Chrystie Benson
Chrystie Benson has over 15 years of experience as a Leader, Coach, Trainer and Manager. At the early age of 12, Chrystie took her first job scooping ice cream at a local Ice Cream Parlour in Campbellville, Ontario. By the age of 17, she was working for Suzy Shier's Clothing Store as their youngest Visual Coordinator, and was responsible for the South Western Ontario region.
After graduation, Chrystie worked for Kelsey's Bar & Grill in Milton, Ontario and then she transferred to the new Kelsey's opening in Victoria, BC. Within months she was promoted to being Western Canada's Front House Trainer. This valuable coaching experience gained through Kelsey's provided Chrystie the opportunity to work for Starbucks as one of their Opening Team members on Vancouver Island. The position required that she travel to various new locations and coordinate openings and provide training to new-hires and existing employees.
In 2003, Carnival Cruise Lines hired Chrystie as one of their Corporate Trainers. The responsibilities included: Facilitating all Orientation, Training and Personal & Professional Development programs for 1400 crew members from over 90 different nationalities. A few years later, during one of her orientation sessions, she met her future husband from Bulgaria.
Chrystie loves to travel the world and enjoys meeting people and seeking out new opportunities for professional development. Chrystie's desire to see the world led her to Sofia, Bulgaria with her husband where she secured a job with one of the largest property development companies in Bulgaria, and eventually became their Director of Sales. 3 years later, Chrystie and her husband moved back to Victoria,BC to be closer to family, and to pursue her passion for Coaching & Training others in the workforce.
Laurel D'Andrea
Laurel D'Andrea spent 22 years in the communications industry. During that time she was a leader when it came to implementing change and helping her fellow employees with team building strategies. She has also chaired and sat on several boards in the non profit sector. Laurel also shares her expertise in fundraising initiatives. Her main objective in the non profit sector and private sector: build strong effective teams, encourage people to get involved and engaged in their work. As an entrepreneur she now owns and publishes a local magazine in the Okanagan and spends time giving back to the community. Laurel conducts team building and essential skills workshops for the Pull Ahead BC program, as well as helping to market the program to Okanagan manufacturers.
Laurel is a proud Rotarian, loves to cycle, golf, workout and spend time with her two teenage boys.
Fraser Deacon
Over twenty years experience in a broad range of industrial, post-secondary and non-profit education and business development environments in north central BC and north west Alberta. Extensive experience developing links between industry, community partners and First Nation communities; possess excellent interpersonal, facilitation, entrepreneurial, presentation, and marketing abilities; and an Essential Skills coach for Pull Ahead BC.
Laureen Lloyd
Laureen Lloyd, CCDP, of C & T Solutions is currently working with PullAheadBC as an Essential Skills Trainer and Curriculum Developer. Trained in Essential Skills, Laureen has worked with private, and Federally and Provincially funded programs to manage, develop and deliver training. In addition, Laureen has developed and delivered Train the Trainer programs for over 10 years. Her personal experience owning and operating a manufacturing company has added value to her current work with PullAheadBC.
Shannon Jorgenson
Shannon Jorgenson is an Essential Skills Instructor and curriculum writer, with many years combined experience in curriculum development and teaching. A certified teacher, Shannon holds a B.A degree from Carleton University in Political Science, specializing in statistical analysis, and a Bachelor of Education degree with distinction from University of Alberta, with after-degree coursework in Mathematics and Science through Thompson Rivers University.
Shannon's career history includes teaching grades Kindergarten through Grade 7 in Alberta and British Columbia, with experience in program planning and course development, and a strong background in instructional strategies and pedagogy. Her adult education experience includes developing and teaching museum programs in history and science as Curator of Education for the Kelowna Museums, grant writing and program development for the Lake Country Museum & Archives as the Museum Manager, and workshops in science for area teachers. Prior to moving to Kelowna in 2000, Shannon managed a tutoring agency specializing in mathematics and study skills for students in Grades 8 through 12, overseeing a team of 19 part-time teachers and 200 students, and developed student course books and teacher workshops in assessment, mathematics, reading, and essential skills instruction. Shannon in the proprietor of a home-based business, The Portable Classroom 2006, developing and writing curriculum in science, history, and mathematics, with publications for NRCAN/Geoscape Canada, Science Opportunities for Kids, magazine and newspaper articles, brochures, and museum didactics and design.
With Shannon's skills as a curriculum writer and teacher, she designs and teaches creative and interactive workshops for Pull Ahead BC, with attention to individual learning styles, and educational needs.
Chris Smith
Chris Smith has over forty years experience in management and training since his first job, as a sailing instructor. He received his management training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and after graduation used his training and communication skills as resident stage manager at the Academy. He managed productions in repertory, festival, and touring companies before abandoning the Thespian life for an opportunity as a copywriter in advertising. Chris has sales and management experience in retail, industrial, and hospitality industries. As a manager, Chris trained numerous sales, administration and customer service staff. For the last twenty years, Chris has worked as an instructional designer and training consultant with clients in the USA and Canada. He holds a BC Provincial Instructors Diploma. His management and training experiences in a range of industries have provided him with an eye for the practical, which is reflected in the creative training solutions he brings to the course materials he develops and the workshops he delivers. He completed a business mentorship study for Community Futures in Abbotsford which led to the establishment of a small business mentoring programme. He has delivered Supervisory Skills training for the Contract Labour Relations Association, and has provided mentoring and training to numerous front-line staff who have subsequently taken on supervisory and management roles. He developed and delivered a "Business English" course for Classes taking a Microsoft Certified Office Worker class.
