Renée Safrata
CEO and Founder
Over the past 30+ years Renée has worked with thousands of companies and executives throughout North America and Europe, helping them to connect, adopt new behaviors, and become confident members of highly functioning teams. Human-connection and talent development are at the core of everything Renée touches. From one-on-one and team training, to speaking engagements, she clearly demonstrates how this philosophy of connection is what ultimately drives productivity and directly contributes to company results.
After a successful career in interior design, Renée shifted to consulting where she helped CEOs, executive management, and entrepreneurs build focused and results-oriented teams. Recognizing the ongoing shift and future demand for digital workplace learning, she began researching and analyzing the market to develop the business plan for building out Vivo Team’s analytics and platform. She now has over 10 years experience leading a remote team and creating and delivering educating, entertaining, and unique virtual learning experiences.
Dr. Jim Sellner
EVP, People Analytics & Talent Activation, Trainer/Team Facilitator, Executive Coach/Mentor
Dr. Jim’s core purpose is to bring out the genius in you. With over 40 years experience working with and training countless business leaders and entrepreneurs, his no-nonsense approach and ability to keep things simple inspires changes in behaviors that yield significantly better results. As EVP, People Analytics & Talent Activation at Vivo Team, Dr. Jim’s team holds multiple gold awards from the internationally renowned Brandon Hall Group. A respected leader, author, and speaker known for his innovation in people analytics in L&D, he has published many articles and eBooks including “Leadership for Einsteins: How Smart Leaders Bring Out the Genius in People” and “Account-Ability: The Science of Human Performance.”
Having first trained and worked as a city planner, Jim later joined the faculty at the University of British Columbia where he went on to obtain an MA and PhD in psychology. His unique psychological/behavioral perspective provides Vivo Team with a solid, practical philosophy.
Erin Berube
VP Operations
From the beginning, Erin helped lay the foundation for Vivo Team’s exceptional reputation with her unique blend of tactical and strategic vision and organizational excellence. Her ability to bring order and calm to dynamic teams and projects while creating an environment of success is her specialty. Erin’s contributions to Vivo Team include leading and developing an inclusive and innovative culture, managing the day-to-day business operations, and holding team members accountable to high-level efficiencies and productivity.
Erin’s extensive experience in operations and management stems from her award-winning career in television where she spent fifteen years managing multiple productions and diverse teams, all the while working under heavy pressure and tight deadlines. During this time, she also excelled in the emerging digital and social media industry as a social media producer and digital project manager before starting her own social media company.
Lynn Redmond
Director of Marketing
Solution-focused and action-oriented, Lynn is an efficiency expert who balances analysis and imagination with ease. First cutting her teeth as a graphic designer in 2003, she worked her way through agency life gaining experience in several disciplines before honing in on a career in marketing. At Vivo Team, her multifaceted skill set covers content and brand strategy, traditional and digital marketing, creative direction, copywriting, user experience, and project management.
Lynn has shared her marketing and design expertise as a mentor to numerous students and interns as well as through speaking engagements hosted by Nova Scotia Business Inc. and Able Sense. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree (1999) from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, she also completed three Creative and Digital Media diplomas from Nova Scotia Community College (2000-2003). In her spare time, Lynn is the director of the Dartmouth & District Pipe Band School and plays bagpipes.
Tee Komsa
Manager of Client Experience & Product Delivery
Fueled by her passion for organization and leadership, Tee strives to build trusted relationships with clients through her keen attention to detail, outgoing personality, and genuine excitement to help companies achieve their goals. Tee’s contributions to Vivo Team include leading the Customer Success Team, maintaining content libraries, and creating operational workflows.
An enthusiastic individual with the gift of gab, Tee hails from Sault Ste. Marie where she received an undergraduate degree in English Literature, minoring in Law and Justice, from Algoma University. She later relocated to Toronto to pursue and develop her career goals, gaining professional experience in operations, sales and social media. A retired professional dancer, Tee is passionate about being active and enjoys working alongside Flash, her Mini Australian Shepherd and office assistant.
Peter Krammer
Director of Business Development, US
Senior Partner of Okos Partners, Peter Krammer is Vivo Team's US representative. Peter manages the business, directs its strategy, and consults with a wide range of clients in multiple industries.
Peter leads and designs capability-building projects that include: leadership development; management and team alignment and engagement; business and go-to-market strategy and planning; and sales management.
Through this work, Peter has gained a strong working knowledge of myriad industries such as: construction, utilities, manufacturing, engineering, staffing, insurance, business services, healthcare, consumer products, agriculture, computer hardware and software, music, and film.
Peter resides in Napa, California and is active in programs focused on improving local community homeless and mental health services.
