Roxanne Sawatzky
Roxanne has successfully managed a 3 year 1.3 million dollar research study for the Provincial and Federal Government with 2400 individuals participating. She is experienced in project management, program development, implementing processes, curriculum writing and best practices development. Roxanne has completed her MA in Leadership, she also holds a certificate in addictions counselling and case management.
While there are many good Motivational Interviewing trainers, membership in the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) is the only status accorded to training professionals. It is acknowledged by the MINT organization and can only be granted through direct train-the-trainer work with the model originators Dr. William R. Miller & Dr. Steve Rollnick. Roxanne went to Spain in June 2009 and as a result of the training she is now a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers.
Roxanne’s passion is working with marginalized individuals. She started her career at the age of 12 when she decided her brother needed to be “fixed”. She has since learnt that she can’t “fix” anyone but she can definitely help people get “unstuck”!
George Sawatzky
George is Part Owner and Manager of Empowering Change Inc., George took his level 1 Motivational Interviewing Training from Dr.’s Miller, Rollnick and Moyers in March of 2010 and his level 2 Training from Steven Berg Smith in October 2010, and has had extensive training with Roxanne Sawatzky.
Earning Honors in Accounting, Business and Financial Math from Success Business College, George joined Empowering Change with nearly two decades of experience in the leadership capacity. Taking on the responsibility of overseeing business’s operations, George currently employs his skill set to specialize in managing the company’s
financial initiatives and contract negotiations.
George is also a member of LinkedIn, Trainers Network Group and was inducted into and
is a member of the black book of Stanford Who’s Who.
Trudy-Lyn Wittig
Trudy has over 20 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of employment counseling in both the private and not for profit sectors. Trudy-Lyn has demonstrated success in program planning, development and implementation. In addition she has a proven record of creativity and innovation in job development, job coaching, workshop facilitation and counselling.
Trudy-Lyn has worked with both youth, adults and the older worker. She has found particular self satisfaction in working with youth with learning disabilities and/or behavioural issues as well as with older workers displaced by plant closures. Her dedication to empowering others to reach their full potential has been evident in her work as an employment consultant as well as in her work as a coach on the soccer pitch.
Trudy-Lyn lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband, 3 sons and menagerie of pets! Trudy-Lyn has a passion for the outdoors and actively participates in a variety of outdoor pursuits such as alpine skiing, golf, cycling, swimming, gardening, hiking and camping. When not in the great outdoors you can find Trudy-Lyn working with her pup (Lexi) in obedience training or playing squash at the local fitness club.
Patti Phillips
Patti is a counsellor, life coach, and experiential educator. She has 20 years of experience providing support to people who are facing personal challenges and working co-creatively with the client to explore positive and meaningful life changes. Outcome focused with an emphasis on the development of measurable objectives for clients to meet their own personal goals, Patti is proficient in asking powerful questions to draw from the client the knowledge and motivation within to move towards their desired future.
The population that Patti has found the most fulfilling to work with is youth who have been marginalized by society. For ten years she worked at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM), using Motivational Interviewing techniques and implementing the strategies of the Stages of Change Model to support youth who may or may not have been considering making changes regarding their drug using behaviour.
In addition to being a facilitator with Empowering Change, Patti operates her own business called Explore Life Coaching and is a Certified Life Adventure Coach. Life coaching is very consistent with Motivational Interviewing and focuses on what the client wants by providing a supportive relationship between a coach and a client. It is based on the client’s expressed interests, goals, and objectives. In general, coaching works because of the fundamental belief held by coaches that all people are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole and have the capacity to lead the life that they desire.
Andy Lacroix
As an active member of Toastmasters International. Andy Lacroix has developed strong leadership, communication, and presentation skills. He enjoys travelling, photography, and storytelling but is most passionate about personal development. He is an avid reader of numerous leadership, goal achievement, and life skills self-help books, and applies what he has learned in his thought provoking workshops and inspiring keynote presentations. A recurring message throughout his programs is that “things happen for a reason”.
Andy teaches audiences how to ask the right life questions, make good life decisions, and turn negatives into life changing positives. Andy inspires audiences to live their best lives and become their best selves!
Sylvia Magyar Brambilla
Sylvia is a dynamic coach and facilitator with over 20 years of experience motivating and leading others to achieve success in their careers.
Her career has provided her with experience in the fields of health care, corrections and sales and marketing. Her unique experience as a manager in both public and private sector, unionized and non-unionized settings has developed a diverse perspective on building strong teams while allowing the individual to flourish.
Sylvia is currently moving her consulting focus to work closer to her core values. She is working to supply the skills, experience and expertise to others so they may work
safely and effectively with clients who are experiencing social and or
psychological challenges in the community or institution.
Roxanne’s vision is to see service providers across Canada use Stages of Change and Motivational Interviewing with all demographics. She and her team bring a wealth of experience, creativity and humor to all they work with