PATRICIA WENGER, PFP, FMA: Business Plan Writer
Pat holds her Personal Financial Planning designation from the Institute of Canadian Bankers as well as a Financial Management Advisor designation from the Canadian Securities Institute.
With a career in financial services spanning 25 years, Pat has a broad base of business knowledge. She has held a variety of positions throughout her banking career such as Financial Planner, Investment Advisor, Project Manager, Lending Manager and Branch Manager.
Pat has a passion for writing and has lots of experience writing Business Plans, Project Charters, Financial Plans and Performance Management reporting.

 

SUSAN LONGHI, BSc, MBA: Business Plan Writer
Sue has extensive experience in the travel, healthcare/hospital and community policing sectors, Federal and Provincial Governments, Canadian Military and over 30 years administrative experience with NPOs.
She has been an Executive Director for a number of organizations and has been successful in her own business as a Management Consultant writing grants and obtaining funding for a wide range of businesses at a number of levels.
Sue specializes in community development, organizational, volunteer and financial management, facilitation of professional development seminars and workshops at Staff and Board levels.
Her expertise in working with clients to develop creative funding models, coupled with her financial expertise, are some of her many strengths.

 

KATHLEEN ELLIOT, BA, JD: Business Plan Writer
Kathleen is an award-winning researcher and writer with more than 30 years experience in government and corporate communications; a former CBC radio and television journalist Kathleen understands the importance of ensuring your written materials are accurate and relevant to the target audience.
Kathleen's expert knowledge of government and corporations allows her to recognize key phrases and identify the expectations and principles guiding funding decisions. With a proven track record of excellence in securing funding for various businesses, Kathleen knows that successful business plans and grant applications are aligned with the vision and mission of funding bodies.
Kathleen has written business plans, proposals, presentation packages and grant applications in areas such as environmental management, infrastructure services, heritage buildings and programs, small business, consumer affairs, law and education.

 

LAURIE CRADDOCK, MBA: Business Plan Writer
Laurie is a widely experienced business executive. He has been president and CEO of several enterprises that have included manufacturing, retail and professional services. He has worked for large companies and he owned his own manufacturing business as well.
He has consulted to business in strategic planning and organizational development. He has served as a business management facilitator in team building and problem solving.
His professionalism and business expertise, combined with his passion for writing, makes Laurie a very valuable member of the Business Plans Canada team.

 

KELLY FOLEY: Business Plan Writer
Kelly has over 20 years experience in all facets of strategic planning and business development. Specializing in marketing and communications, she is a creative-thinker with proven success at developing client-focussed initiatives.
As a marketing consultant, Kelly has worked with a diverse range of industry types, including engineering and architectural firms, wireless technology developers, film producers, and software companies. With these clients, she has developed integrated marketing programs involving media relations, advertising, content development and Internet marketing.
Kelly has excellent writing skills and has effectively produced business plans and grants to secure funding. Her articles have been published in trade journals, newspapers, business magazines, and Internet forums.

 

DONNA MCMAHON, BA: Business Plan Writer
Donna McMahon has a wide range of varied writing experience. Her background includes nine years in public relations for a community college, several years in freelance journalism and medical reporting, assorted plain language legal publications, grant writing, writing for websites, and publishing popular fiction.
Donna has worked in many different settings, from very technical industries such as engineering, biotech and the oil industry, to nonprofit groups such as the Alzheimer Society of BC and the Vancouver Art Gallery. She particularly enjoys the challenge of explaining complex material clearly and concisely, and learning about industries that are new to her. She volunteers extensively in the community and with nonprofit organizations.

 

CHARLES JEFFERY, BSc, CDipAF: Financial Modeler
Charles relocated with his family to Canada from the UK in 2005. Charles has a degree in production management and a certified diploma in accounting and finance. He has over 20 years experience in different industry sectors including, defense equipment, capital goods, broadcast equipment, regional newspaper, handheld computing and pest control service industry.
He has a working knowledge of the full business cycle from Sales & Marketing to Delivery, including office administration, finance and HR. Using his extensive skills and expertise to turn a designers dream into an economic financial reality. His practical exposure in budgeting, forecasting, financial and management accounting, coupled with his management background, provide a unique approach to understanding your business and preparing your financial statements.

