We are trusted advisors, professional coaches, and business owners offering a diverse set of experiences, perspectives, and competencies to help individuals and teams align their good intentions with meaningful impact.
Aligned on The Ally Co.'s core values
TACO's core values connect and direct us as a collective. They keep us grounded and accountable, to ourselves and to others. And, we are committed to activating our core values through our actions and impact. This is the way (for any Star Wars fans out there).
We use power proactively with care, skill, and wisdom. This means we understand the different types of power and how they show up in relationships. It also means, that in our own power, we acknowledge our privilege, invite feedback, and act both consciously and responsibly.
Meaningful change requires an awareness of systemic forces, and the skill and willingness to challenge the status-quo. This means we seek to create understanding, alignment, and agreement by exploring different experiences and beliefs, power dynamics, structures, and other deeply rooted forces.
Human connection, belonging, and impact are the heart of our work. This means we endeavour to lead with empathy and compassion - activating deep listening and meaningful dialogue to understand people's true needs, values, and goals.
We live and thrive at our growth edges. This means we step outside of our comfort zones and lean into compassionate curiosity, experimentation, and transformation. It also means we do not have all the answers and work hard to avoid "expertitis".
We are clear, concise, and direct in in how we reach and move people. This means we check our biases and assumptions and operate in lean, responsive, and practical ways when it comes to our work with teams.
Our work can be deep, emotional, and tough AND also connecting, exciting, and fun. We bring as much of ourselves as we can to our work and the people we meet. And we look for opportunities to recognize and celebrate our differences through connecting and fun moments.
Ben Clarke
Purpose
I help build effective, fun, and successful workplaces by investing in the development and care of leaders and teams at all levels.
Happy place
It's all about impact for me. Seeing the lights come on for a leader, hearing that a team is doing things differently, watching the trajectory of a company change after a reorganization. Impact for me comes through genuine partnership with people and teams, balancing a coaching approach to help them find their own solutions, with a consulting approach to offer experience, learning, and advice. And sometimes, joining in on the work with companies to put new ideas into practice.
My favourite work happens in five core areas: developing leaders, building successful teams, creating strong communication cultures for hybrid workforces, raising company-wide performance, and helping teams work smarter.
I'm also passionate about simplifying HR and returning to a People focus.
Journey
I've always been an explorer, a curious person - persistently asking "why?" questions led me into science, into academia and ultimately to a PhD. In my first career I explored for new oil & gas fields in remote areas around the world.
For the last 10 years I've been exploring workplaces, leadership styles, and testing assumptions that we all make about work. I became a PCC-level credentialed executive coach, and created (and continually refine & update) an 85-module MBA-level leader development program.
Life-changing moment
Losing my Dad in his 60s before he could enjoy his long-saved for retirement. What if I could love what I do right now, and not just wait it out until retirement? Especially if retirement never happens. That influenced my career change, and continues to influence all my work to help others enjoy, thrive, and flourish in their 9 to 5.
Jeff Barrett
Purpose
I create content that is impactful on people's lives.
Happy place
Spending time with my family, whether that is around the dinner table sharing laughs and stories. I am lucky to have most of my family here in Calgary and getting to spend time with them!
Journey
Back in 2016, I graduated from Mount Royal University in their Broadcasting program. I jumped right into the field with Ride Guide TV helping them catalogue and splice all of their content in the past 15 years.
Shortly after, I got a position with a small startup, Bootkik, as an assistant video editor, and this opportunity was incredible as I was mentored in developing my video editing skills. I created content that was posted on their social media platforms and I knew that this was the field for me.
I have done some freelance work over time, which eventually led me to Virtual Gurus! I have been a part of Virtual Gurus for over a year now and they have put me in touch with incredible organizations such as The Ally Co.!
Life-changing moment
My life-changing moment was when I joined the Calgary Power Hockey League in 2005. The CPHL is a competitive hockey league for people with disabilities and uses a power chair for daily living. The CPHL introduced me to a world I didn't know was possible for me - meeting like-minded individuals who compete week after week. It has also given me the chance to travel across North America and Europe to compete against the best our sport has to offer!
It's incredibly rewarding to see the sport continue to grow as more players join to compete - allowing me to be a mentor like those before me when I originally joined!
Jeff Couillard
Purpose
I help people connect with their power, align with what’s most meaningful, and take positive action towards it.
