Our Team
Management
Consulting Team
Judith Humphrey - President
Judith is founder and president of The Humphrey Group. In 1988 she launched The Humphrey Group as the first Canadian firm to focus on teaching top executives to be effective speakers. The firm has grown and the range of courses has broadened, with an increasing emphasis on teaching leaders at all levels how to influence and inspire. Judith received an M.A. in English from The University of Rochester and taught communications at York University before entering the business world. Judith's vision drives the company and makes it the brand of choice for so many leaders.
Rob Borg-Olivier - Vice President
Rob is a member of the management team in the Toronto office. He is a superb instructor and has clients all over the world who rely on him to deliver seminars and one-on-one training. Rob is a strong business builder who grows deep and lasting relationships. Before joining The Humphrey Group, Rob spent several years with a Canadian investor relations firm, where he worked with executives to help them communicate more effectively. Previously he had been at a major Canadian bank. He holds an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto.
Cynthia Ward - Vice President
Cynthia builds business partnerships for the firm. She was instrumental in developing The Humphrey Group's partnerships with The Niagara Institute and with Women in Capital Markets. She has brought Taking the Stage® to global clients and Canadian customers. She has been with The Humphrey Group since 2000, and previously was a sales executive at Nortel Networks and a director of marketing at Bell.
Vanessa AvRuskin - Senior Consultant
Vanessa is an outstanding instructor who provides inspiring seminars and one-on-one coaching to the firm's clients. She also develops strong relationships with the public and private sectors. Vanessa joined The Humphrey Group in 2005. She is a graduate of McGill University, and has studied drama and music in France at the Paris Conservatory and L'Eicar. She has performed as an orchestral musician and as a stage and television actor across Canada, The United States and Asia.
Linda Griffiths - Senior Consultant
Linda is a superb course director, instructor, and one-on-one coach who has worked extensively with the firm's clients in a broad range of industries and on several continents. She has won rave reviews as a course director for the firm's seminar for women, Taking the Stage®. She has been with the firm since 1995. Linda is an accomplished playwright and an experienced stage and film actor, Linda has written twelve published plays, including the iconic Maggie & Pierre. Her unique writing experience is invaluable when working with our clients.
Adam Growe - Consultant
Adam works with the firm's clients and is a talented and engaging instructor who brings presence and a sense of humour to the seminars. Adam owes much of his gift for leading seminars to his extensive background as an actor and comedic performer. He is a Gemini-nominated TV-host, with more than 20 years experience in radio, comedy and television. Adam has been with The Humphrey Group since 2008 and graduated with a B.A. from the University of Toronto.
Nicky Guadagni - Senior Consultant
Nicky is an inspiring course director for the firm's acclaimed Taking the Stage® program for women. She also provides speech coaching and voice training to the firm's clients. She has been with the firm since 1995. Nicky has been a professional actress on stage, radio, television and film. A graduate of Dawson College in Montreal, Nicky continued her training in theatre arts at R.A.D.A. in London, England. Her wealth of experience in theatre and film helps our clients take the corporate stage.
Jason Weinberg - Senior Consultant
Jason provides private coaching and group workshops for the firm's clients in a broad range of industries. He has been with The Humphrey Group since 2006, and holds degrees from McGill University and the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. Jason has also worked extensively in stage and television in the United States and Canada. His television credits include The Sopranos, Law and Order, and NYPD Blue.
Jocelyne Zucco - Senior Consultant
Jocelyn is Senior Consultant with The Humphrey Group, providing group and private instruction to the firm's clients. Fully bilingual, Jocelyne works across Canada and in Mexico coaching clients in both English and French. She has been with The Humphrey Group since 2006. She is an accomplished actress, performing across Canada in theatre, film, radio and television. Her credits include the feature film "Funkytown" and "Sister Mary Explains it All" and appearances in the television series "18 to Life", "Doc" and "Urban Angel." Jocelyne is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.
Adam Bradley - Consultant
Adam Bradley is a Consultant with The Humphrey Group. He joined the firm in 2010, and provides seminars that engage and inspire participants. In addition to his work with The Humphrey Group, he is an actor, writer, director, and teacher of both acting and voice. Prior to joining The Humphrey Group, Adam worked for a Toronto-based investment bank. He holds a Diploma from the Atlantic Acting Conservatory in New York, as well as an M.A. in Philosophy from the University of British Columbia.
David Ferry - Consultant
David works with the firm's clients as a course leader and seminar instructor. David, who joined the firm in 2007, brings tremendous energy, warmth, and intellect to his teaching. In addition to his work with The Humphrey Group, David is also one of Canada's most respected actors and theatre directors, and has played on and off Broadway. He is also a three-time DORA winner, for acting, directing and design and is a GENIE-nominated film actor.
