Valerie Phelps is a career transition and leadership development executive with
over three decades
of
experience in Canada. Known for her personalized approach, she advises a range
of clients, from
technical professionals to C-suite executives, often during organizational
changes like downsizing
or
mergers. She holds the CHRL, CPC, and CMP designations, signifying her expertise
in human
resources
and career management. Additionally, Valerie is a member of the International
Association of
Career
Professionals (IACMP), a select group dedicated to career services. This
membership underscores
her
commitment to ethical standards and recognized industry competencies.
Heather Phelps is the Managing Partner of Phelps Executive Search and Leadership
Development,
overseeing human capital initiatives nationwide. With a focus on strategic
recruitment and
leadership development, she works closely with clients to align their goals and
objectives.
Heather's rigorous process and successful strategies make her a trusted advisor
to C-Suite
executives and senior leaders. She emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and
confidentiality in her
innovative recruitment approaches.
Jayson Phelps, a Senior Partner at Phelps, has a strong track record in
successful placements
across various sectors. His ability to create lasting partnerships has made him
a trusted advisor
to academic institutions, non-profits, corporations, and more. With over 20
years of expertise in
Leadership Recruitment and Board Advisory, Jayson excels in identifying talent
and ensuring their
fit within client cultures. He actively engages with selection committees and
stakeholders,
delivering a tailored experience throughout the talent search cycle.
DR. JILL BIRCH
DR. JILL BIRCH
National Director, Leadership & Strategy
Dr. Jill Birch, Founder and CEO of BirchGrove Inc., is a leadership advisor,
author,
and senior executive. As the National Director of Leadership & Strategy at
Phelps,
she supports organizations in developing leaders and achieving strategic
imperatives. With extensive experience in non-profit and for-profit sectors, she
has
worked with prestigious institutions and held senior leadership roles in retail,
broadcasting, publishing, and marketing. Dr. Birch is a renowned speaker who
addresses global leaders on employee engagement, innovative strategies, and
success
metrics.
Heather Angel, is the Senior Coach and Leadership Development Consultant at
Phelps Group,
specializes in executive coaching and leadership development across various
sectors. With over 25
years of experience, she guides leaders through complex challenges and works
with them and their
teams to evolve their leadership presence and enhance their positive impact
within the
organizations they serve. Heather has held executive leadership roles at Golder
& Associates, the
Canadian Diabetes Association, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, and Monsanto Canada, and
served on several
boards. She holds a master's degree in Adult Education, the Institute of
Corporate Governance
Director designation and certificates in professional coaching, advanced HR
management,
alternative dispute resolution, and Thomas International PPA analysis.
FAREED M. AMIN
FAREED M. AMIN
Senior Consultant, Diversity Practice
Fareed brings over 26 years of public service experience at the provincial and
municipal levels, holding various senior positions. His expertise in the public
sector contributes significantly to Phelps. Fareed actively participates in the
entire search process, from pre-search to post-search, ensuring the integration
of
best practices and promoting diverse representation of candidates. His
leadership
fosters an inclusive selection process for the Selection Committee, addressing
potential biases and creating a level playing field for all. Fareed's
involvement
extends beyond Phelps, as he serves on multiple boards in the not-for-profit,
private, and public sectors, including being the Chair of the Judicial
Appointments
Advisory Committee. He has also obtained a Diversity & Inclusion certificate
from
Cornell.
Brent Thomas
Brent Thomas
Practice Lead for Cyber | Tech | Risk
Brent Thomas is a recognized cybersecurity leader with two decades of experience in building and
running cybersecurity teams and programs across many large and recognized organizations, nationally
and globally. Throughout his career, Brent has worked with post-secondary institutions and professional
accreditation organizations to shape curriculum, develop certifications, and support the cybersecurity, risk and
technology professions. He maintains several sought-after certifications in information security and risk management.
As Brent has a proven ability to solve complex business problems and lead people amid growth and change, he brings wealth
of experience to help recruit and develop the leadership you need to build strong and resilient leadership teams and programs for your organization.
Antonella Knorr is the heart and soul of Phelps, working extensively with clients
and candidates.
With over 20 years of experience in customer service and administration and a
diverse career
including library and travel services, she effectively supports all members of
our Senior
Leadership team. Her attention to detail, strong organizational skills and
ability to prioritize
allows for the effective delivery of administrative support that is crucial
within the executive
search market.
In addition to her role within the Executive Search practice, Antonella leads
the Temporary
Staffing Division in Thunder Bay, focusing on identifying and placing suitable
candidates for
short-term job opportunities.
Michael Macneil
Michael Macneil
Research and Database Coordinator
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Michael is a member of Bearskin Lake
First Nation. He
attended and graduated from Confederation College’s Business Administration –
Human Resources
Program followed by Lakehead University’s Bachelor of Administration program.
Michael started
working at Phelps as a Research & Database Coordinator in 2019. He has a passion
for Backcountry
Camping and hiking.
Teana Sacchetti
Teana Sacchetti
Communications Lead
Teana Sacchetti is Phelps' Communication Lead. A diligent and self-motivated
worker, Teana thrives
in communications spaces and fast paced environments. She holds a Master of Arts
degree in English
Literature, as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from
Lakehead University.
Varnika Shah
Varnika Shah
Administrative Assistant
Varnika Shah is an Administrative Assistant at Phelps. She recently completed
her degree in Human
Resource Management at Confederation College, and is passionate about helping
employees, clients,
and candidates. She brings over two years of experience in the recruitment
industry placing the
right candidates in the right job.
Unekwu Hadiza Ogbodo
Unekwu Hadiza Ogbodo
Administrative Services & Project Coordinator
Unekwu Hadiza Ogbodo is a Administrative Services & Project Coordinator for Phelps. Unekwu utilizes her diverse skills to provide invaluable support, contributing to the smooth functioning of the organization. She holds LLB and BL degrees in Law and a post-graduate certificate in International Business Management which demonstrate a dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.
Sadia Uddin
Sadia Uddin
Manager, Research & Analytics
Sadia has many years of experience working within the public and private sector, non-profit and social advocacy organizations. Sadia applies her extensive knowledge of rights, diversity, equity and inclusion while conducting research, implementing leading industry practices for outreach and strategizing to meet varying and evolving client needs.
Sana Iqbal
Sana Iqbal
Research Associate
Sana is a seasoned professional with more than 8 years of experience in the field of Leadership Hiring and Talent Acquisition. Her career journey has taken her across diverse geographical locations and encompassed recruiting for leadership roles in both the private sector and non-profit organizations. Leveraging her training and personal experiences in DEI, Sana crafts comprehensive outreach strategies all the while empathetically understanding the candidate’s unique journey.
Shweta Jacob
Shweta Jacob
Research & Analytics Lead
Shweta is a Research & Analytics Lead at Phelps, where she is charged with building out sourcing and selection strategies. Shweta has over 18 years experience in full cycle recruitment including talent mapping and engagement strategies for both Canada and the US. Shweta is often requested to speak and share her expertise in technology efficiencies for Talent Acquisition and has been a panelist for numerous webinars on the topic of hiring with a diversity focused lens.