 

TANYA TOPOLNISKI: Project Manager
As she continued to move further west from her home town in south western Manitoba, Tanya has accumulated almost twenty years of senior level administrative and management experience in a variety of demanding environments. Her expertise includes business development, public relations, sales and marketing, brand development and project management.
She is recognized for her adaptability in stepping into new roles and punctuality in meeting aggressive deadlines. Her flexibility stems from having worked with both large multi-national corporations as well as a variety of start-up operations. Her passion and determination are matched by her level of customer service. She now lives on the Sunshine Coast where she pursues her hobby of writing.

 

DAVID JEPHCOTT, Sales and Marketing
Dave's enthusiasm, creativity, and passionate customer service are cornerstones of a unique and varied business career. A graduate of UWO, Dave began his career in Customer Services and Inside Sales.
Accepting a junior managerial position at the British Standards Institute in London, England, Dave excelled at the creation of a modern inbound, telephone-based customer service department.
Returning to his native BC, Dave helped drive rapid growth (from eight to ninety employees in 5 years) of a direct mail marketing company during his 8-year tenure as Marketing Manager through international expansion, multimedia production, and lead generation. Sales presentations and negotiations are key elements of his proven track record managing a busy Marketing department and increasing sales. Dave will be a key element to Business Plans Canada's business development, sales and marketing initiatives.

 

JOE JAMES, BA: Sales and Marketing
Joe's experience ranges from corporate B2B sales to residential real estate where he facilitated several multimillion dollar transactions and developed and executed successful web-based lead generation and mail-based marketing programs. As a business manager, he successfully implemented strategic planning and managed operations for a diverse company portfolio, including real estate development, commercial landlord operations, retail and other business investments.
An entrepreneur himself, Joe enjoys helping enterprising people take their business to the next level.
Originally from Toronto, Joe relocated to Vancouver in 1993. He founded and continues to produce the annual Tofino Film Festival, now in its twelfth year.

 

GREG WELSTEAD
Greg Welstead is a "coachsultant" to entrepreneurs, business startups, independent professionals, and not-for-profits. Educated at the University of Waterloo (Systems Design Engineering) and University of Toronto (M. Ed.), Greg is a Certified Management Consultant, a Certified Business Coach, a Career Development Facilitator, and a specialist in online marketing and customer relationship management best practices.
He has co-authored award-winning business plans, and is currently advising the CEO of a high-growth Asian media technology firm to secure $3M in funding.
Greg moved to BC’s Sunshine Coast in 2007 after taking early retirement from his position as Senior Project Manager (Strategic Initiatives) for Bell Globemedia, Canada’s largest media conglomerate. As Associate Publisher for Just Business Magazine, Greg contributed articles and co-ordinated the publication of a monthly glossy magazine focusing on successful local entrepreneurs.

 

CELESTE LOZANO, BCS, PDiPM: VP, Operations & Founder
A business consultant has many different roles including working as a speaker, trainer, and writer as well as providing risk analysis and responding to questions and concerns posed by the clients. With more than 12 years working at major corporations in South America, the UK and Canada, Celeste has all that expertise and more.
She is a natural leader and workshop facilitator, especially when it comes to Business Planning and Business Process Re-Engineering. Coaching and working with teams are her best strengths. These skills added to her years of experience and combined with her academic background and certifications, make Celeste an excellent business consultant and project manager.
Besides, she is fully fluent both in English and Spanish, and she has excellent communication skills, which has made her win the trust and respect of high level executives and business owners.

 

ADRIAN RUDZIKAS, MBA, PMP, CSM: CEO & Founder
Successful at turning thoughts into action. Adrian is an entrepreneurial individual with strong expertise in business planning and risk management, as well as in the analysis and preparation of financial forecasts and budgets.
He holds an Engineer degree, a Masters in Business Administration and other worldwide recognized management certifications. He has over 10 years of experience working for small to medium companies where he was instrumental in growing their business.
He is a strategic thinker and a result-oriented person, and he has proven to be successful at helping entrepreneurs start their own business.
He is very passionate about business planning and project management and he goes the extra mile when it comes to meeting and exceeding customers' expectations.