Maggie Huculak - Consultant
Maggie is a coach, instructor, and voice specialist. Her main focus is the firm's Taking the Stage® program. Maggie has led the firm's seminars for women in Hong Kong, the US, and Mexico. Maggie has been with The Humphrey Group since 2004 and has an acclaimed acting background in theatre, television, radio and film. She earned her B.A. and teaching degree at the University of Saskatchewan.
Kate Lynch - Consultant
Kate provides speech coaching, voice coaching and group seminars to the firm's clients. She is a talented and vibrant instructor, who has been with the firm since 1996. She is also an award winning actress with years of experience in film, television, and on stage. Besides working with The Humphrey Group, Kate also teaches voice and text at the Stratford and Shaw Festivals. She has an honors degree from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England.
Bart Egnal - Senior Vice President and Partner
Bart heads the firm's Vancouver office, where he has developed a talented team and built impressive relationships with a broad array of distinguished clients in western Canada and the US. He designs and delivers customized communications courses for leaders and their teams, and is responsible for leading the firm's growing practice in regulatory communications. He graduated with high distinction from the University of Toronto, earning his Honours B.A. in History.
Brenda Allen - Senior Consultant
Brenda provides one-on-one and group training to the firm's clients while also building relationships globally. Before joining The Humphrey Group, Brenda spent several years helping corporate and government organizations in the areas of strategy, organizational development and communications. Brenda earned her B.A. from Saint Mary's University in psychology and her M.B.A. in Executive Management Consulting from Royal Roads University.
Aram Arslanian - Senior Consultant
Aram is a Senior Consultant with The Humphrey Group's Vancouver office who provides one-to-one coaching and group training, while also building relationships globally. Prior to joining The Humphrey Group Aram spent 10 years working as a Clinical Counsellor in British Columbia's not-for-profit sector. He also founded a successful record label. Aram's performance background - he is an experienced public speaker and musician who has performed internationally makes him uniquely capable of helping clients achieve a confident presence. He has a B.A. in English Literature and Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is in the process of completing his M.A. in Counseling Psychology.
Dan Dumsha - Consultant
Dan is a Senior Consultant with The Humphrey Group, leading seminars, workshops and one-on-one sessions. Dan has been with the firm since 2009. He studied theatre and education at Queen's University and holds a BAH and B.Ed in Drama and English. Dan has performed with theatre companies across Canada. He continues to pursue work in film and television.
Ken Lawson - Consultant
Ken Lawson is a Consultant with The Humphrey Group, leading group training sessions and providing one on one coaching. Ken brings over 15 years of experience as a facilitator and councilor to the firm; he is also an accomplished actor who specializes in improv. Ken has toured with The Second City and continues to perform in Vancouver.
Diana Pavlovská - Consultant
Diana Pavlovská is a Consultant, who provides group training and coaching to clients, with a primary focus on the firm's Taking the Stage® program for women. Based in Vancouver, Diana draws on many years of experience in film, television (where she was nominated for a Gemini) and theatre to help clients achieve a polished, confident presence. Diana studied Drama at the University of Regina, and advanced acting, voice and movement programs in both Canada and the United States. Diana also owns a professional teaching company that continues to train actors across Canada.
Ben Leavenworth - Consultant
As a Senior Consultant (Consultor Sénior) Ben Leavenworth teaches courses and provides coaching in Spanish for The Humphrey Group's clients. Based in Philadelphia, Ben has been delivering exceptional training since 2008, and has built strong relationships with the firm's clients in Mexico and Latin America. In addition to his work with The Humphrey Group Ben is the Honorary Consul of Chile.
Patrick Larrea -
Patrick is a Consultant with The Humphrey Group, and is based in the firm's Vancouver office. Patrick provides group training and one-on-one coaching in English and Spanish. He has delivered programs and built relationships with the firm's clients in North America as well as Mexico and Latin America. Patrick has a BA in Architectural Design and earned his MBA from Simon Fraser University. Prior to joining The Humphrey Group he managed a real estate development and construction firm in Ecuador-South America.
Gregor Jeffrey - Senior Consultant
Based in Calgary, Gregor leads seminars, provides private coaching and builds business relationships in Alberta. With a background in proposal management in the high technology sector, he brings a commitment to clear and persuasive communication to his teaching. Prior to joining The Humphrey Group, Gregor founded a consulting practice in Europe that helped major defence and aerospace contractors identify and win new business in the United Kingdom, France and Spain. He holds an Honours B.A. in History from the University of Calgary.
Jessica Chmilar - Manager of Corporate Services
Jessica Chmilar is The Humphrey Group's Manager of Corporate Services. Based in the firm's Vancouver office, she handles the company finances while also working with management on budgeting, forecasting and tracking. She also is responsible for ensuring the firm has sound business practices in crucial areas such as hiring, onboarding, compensation, and IT. Prior to joining The Humphrey Group Jessica spent 10 years working in the oil and gas sector. She has a BA in Psychology from the University of British Columbia.