Wanetta Beal, Program Leader

Wanetta has an infectious energy that motivates and inspires others to action.  Her passion for life, and living it to the fullest, makes her an engaging speaker.  Wanetta and her husband Grai, live in Qualicum Beach and own One on One Fitness where they help their clients change their bodies through nutritional counseling and personal training.  Wanetta has been a Weight Watchers leader since 1998 helping thousands of people reach their goals.  Always pushing herself out of her comfort zone, Wanetta is the first woman to run the famous, West Coast Trail in a day.  She's also ridden her bicycle from Alaska to Mexico, competed in Ironman Canada and runs Ultra Marathons every year.  Her sincere interest in people and their welfare and happiness shines through.

Kathleen Carie, Program Leader

Kathleen has comprehensive experience in the training industry, is a polished, persuasive communicator and expert presenter. As Chief Operating Officer for Context Associated, an international training company, Kathleen worked directly with the founder, Randy Revell and opened up 8 new profit centers across the United States and Canada .  Randy described Kathleen as an outrageously well-loved personality who brings new meaning to the words, "fun" and "great results."  Kathleen is also Vice President of Leadership Development for Merriweather Trainings based out of the U.K. Kathleen resides in Mercer Island , Washington with her two Bichon Frise dogs who currently allow her to live in the house with them.

Jeff Gaines, Program Leader

Jeff Gaines has been a speaker and consultant in the field of corporate and personal development since 1995. In that time he has worked with hundreds of companies all over the country in a wide variety of fields. His witty and relaxed approach to addressing complex or uncomfortable issues keeps the audience engaged, entertained and informed. A veteran leader of all 3 courses of The Excellence Series, he also has extensive experience in management, leadership, communication, motivation and emotional intelligence.

Lorraine Jensen, General Manager & Program Leader

Lorraine is a highly energetic leader who has worked with people in many capacities over the span of her diverse career.  She has a background as a facilitator, has worked in sales and training and has worked with people dealing with addictions.  Lorraine has provided counseling and has coordinated Centers that support people struggling with both drug and alcohol problems as well as food addictions.  Lorraine's personal life experiences and challenges, coupled with her sense of humor, genuine enthusiasm and love for life, provide hope and inspiration for others.  Lorraine and her husband Shawn live with their family in Nanaimo.

Pam Lewis, Director & Program Leader

From an early age, Pam has generated opportunities for people to create excellence in their lives and in their area of passion. At 15, she began coaching synchronized swimming and by 20 was rated in the top 10 coaches in the world. Compelled to make a social contribution, she completed her education, worked in non-profit organizations and in 1983 began teaching communication, leadership and organizational skills in post-secondary education. As a lifelong learner, she took the Excellence Series in 1989, started leading programs in 1998 and became the Director of Excellence Seminars International in 1999. Pam lives with her family on Long Lake in Nanaimo.

Kim Nonis, Program Leader

Kim has been attending and assisting programs in the Excellence Series since 1996. Kim leads the Advancement of Excellence and is continuing her development to lead additional courses. By living her life to the fullest, Kim inspires others to become clear about what is most important to them and really go after it! Passionate about making a difference in the world, she founded and chairs W.I.N.G.S. - a pay-forward foundation committed to nurturing goodwill globally. Her enthusiasm, humor and passion for learning are evident. Kim and her husband Mark also own and operate Nonis Electrical Services. They live in Belcarra , BC , along with daughter Sarah and dog Mocha.

Carol Peringer, Program Leader

Carol is a highly regarded educator in the field of personal and professional development. She began to lead courses in the Excellence Series in 1986 and she has worked successfully with thousands of people in her role as a Senior Facilitator. Carol's life work is in assisting people in gaining clarity about what has meaning for them. Her masterful skills and insight, combined with humor and compassion create a phenomenal sense of safety in the training room. Carol has developed and taught many other courses, most recently including "Inside Passage" and "Lighting the Path". Carol lives in Washington with her husband Stephen, an accomplished artist.

Larry Reymore, Program Leader

For more than 24 years as a seminar leader and group process facilitator, Larry has had one core mission:  “Making a heart-felt difference by contributing in significant, measurable ways to the life satisfaction of individuals and the effectiveness of organizations.”  Expressing that mission, he has conducted countless corporate trainings and public seminars throughout the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong and the former Soviet Union to groups numbering 5 to 2,000.  Larry has been a highly respected leader of the Excellence Series seminars since 1983.  His engaging style, humor and sincerity, help participants to create personal breakthroughs in newly discovered strengths, abilities, and an expanded vision for their future.

Michelle Richardson , Program Leader

As Head Coach of Momentum Works, Michelle coaches entrepreneurs, corporate managers, individuals, groups and teams; she also leads the Radical Happiness Community for CoachVille, a worldwide leader in coach training.  A firm believer in continuous growth and skills development, she is passionate about working with people to support their success both professionally and personally.  Her strong business development background includes 10 successful years with Microsoft and 2 with Dominion Information Services. Michelle's Vision is to have a profoundly positive impact in the world and, as evidenced by her nomination for the 2005 YWCA of Vancouver Women of Distinction Award, she is doing just that. 

Mardig Sheridan, Program Leader

Mardig is acclaimed for his facilitation of Personal Development and Effectiveness seminars throughout North America and the Pacific Rim. He is known for creating personalized and compelling seminars and for his outstanding contribution to thousands of people, leading the Pursuit of Excellence for the last 15 years. Mardig fosters dramatic change in participants' inner thinking, inspires them to overcome self-limiting attitudes and habits, master immediately useful skills and expand their vision of what is possible. Mardig is the co-author of "Winning the Human Race" and resides in Seattle with his wife Stacey.