Happy place
I love all things teaching, facilitating, speaking and consulting. My sweet spot is helping leaders and teams engage in meaningful dialogue, identifying challenges and opportunities and creating the conditions for high levels of trust and engagement. This often looks like:
- Core Values, Purpose, and Vision Exploration
- At-Risk vs. At-Stake Understanding + Direction
- Alignment with Corporate and/or Board Expectations
- Clear Strategies (choices), Ownership, and Action Plans
- Effective Communication for Engagement and Action
Journey
Having spent many of my earlier years leading teams and helping to build world-class addiction treatment programs, I’ve developed a skill set and approach to change that is grounded in the human experience and a deep understanding of power and motivation.
I’ve worked with a wide range of leaders (and their teams) over the years, on a single mission - to help build world-class, human-centred organizations that create the kind of impact that we usually only dream about.
Life-changing moment
In my late 20s, halfway through our first pregnancy, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This event kicked off a series of life-changing moments, including a TEDx talk, quitting a senior leadership role to pursue life as an entrepreneur, and a deeper focus on living (and helping others live) a meaningful life.
Lindsay Sheldrake
Purpose
I help serviced-based businesses solve problems by aligning their people, processes, and technology.
Happy place
I thrive when exploring 'what ifs' and 'why nots', challenging outdated systems, and navigating beyond conventional norms.
As a fixer and builder, I enjoy colouring outside the lines, redesigning processes, and transforming chaos into organized brilliance.
On weekends, you can catch me exploring pathways, finding peace in yoga, and enjoying nature with my husband. I also enjoy savouring a good latte with good company!
Journey
I am a wife, a mother, a project manager, and a purpose-driven leader. My passion lies in serving and empowering others to focus on what matters most. I thrive in dynamic situations where I can think on my toes, resulting in a diverse career portfolio rather than a linear path.
From Oil & Gas to raising three kids, to Interior Design, and Operations Management, my journey has been anything but conventional, accumulating a wealth of diverse experiences along the way.
Life-changing moment
Eight months ago, while shopping for a fall jacket, I found myself drawn to a bright yellow coat - a departure from my usual blacks, navies, and greys. This surprising choice made me reflect on my life. I realized I had been hiding in plain sight, blending into the background, shaped by years of being told I was "too much" - too loud, too talkative, too silly, too smart, too trusting.
This yellow jacket marked a turning point, a bold statement that I am done with blending in. Not everyone will like it, and that is okay. I have embraced that I am here to be authentically me.
Michelle Savella
Purpose
To bring structure, organization, and leadership to the teams and projects I manage. My mission is to support executives, manage operations, and communicate effectively with people. My aim is to ensure smooth operations, provide exceptional administrative support, and contribute to organizational success.
Happy place
My happy place is spending time with my family. In their presence, I find joy, comfort, and an unshakable sense of belonging. Whether it's over a shared meal, laughter filling the room, or quiet moments of togetherness, each experience becomes a cherished memory. With them, I can let go of the world's weight, recharge my spirit, and be reminded of what truly holds meaning in life.
Journey
My career journey spans over 25 years of administrative expertise across various industries. From managing operations for multiple corporations to supporting top executives, my path has been one of consistent professional growth. I’ve taken on roles in investor relations, project management, and corporate communications, continuously refining skills in leadership and strategy and to my own personal development and adaptability across different sectors.
Life-changing moment
A life-changing moment for me was the transition from working in corporate environments to owning and operating my own business, Petals & Papery Enterprises Inc. This period provided me with new insights into leadership, independence, and creativity - which shaped my career path as I continued to take on more executive roles.
Pablo Romero
Purpose
I help courageous, human-centred leaders to take responsibility for themselves, their teams, and their world.
Happy place
I love collaborating, innovating, and creating with others in the People and Workplace Culture space, helping leaders and teams to design meaningful and impactful experiences, services, and relationships. Here's what that can look like:
- Leading with Human-Centred Design
- Transforming Culture and Experiences
- Re-imagining the Employee Journey
- Building Adaptive Capacity with Autonomous Teams
- Designing meaningful careers
- Developing conscious and effective communication skills
- Learning how to use conflict/tension to innovate and connect
Journey
Self-expression, autonomy, and change have always been leading values of mine, so over the last 20+ years I've had the opportunity to experience a diverse mix of industries, organizations, and roles.