Jennifer van Amerom
Business Development, Eastern Canada
Throughout her 16+ year career in the recruitment industry, Jennifer has long recognized that organizations, regardless of size, have hired, workforce planned, and developed their talent retention strategies from a reactive position. Now as VP, Revenue Operations, Jennifer passionately believes that Vivo Team’s behavioral analytics is that first proactive step, the missing link organizations need to better understand their employees, teams, and company culture.
Jennifer has a multitude of experience working with top tier clients across various industries throughout North America, and her consulting firm, Refine Management, was a dedicated referral partner to Vivo Team for many years. She is also an advocate and public speaker on Diversity & Inclusion (D&I), supplier diversity, on behalf of International Experienced Professionals (IEPs), under-represented women, is a Patient Ambassador with a NFP, and a part-time Professor on Performance Management with George Brown College in their School of HR.
Lila Day
Account Executive
An outgoing and passionate individual who values the importance of strong, trusting, and honest relationships, Lila supports Vivo Team as the company’s Account Executive.
With an extensive financial background stemming from over a decade of work with Scotiabank, Lila hails from Southern Ontario where her foray into cultivating meaningful relationships began early on, working in the hospitality industry, coordinating events and managing restaurants.
Lila currently resides in Metro Vancouver where she and her partner are raising her 9 year old step-daughter. In her free moments she enjoys playing softball, golf, and snowboarding. As an active member of her community, Lila regularly volunteers, attends events, and is a member of multiple chambers of commerce.
Jaredd Burandt
Sales Development Representative
Team-centric with strong leadership qualities, Jaredd is a highly organized individual who aims to go above and beyond for his team and his clients. Jaredd’s prior experience included a rich and fulfilling career as a Sous Chef for one of Canada’s largest Casual Fine Dining Establishments making him a “Swiss Army Knife” within Vivo Team.
Jaredd’s passion for team-building and leadership is what attracted him to Vivo Team. With his Diploma in Business Management, alongside his nearly completed BBA in Business Administration, Jaredd is a strong addition to our Sales team now and in the years to come.
Josh Holloway
Sales Development Representative
A strong communicator with an innate ability to lead, Josh brings a diverse professional background to Vivo Team. With experience in door-to-door sales, as a sales development rep and account executive as well as a sous chef, he prides himself in his ability to work well on a team and maintain strong client relationships.
Josh is currently completing his Diploma in Business Management at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), and holds a Certificate in Data Analysis from Lighthouse Labs.
Outside of work Josh enjoys snowboarding, listening to educational audiobooks, hiking, and traveling.
Rebeka Swayne
Sales Development Representative
Fuelled by the reward of connecting people to practical solutions, Rebeka is a solution-centric problem solver. An optimistic and enthusiastic professional with over 10 years of experience in the financial and hospitality industries, she attributes her success to her ability to listen to customers and put their needs first.
A natural creative, in her free time Rebeka can be found in her studio painting and creating multi-medium art.
Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Rebeka is a wife to a first responder, a mother, and an avid volunteer supporting community organizations working with vulnerable populations.
Johnny Okito
Senior Software Developer
Belgium-born, Johnny (Jean-André) is fluent in three languages: English, French, and Lingala. His passion for exploring new cultures has led him around the world–living in Brussels, Kinshasa, Cape Town, Montreal, and most recently, Toronto.
With a passion for PHP and a diverse background, Johnny is a talented full-stack developer and leader who has built applications in large and small businesses alike. He is an enthusiastic mentor and wants to build technology that makes the world a better place. He is excited to contribute his talents to Vivo Team and believes his key skill as a developer is as a translator.
Prior to working as a web developer and programmer, Johnny was a mathematician–achieving his Bachelor in Applied Mathematics with a Minor in Computer Science from the University of Kinshasa, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Mathematics from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences.
When asked about his greatest achievement, the team player and tennis fanatic, who never takes himself too seriously says his two beautiful boys trump all else!
Darren Singh
Junior Software Developer
A curious and enthusiastic developer, Darren loves the challenge of a good problem. He combines his passion for technology and deep need of understanding to craft creative and effective software solutions.
Prior to joining Vivo Team, during COVID-19, Darren played a role in developing and maintaining software at TechServe; a non-profit organization with the goal of connecting digitally savvy volunteers with older adults to provide technical help to improve their everyday lives.
With a Diploma in Computing Studies and Information Systems, Darren has a thorough foundation in designing and developing computer software, alongside a broad focus of other computing studies.
Fortunate Douglas
Client Experience Coordinator
Personable and outgoing with a keen eye for detail, Fortunate is driven by all things aesthetically pleasing. Her passion for building genuine connections coupled with her interest in the creative and cultural arts has led her to developing a personal service business, where she produces & directs content in partnership with Toronto artists.
