About CBD

Our Team

Kelowna

Will Gow
Will is the Owner of CBD Network Inc. and has over fourteen years experience as a consultant to various federal and provincial agencies (as well as numerous corporate clients, small business, and private individuals) with over ten years in the appointed position of Chairperson, Employment Insurance Board of Referees. Having instructed hundreds of workshops on job search, career transition, and essential management skills he brings a wealth of information to local professionals in transition. Will has also provided Outplacement Services acting as a Coordinator for company shutdowns including Brenda Mines and Vanguard Mfg. A keynote speaker on workplace issues; former Owner and Trainer, Priority Management Program (Okanagan); and a Certified Human Resource Practitioner, Will obtained a Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree from McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario.

Barbara Mazankowski
As CBD's Program Coordinator / Facilitator, Barbara combines her diverse business experience with a background in human behaviour to assist clients in assessing career strengths and interests while matching goals, with opportunities in the market place, and developing effective job search skills. Facilitating the career transition Orientation session by providing assessments, evaluations and planning assistance; clients are engaged in communication, negotiation and resolution skills through work group problem solving processes. Previously recognized for a successful business background in operations management, Barbara has extensive experience in fulfilling marketing and promotion strategies and a demonstrated financial track record of exceeding forecasts, budgets and corporate goals.

Luc Bergeron
Luc is a Bilingual (French/English) Career Coach & Facilitator at CBD Network, Kelowna. With a significant professional history working within a variety of Social Sectors including Mental Health, Persons with Disabilities, Human Resources & Employment, Luc has an educational background in Recreation Management, Employment Assistance and Human Resources. With over 10 years experience in the Employment Assistance Sector providing Case Management, Assessment, Counselling, Coaching and Facilitation Luc brings a broad knowledge base to a diverse variety of population sectors.

Carol Bernard
A Career Coach in the Kelowna office, responsible for resume preparation, career pathing and job search monitoring, Carol is a Human Resource professional and is a Certified Strong Interest Inventory Administrator/Counsellor with 18 years experience directing Human Resource and administrative activities. Carol has extensive expertise in: labour relations recruitment, salary administration, employee relations, health and safety, employee relocations, attendance management, career counselling, training and development, performance planning and evaluations, corporate skills assessments, personnel testing including interpreting and counselling with results, developing training plans. Carol brings a comprehensive background in Business Management including: employment and contract law, strategic planning, resource planning, team building facilitation, planning and implementing downsizing strategies, career transition management. Carol has worked with military projects in NWT, Canada, USA, South East Asia and Europe and has an excellent background knowledge in the Not For Profit Sector.

Sandy Zangbell
As a Career Coach working with CBD clients for the past 9 years, Sandy has been providing assistance with career / job search strategies, including resume development, cover letter preparation, researching stats and keeping current on labour market trends. She assists with interview preparation, conducting and recording mock interviews and facilitating the Career Networking Workshop. Sandy is also our technical advisor, maintaining office networked computers; updating and upgrading of computer systems and software, as well as ongoing troubleshooting and technical support. Sandy comes from a background of fifteen years of diverse experience in Senior Administration and Office Management, and is currently taking the Career Facilitator Certification program at Okanagan College.

Cheryl Penner
As the Senior Administrator at CBD, Cheryl focuses her efforts on maintaining the CBD website and client database, for statistical and labour market reporting, and is always eager to provide assistance on Microsoft Office products or help individuals with business card formatting or surfing career sites on the internet. Having an extensive background in administration, customer service and marketing, Cheryl has worked in the manufacturing, construction, banking, non-profit, public administration and real estate industries. Cheryl has extensive software experience and broadened her customer service and negotiating skills while working for the City of Kelowna, the Okanagan Mainline Municipal Labour Relations Association, Jarvis Business Centre and Future Focus. Since moving to Kelowna from Vancouver in 1994, Cheryl has worked alongside local elected officials and municipal representatives as well as working to assist individuals find suitable employment after sustaining job related injuries.

Deepy Suri
As CBD's Administrative Assistant, greeting and making appointments for new clients is Deepy's primary role while establishing client files and tracking client activity for CBD statistics. Deepy 's other responsibilities include maintaining the Resource Centre and Computer Lab, ensuring clients have reliable access to job leads, networking activities and other resources including CBD's website.

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Vernon

Anita Suess
Anita is an Employment Manager, Career Coach and Facilitator at the Vernon office. With over 15 years of experience in Employment Services throughout the Okanagan Valley, Anita has delivered hundreds of workshops and programs covering all aspects of job search techniques, hidden job market, resume development, cover letter and interview skills, and is certified to administer and interpret Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory. As a Life Skills Facilitator/Adult Educator Anita has delivered training programs in Geography, Typing, Construction Mathematics, GED, Communications, Goal Setting, Self Esteem, Problem Solving, and Computer Fundamentals. As a Financial Manager with a broad business background including public accounting practice, construction management, manufacturing, non-profit sector and entrepreneurial experience, Anita brings knowledge from a wide variety of business sectors and activities. Anita is also a member of Vernon Women in Business, and a supporter of the Vernon SPCA.