From managing a sales and marketing practice at age 20 in the consumer products industry for global brands like Pepsi, Unilever, Shiseido and Coty Prestige, to leading large and dispersed teams in customer and employee experience and operations for a global investment firm, to helping human-centred leaders and some of North America's best places to work to design and implement impactful workplace experiences - it's all been an incredible journey so far!
Life-changing moment
After years of not listening to my body, and at the age of 30, I got really sick…and my marriage was in jeopardy, we were expecting our first kiddo, I’d resigned from my high-paying job in beautiful SE Asia, and we were heading back to Canada with no home or employment.
I made the decision to use what I’d learned, and put my energy into humanizing the workplace - a structure and collective that holds the power to enrich the lives of its people and community.
What's one of your life-changing moments?
Pamela Perez
Purpose
I help advocate for vulnerable audiences and visible minorities by designing and implementing meaningful DEIB practices.
Happy place
I have two happy places! The first is the ocean (preferably the Caribbean), as it has always brought me peace and reminds me of home and roots.
My second happy place is my home, where and when I'm with my son, and surrounded by people that love, respect, and see me as I am. I love the feeling of safety and family.
Journey
Academically, I have a Bachelor's in psychology. From there, my career journey has included various roles in the Human Resources and People + Culture space - from being a Partner, to specializing in areas such as recruitment, learning and development, DEI, and more recently facilitating and consulting.
Life-changing moment
Two come to mind.
The first being my son - from dealing with infertility, unsuccessful IVF treatments, and being pregnant during Covid.
The second was moving to Canada, after having lived in South America - experiencing extreme cold winters, getting used to the diversity of people and cultures, the language, finding employment, and situating myself in a new country without my family.
Navigating my cultural and personal programming has been a hard process, but one I'm truly grateful for.
Rod Miller
Purpose
I help create organizations where everyone belongs.
Happy place
My 'Happy Place' is a space where I see eyes light up, whether it's in a classroom, a session I'm facilitating, or during a one-on-one client interaction. I find immense joy in those moments when someone feels a sense of belonging right there in that moment. I believe that when we work together, we create significant change in our organizations, teams, and even the world.
Here is what I offer;
- Working with senior executives and boards to improve effectiveness
- Executive and leadership coach working with individuals and teams to ignite potential
- Facilitating powerful sessions that bring meaningful change
- Blowing up the status quo and designing new ways of being
- Building deep authenticity in organizations to help catalyze change
- Cross-cultural competencies and leveraging diversity
Journey
Over the course of my career journey, I have worked in various sectors and held multiple positions, including President and CEO, reporting to an elected board of directors. At the heart of my work is igniting the potential in others to shine brightly and live aligned to their values.
Life-changing moment
In 2008, I got a call from my doctor. "You have cancer," were the words I heard. When I heard these words I asked myself - is this the life I want? This launched me into focusing on purposeful and meaningful work. I knew then that my life needed to change, and so began the pursuit of aligning my work with my passion for developing others.
Tammy Arseneau
Purpose
To help leaders and teams enhance their performance through neuroscience-backed approaches.
Happy place
I am deeply passionate about work that enhances connection and performance on teams. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with my husband Rob and our three sons, Jonah, Willem, and Reid, two cats and one dog.
Whether engaged in their sporting activities, traveling, or enjoying moments at their family cabin in Alberta, I value quality time with family and friends in my downtime.
Journey
I am the founder and a Senior Consultant and Coach at Cortical Consulting & Coaching, where we help businesses harness the power of applied neuroscience to navigate today’s challenges, optimize performance, and build resilience in a constantly changing world.
I am also a seasoned Human Resources Executive and Organizational Effectiveness Consultant and Coach, with over 25 years of experience in the energy and consulting sectors.
Having worked with teams in Canada, the US, and New Zealand, I bring a diverse set of perspectives, models, and tools to my work with clients. As a change agent, I am known for my pragmatic approach and authentic leadership style.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Business Administration from Henley Business School in the United Kingdom.
Life-changing moment
My life changing moment happened when I was orphaned at 15 years old. I learned the value of perseverance and hard work to create the life you want and deserve. Without a safety net, I had to trust my instincts, ask for help and bet on myself.
I feel blessed to have had a solid foundation and with support, self-reliance and resilience I have learned to overcome many challenges with curiosity and grace.