An interdisciplinary, both creatively and academically, Fortunate is currently pursuing a double Bachelors degree in Biology and Psychology at York University. Fueled by her love of collaboration, her frame of thinking allows her to thrive and evolve in various team settings.
With an innate desire to give back, Fortunate volunteers with Lets Talk Science—mentoring youth in their scientific endeavours and was previously a York University UNICEF ambassador. As Client Experience Coordinator, Fortunate is ready to cultivate relationships, solve challenges, and learn new skills to add to her toolbox.
Facilitators and Executive Coaches
David Yudis
PsyD, MBA – Executive Coach
David is a relentless builder of the personal bridge that connects high potential leaders to outcomes that exceed every expectation. He has a depth of experience working closely with global, senior executives to build the skills that inspire others to align and win during challenging times. He is nimble—identifying areas of individual, team, and organizational need while leveraging existing strengths to achieve results. He is an expert in working with leaders in the areas of interpersonal communication, executive branding, and organizational culture and dynamics to bring about change. He is also a master facilitator—designing processes and delivering programs in strategy, innovation, and succession planning. David’s talent development is grounded in his experience as a senior human resources executive and management consultant in a variety of organizations and settings. He combines both art and science in his approach to problems. He has worked extensively as a global advisor to senior management of highly competitive organizations that range from small cap to large multinational corporations comprised of thousands of employees. It has been said that “education” sets us free. David Yudis has used education to bring freedom to others' lives. He never stops because he believes that all of us are responsible; that all of us have the power to create the lives that our hearts and minds desire most.
Petra Mayer
Trainer, Team Facilitator, Executive Coach | Bilingual (English, German)
Petra started as a Trainer and Executive Coach with Vivo Team Development in 2016. Her wealth of experience stems from 30+ years in corporations of all sizes. As a certified professional coach and consultant in the eLearning space she adds valuable insights to our team.
Her expertise as a facilitator of multi-national groups across multiple organizations stems from her position with the oneworld airline alliance. Since starting her practice she has worked with numerous companies of various sizes on Business and Digital Strategy and eLearning.
Petra serves our corporate clients on all levels of the organization as a Leadership and Team Trainer and Executive Coach, holding them to account in a direct, yet respectful way.
Petra is fluent in German and English. She has lived and worked in four countries on three continents and holds a degree in business from Hochschule München (1992), a Global Executive MBA (2001) from Lancaster University and is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC, 2013) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver.
Hsuan-Hua Chang
PCC, MBA, MSCS – Executive Coach
Hsuan-Hua Chang is a Certified Leadership Coach with an extensive tech and people development background.
Hsuan-Hua’s mission is to leverage technologies and develop leaders to make our world a better place. Using a variety of assessment tools and coaching models, she supports leaders to become their best and create extraordinary results with their team.
As a visionary leader, her coaching focuses on agile leadership, executive presence, professional career development, personal vertical development & emotional intelligence.
Hsuan-Hua’s professional career spans over 30 years working at Data I/O, Motorola, and AT&T.
Torie Lamon
Executive Coach
Torie is a project manager turned certified executive coach. Her passion is to empower individuals and organizations to define and achieve goals. By combining her business acumen, extensive project management background, change management knowledge and advanced coaching skills, Torie brings a unique approach to coaching.
She is compassionately direct in her approach to foster progress towards goals. She believes that all individuals have big goals and the capacity to achieve them; Torie will help facilitate the journey.
Torie completed her undergraduate degree at Acadia university in Sociology and Psychology. She is a certified Project Management Professional as well as holds her Canadian Securities Courses. As a life-long learner, Torie recently completed a masters level certificate from Royal Roads University in Executive Coaching and is preparing for the International Coaching Federation ACC certification exam.
Torie lives and plays in Vancouver and as an ultra-marathoner, you will often find Torie running in the mountains with friends!
Corey Wittig
Executive Coach
Corey spent the last 30 years leading teams in a group of Canada's largest casual fine dining concepts. During that time he had a strong focus on building teams and leadership at all levels in the organization.
His core background in managing operations of all sizes and driving strategic growth with leaders and partners in a quick growth company gives him insight into the challenges and difficulties that reside in operations and execution.
During his time with these organizations he has participated in programs from UBC, SFU, and Harvard with a focus on Leadership and excellence in execution.
Corey has 25 years of one-on-one coaching experience with leaders and managers. His approach is a direct, clear and open style with a focus on the outcome and accountability.
He has a passion for learning and sharing acquired knowledge with the teams he works with. As an accomplished chef and Coffee expert he has a love of food, coffee and wine history and culture.
He resides on the west coast of Canada with his wife and daughter, has a strong love of the outdoors, and enjoys spending time in the beauty of the coast.