Linda Ingram
As a Career Coach in the Vernon office, Linda is responsible for resume preparation, career pathing, job search monitoring as well as facilitation of the Interview Workshop. Linda's career path includes various positions in the real estate industry together with 12 years as a licensed Realtor; however, a market downturn resulted in a career change decision. In 1999 Linda enrolled in Okanagan University College's Business Administration Program and while working part time, taking evening and summer courses, graduated in May 2005 with a BBA Honours Degree. Linda wrote her thesis topic on Volunteer Recruitment and Retention and she has served on the Board of Directors of the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Susan Neilly
Susan has been a Career Coach in the Vernon office of CBD Network since February 2005. Originally from the UK, she obtained a Teaching Diploma, taught Business Studies, became a Recruiter, specializing in office administration staff, and then expanded services to include Hospitality and Customer Service training. In 1980 Susan consulted to businesses in the Lower Mainland in areas of Recruitment, Job Evaluation, Employee Development, Management Training and Career Planning. She has facilitated many government-sponsored employment training programs to assist professionals, immigrants, youth, as well as women re-entering the workforce to implement creative job search strategies, as a Job Search Leader. As an Instructor, Susan has developed and delivered courses in Communications, Conflict Resolution, Supervisory Skills, Train the Trainer, Business English, Resume Development and Computer Fundamentals. Susan has also been active in the areas of fundraising, women's networking, publishing newsletters, crisis counselling, literacy coaching and being a mentor to youth.

Alison Ward
Alison is our Admin Support and the newest member of Vernon’s team. Originally from Australia, Alison graduated from Brisbane Business College with a Secretarial Diploma. Later, while living in Calgary, she attended a Computer Technology Program at Mount Royal College making the Dean’s Honour Roll then completed an in-depth Word Processing course. This career path led to a variety of office positions, including one of Calgary’s larger oil and gas companies. For the next 16 years, Alison advanced within the company and gained an extensive background in administrative skills along with demonstrating initiative in tackling the many challenges of working in the fast-paced energy sector. Alison moved to the Okanagan in 2002, bringing with her an extensive knowledge of software and office procedures, and began working with a local employment services provider. Now with CBD Network, Alison maintains the client database and provides support and assistance to our clients in the Computer Lab and Resource Centre.

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Penticton

Julie-Ann Miller
Julie-Ann is an accomplished professional with a strong record of achievement on executive teams in government, business and community. Julie-Ann has had leadership and management careers in healthcare, social work, disabilities and human resources. As a successful workshop presenter, she has provided informational, educational, training and motivational sessions in business and convention settings. Event coordination includes trade shows, fund raising, conferences, long service and social events. Her marketing experience includes branding, logo and letterhead design development. Media experience is in advertising, newspaper and magazine articles, video and TV features. As a manager she developed dynamic and significant relationships with staff while balancing expectations and supporting realities of the work environment. She has over 20 yrs of experience in computer technology development issues and has been active on many volunteer community boards. Julie-Ann currently volunteers with St. John’s Ambulance Pet Therapy visitation program in Penticton.

Wendy Binggeli
Wendy is a Career Coach/Facilitator in our Penticton office. Born and raised in Penticton, Wendy has a wealth of management, training and coaching experience through four successful careers: banking, including commercial lending; small business start-up coach and instructor; non-profit leadership and call centre training manager. As a successful coach within corporate cultures and as an independent, Wendy has a proven ability to transfer knowledge effectively and motivate and influence individuals and teams to achieve their goals. Wendy has significant experience living and working overseas. Community affiliations have or do include Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, multicultural societies, women’s groups and fundraisers for sporting events and children with special needs.

Kate Montgomery
Kate is a Career Coach/Facilitator, as well as one of the newest members at CBD Network, Penticton. Through her ability to provide assistance with resume and cover letter writing as well as networking, Kate helps clients on their path to employment and job satisfaction. She has a Psychology degree from the University of British Columbia. She also completed the Arts Co-op program which provided opportunities for work terms in a number of very different work settings; business, school and community service. Through the Co-op she developed strong skills in resume writing, networking and interviewing which she credits for her success in being selected for the Co-op placements she wanted. Kate has first hand experience with the ESL market abroad. She taught for 31/2 years in South Korea and in Mexico. As an ESL instructor for adult professionals in South Korea, Kate coached individuals on resume writing and preparing for interviews. Through her education and work opportunities, Kate has gained experience in business, sales and marketing, public service, teamwork, group process, teaching and group facilitation.

Anne Hordal
Anne is Penticton's first official Administrative Assistant and the second newest member of Penticton’s team. Anne has a solid background in the administrative field and is experienced with Microsoft applications as well as the E-workforce management software and the Acutec Inventory control program. Anne describes herself as a ‘mining brat’, meaning both her father and her husband worked in that sector, allowing her to live in several countries and Canadian provinces. Her administrative background includes the mining, health and natural foods industries; her most recent experience was with Excell Services in Penticton where, for seven years, she was an integral part of the Agent Support team. Anne is a master scheduler and multi-tasker who thoroughly enjoys a challenge. In her new role with CBD Network, Anne maintains the client database and job board and is the first point of contact for everyone who connects with our Penticton office.