WHo We Are

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

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 Ph.D. 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.

Jaredd Burandt

Account Executive

Fueled by innovation and a passion for leadership, Jaredd is a highly organized and enthusiastic Account Executive who continually exceeds the expectations of his clients and team. He is a clear and prompt communicator, a master conversationalist, and has a genuine gift for connecting with people. Everyday, he instinctually harnesses the power of technology and has built in automations—from scratch—to increase efficiencies on the sales team.

Jaredd’s prior experience included an impressive career as a Sous Chef where he discovered his passion for people while leading a team of exceptional cooks. As well as a diploma in Business Management, Jaredd continues to learn and develop new skills and certifications. In his free time, you can catch Jaredd at the gym, playing piano, or building his project car.

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.

Darren Singh

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, 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.