Jim Sorensen, Program Leader

For 23 years, Jim has educated and enlivened the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals who have attended his presentations. Whether speaking to corporate audiences or the general public, he presents topics interestingly and humorously, consistently receiving rave reviews from companies from coast to coast and around the world. In addition to leading The Pursuit of Excellence for over 20 years, Jim custom designs and develops a range of relationship-building topics. Jim Sorensen is also an accomplished artist and illustrator, with seven books to his credit. He lives in Seattle with his wife Brenda and daughter Katelyn.

Brent Stewart, Program Leader

An experienced seminar leader and executive coach, Brent has worked with thousands of individuals across Canada and internationally since 1992. He serves as a member of the associate faculty for Royal Roads University , teaching personal leadership, ethics, coaching and teamwork, and is a seasoned facilitator of the Pursuit of Excellence and The Wall. Known for his humour and clarity, Brent combines an understanding of business with tremendous skill in individual and group learning processes.

Nadia Wnuk, Program Leader

Involved with Excellence Seminars for over 10 years, first as a Service Representative, and then as a Program Leader, Nadia delivers each program as if it were her first.  Combining a quirky sense of humour, her own personal life stories and rich, diverse background with the program materials, participants are fully engaged in each step.  Nadia, in partnership with her husband Brian, runs three large businesses in British Columbia and uses those life experiences to fully illustrate different dimensions of the courses she facilitates.  With compassionate courage she embraces whatever participants are willing to share and stands with them in the fire as they move forward to make the necessary changes to improve the quality of their own lives.

Michelle Ross, Operations Manager

Michelle Ross is a long time Grad that has volunteered many times since completing the Excellence Series in March 2000.  In September of 2008 Michelle joined the ESI Team and wears many hats including Operations Manager, Vancouver Island Volunteer Coordinator, Assisting Workshop Leader, AOE Team Grounder and Yukon Logistics Coordinator.  Michelle brings many skills to the table with a career in Financial Services from 1987 to 2003, and then becoming a Reiki Master-Teacher in 2003.  Michelle is the owner operator of HeartBody & Soul Healing Centre, where she works one on one with clients, teaches Reiki Classes, Hawaiian Healing practices, Breathing Techniques & Guided Mediations.  Her personal mission is to “Promote Positive Living for Children & Families, Fostering Reverence & Respect for all Living things, Making a Difference in our Families, Communities & the World.”  Michelle lives & works in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island with her husband, Angus.

Roxanne Richardson, Seattle Team Grounder

Roxanne is committed to lifelong learning and is passionate about assisting others in achieving their full potential. She has been involved in education and training for over 25 years with focuses on communication and personal development. Since 1994, when she completed the Excellence Series, Roxanne has contributed to the fabric of goodwill through her involvement in all the courses offered. Known for her compassionate honesty, her organizational excellence, and her absolute commitment to growth, Roxanne lives in Seattle and leads the Assisting Workshop.

Laura Bentley, Service Representative - Vancouver Island

Laura Bentley spent 30 years in the Trust industry, as a Trust Officer, a Branch Manager of a Trust Company, and the last 14 years were spent on the Sales side of that business, as she prospected potential clients for trust services.  In 2003, Laura made a decision to become self-employed.  She has successfully operated home-based businesses, and is proud to have achieved a life-long dream of becoming an author and photographer of her own greeting card line, Dragonfly Kreations Greetings.  Laura completed the Excellence series in 1992, and is crystal clear of the value that she receives at every pivotal point in her life.  Laura lives in beautiful Qualicum Beach, BC with her cat.  She is grateful every day that Excellence Seminars is a part of her life, and feels priviledged to share the value with others. 

Jill Badger-Caldwell, Service Representative - Vancouver & Lower Mainland

Jill completed the Excellence Series in 1999 and ever since has wanted to "give back". She enjoys being involved with others uncovering their true potential and is committed to expanding the Vancouver market with individual and corporate programs. Living part-time in Hawaii , Jill's goal is also to have Excellence Seminars International deliver programs in Hawaii . Jill is also the Vice President of Volterre Wellness Corporation which provides new and innovative solutions to the wellness industry and was a flight attendant and a Union President for twenty years. She enjoys living the sporting life with her husband and well humored teenaged son and has two great step sons who are both attending College.

Christina Bianchini, Service Representative - Vancouver & Lower Mainland

As a highly successful sales manager and coach, Christina’s passion lies in the service and connection of meeting the needs of her clients.  With a fun and engaging style, she has lead workshops and coached individuals to success over the last 10 years.  To further her understanding of human relationships, both with self and others, she is currently studying to be a Registered Professional Counselor. She wholeheartedly believes in giving back, and that made her a natural fit in the role of Volunteer Coordinator.  Christina enjoys being a part of the Excellence community, and is happy to join the team in the role of Service Representative. Christina credits the Excellence series for teaching her principles she has applied to her life, enriching her relationships and resulting in a more fulfilling experience of life.

Matt Leibsohn, PhD, Service Representative - Seattle

Matt Leibsohn has been a licensed psychologist in the Seattle area since 1992, working passionately with adults, adolescents, and couples. In addition, to being an accomplished entrepreneur, Matt has taught courses and led seminars with a dynamic, engaging, and compassionate style. He is committed to promoting healing and intimacy by teaching people solutions for living. Matt's goal as a Service Representative with Excellence Seminars International is to greatly expand the Seattle market. He is also preparing to lead programs in the Excellence Series. Matt lives in the Seattle area with his wife Jackie, a professor at Seattle University , and his two teenage boys, Alec and Jake.