie Lavergne
Julie leverages her creative generalist super-powers with a focus on co-creation, to coach leaders and facilitate teams to find solutions despite the background noise and clutter of business complexities. Her goal? To help people take action towards better (and faster) decisions to solve their unique problems of today– and tomorrow.
An engineer turned people executive, she considers herself a business decathlete with a background in rapid manufacturing scaling, enterprise risk, global quality supply chain, digital transformations, new product launches, business strategy, organization development and talent management.
Connect with Julie on LinkedIn.
Leadership Coach
Garen Jemian, PCC
Garen is a PCC certified coach and highly experienced facilitator, founder of Inspireship, a leadership coaching and training firm, and author of Happy People Work Harder. As a facilitator and coach, he is a favourite in both Government and Private Sectors.
Garen leverages and couples his background in business operations, stage performance and coaching mastery to bring the absolute best out of his clients. His style is best described as a highly pragmatic approach engulfed with energy, clarity and fearless objective feedback ensuring a highly engaging and impactful time well spent.
Connect with Garen on LinkedIn.
Leadership Coach
Kim Tofin
Kim is a trusted advisor, certified team development coach from the Team Coaching Studio in London UK, and certified executive leadership coach from Doug Silsbee’s Presence Based Leadership Coaching School in Ashville, North Carolina. He has worked in hi-tech sales, marketing, and business development for over thirty years, gaining invaluable experience working with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and everything in between.
Kim partners with teams at any level, to drive impact and high performance, results, personal growth, and organizational change.
Professional Certified Executive
Leadership Coach
Sandra Bobkin, MED, BScN, RN, ACPC, MCC
Sandra is a PCC certified coach who has immersed herself in specialized coaching areas like organizational systems, conversational intelligence, and positive psychology. Her adept guidance empowers clients on transformative journeys of growth and empowerment.
With a wealth of experience spanning coaching, leadership, emotional intelligence, and career transition, Sandra partners with executives, emerging leaders, and professionals across diverse sectors. Notably, Sandra’s excellence in coaching earned her the prestigious International Coaching Federation PRISM AWARD.
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn.
Certified Professional Team
& Leadership Coach
Lama Youness, PCC
Lama is an ICF PCC certified coach and experienced facilitator who combines her 14 years of international corporate HR experience along with deep coaching expertise to accelerate her clients’ professional development.
Lama brings in powerful coaching questions and tools like Everything DiSC and Hogan to help professionals and teams achieve clarity and optimized performance. Lama is known for making authentic and lasting connections with employees and leaders by focusing on their development and well-being.
Connect with Lama on LinkedIn.
Senior Advisor,
Business Grants & RFP Writing
Michelle Muir, MA
A highly dedicated and bilingual professional, Michelle specializes in writing and designing complex requests for funding (grant applications), and responses to Requests for Proposals.
She is uniquely aware of the time-sensitive and highly competitive nature of responding to funding opportunities and works quickly and closely with clients to identify key funder priorities and develop winning applications.
Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
& COMMUNICATIONS
Salwen Kayembe
Salwen Kayembe is a fourth year student at the University of Ottawa pursuing a degree in communications. With experience in creating and promoting communication plans, designing engaging newsletters, and running campaigns through social media, Salwen has experience working with a wide range of organizations such as CFIA, City Hall, Pinecrest Queensway and the Liberal Party of Canada
We welcome Salwen to Positivist Group where she is focusing on honing her skills in communication and public relations.
Connect with Salwen on LinkedIn.
Certified Change Management
Professional & Coach
Janet Mrenica, ACC
Janet is an award-winning oversight professional dedicated to fostering inclusive, supportive spaces through coaching and facilitation. With more than 30 years of public sector and non-profit experience, she integrates well-being, intersectionality, and indigenous wisdom into her practice. Her compassionate approach helps individuals and organizations navigate change with confidence. Janet’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion inspires meaningful progress and builds resilience in those she works with.
Certified Professional
Consultant & Coach
Tina Collins, BA, PCC
Tina is a trusted coach and consultant with over 20 years of experience helping leaders and teams realize their potential. She is recognized for creating environments that encourage openness, innovation, and effective communication. Tina’s practical approach has supported organizations across government, private, and non-profit sectors. Her ability to guide clients toward clarity and focus ensures impactful results and lasting improvements.
Certified Professional Team
& Leadership Coach
Amanda Daley, ACC
Amanda is a leadership coach who works with executives and emerging leaders to build confidence and navigate challenges effectively. Drawing from her corporate background, she brings deep insight into organizational dynamics and leadership strategies. Amanda’s coaching focuses on building trust and resilience, helping clients align their strengths with their objectives. She supports leaders in creating thriving teams and achieving long-term success.
Certified Professional Team
& Leadership Coach
Andrew Magnan, BA, ACC
Andrew is a leadership coach and consultant who specializes in emotional intelligence, reconciliation, and organizational transformation. His work has supported leaders and teams across industries, including within Indigenous organizations. Andrew builds trust and fosters collaboration, helping clients address challenges and create meaningful outcomes. His expertise in leadership development and relationship-building makes him a valued partner in driving success.
Professional Technology & automation Consultant
Alexander Brown
Alexander is a technology consultant specializing in systems integration, learning systems, and process improvement. With over a decade of experience, he helps organizations streamline operations and achieve measurable results. Drawing from his work with non-profits, government agencies, and private enterprises, Alexander focuses on enhancing efficiency through tailored automation and data-driven insights. His expertise in accessibility and client enablement ensures inclusive, impactful outcomes for every project.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”
– Mother Teresa
OUR CAPABILITIES
what we do
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