By Roselyn Himann, CEO,
Vanterra Human Resources
Every organization works hard to build a reputation as an employer of choice.
It invests in attracting talented people, developing leaders, creating a positive workplace culture, and building trust with employees, clients, and the community.
Yet reputation isn’t defined only by the opportunities an organization creates. It is often shaped by how it responds during its most difficult moments.
A restructuring. A workforce reduction. A difficult conversation with a valued employee.
How an organization supports people through these moments says as much about its values as anything written in a mission statement. Employees remember. The people who remain are watching. Future candidates ask questions. Clients notice. In today’s connected world, one difficult day can influence how your organization is perceived for years to come.
That’s why thoughtful career transition and outplacement have become essential components of responsible leadership. They demonstrate that even when difficult business decisions must be made, people continue to be treated with dignity, respect, and genuine care.
Your Last Conversation Matters as Much as Your First
Organizations invest significant time creating a positive employee experience…
Yet one of the most important moments in the employee journey is often the one that receives the least attention. How someone leaves your organization will influence how they speak about your company for years to come. A respectful, well-supported transition demonstrates that your values extend beyond employment.
It tells employees, clients, and future candidates that your organization cares about people, even when difficult decisions must be made.
Outplacement Protects More Than Departing Employees
Many organizations think of outplacement as a service for the individuals leaving, and it certainly is. Though, its impact reaches much further.
Thoughtful career transition support helps reduce uncertainty and anxiety during one of life’s most stressful events. It gives individuals practical tools, experienced coaching, and a clear path forward when they need it most.
Also important to note, is that it reassures your employees who remain.
When people see colleagues treated with dignity and respect, trust in leadership is strengthened. Morale recovers more quickly, and confidence in the organization is preserved.
In many ways, outplacement is as much about supporting your remaining workforce as it is about supporting those who are departing.
Career Transition Has Changed
The job market today looks very different than it did even five years ago. Artificial intelligence is changing how candidates search for work, recruiters increasingly rely on LinkedIn and digital profiles before reviewing resumes, and networking has become more important than ever.
Many professionals are exploring consulting, portfolio careers, entrepreneurship, or entirely new industries rather than searching for a similar role.
Effective career transition must reflect today’s realities, and that’s why modern outplacement is no longer just resume writing.
It’s strategic coaching designed to help individuals clarify what’s next, strengthen their personal brand, navigate new technologies, prepare for interviews, build confidence, and create momentum toward meaningful employment.
Every Transition Is Different
No two employees have the same goals.
A senior executive preparing for the next leadership opportunity requires different support than someone entering the workforce for the first time.
An engineer exploring consulting has different needs than a manager considering retirement.
That’s why personalized coaching matters.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all program, career transition should adapt to the individual, providing the right combination of coaching, learning, digital tools, workshops, networking support, and practical guidance to meet them where they are.
Supporting HR Through Difficult Moments
Layoffs and restructuring are challenging for HR professionals, too.
They’re responsible for balancing organizational needs with compassion, often while supporting leaders, managing communications, answering employee questions, and maintaining business continuity.
Partnering with an experienced outplacement provider allows HR teams to focus on leading the organization while knowing departing employees are receiving thoughtful, professional support.
It also provides confidence that difficult conversations are being handled with care, consistency, and respect.
Helping People Move Forward with Confidence
At Vanterra, we believe every career transition deserves expertise, empathy, and practical support.
Our high-touch outplacement programs combine one-to-one coaching, career strategy, resume and LinkedIn development, interview preparation, AI-powered job search tools, workshops, networking opportunities, and ongoing support tailored to each individual’s goals. We also understand that career success looks different for everyone.
Some people pursue a new role in their field, while others explore consulting, entrepreneurship, portfolio careers, or retirement planning as they define what’s next. These personalized, human-centred programs are designed to help individuals regain confidence and build momentum while enabling organizations to lead workforce change with integrity and compassion.
Because how your people leave your organization says just as much about your culture as how they joined it.
And when you support people well through change, everyone moves forward with greater confidence.
Hayley York brings a rich blend of academic advising, career coaching, and corporate leadership experience to every client interaction. She began her career in the energy sector and worked her way up to Manager of Health, Safety, and Regulatory before launching her own coaching business in 2024.
Hayley has delivered international seminars, including a session at Oxford on cultural sensitivity. She is known for her deep presence, humour, and insight. Her coaching style is intuitive and practical, shaped by both her corporate journey and her own lived experiences, including overcoming cancer.
She quickly builds trust and tailors her approach to meet each client exactly where they are, helping them navigate transitions with clarity and confidence. Hayley believes coaching is a privilege, and her clients describe her as articulate, compassionate, and fiercely loyal.
Outside of work, she’s a proud ’90s grunge fan, foodie, and traveller—most at home in Madrid, whiskey sour in hand.
Norm Volk is a connector at heart, someone who thrives on helping people grow, collaborate, and succeed. With a background that spans forestry, information technology, and human resources, he brings a unique cross-sector lens to his work. Norm has partnered with landowners, Indigenous communities, and organizations through times of change, always bringing calm, curiosity, and clarity.
At Vanterra, Norm supports clients navigating career transition and organizational change, drawing on his broad professional experience to guide people through complex moments with confidence. He also works closely with northern Alberta Indigenous communities to help preserve traditional land use knowledge, bridging cultural understanding with respectful collaboration.
Whether mentoring a team, building community relationships, or coaching one-on-one, Norm brings practical insight, grounded presence, and a commitment to growth. He holds an MBA and diplomas in Forestry and Information Technology.
Outside of work, Norm is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys biking, skiing, snowboarding, and travelling with his family.
Jill Rehman is passionate about helping professionals navigate what’s next. As a career coach, she supports clients through pivotal transitions with a calm, strategic approach that blends clarity, encouragement, and results. Drawing on her background as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and finance executive, Jill understands the nuance of high-stakes decisions, and the courage it takes to make a bold career move.
Her coaching style is thoughtful, honest, and always tailored to the individual. Whether clients are exploring new career paths, repositioning after a pause, or seeking more purpose in their work, Jill meets them where they are and moves forward with structured assessments, goal setting, and manageable steps that build momentum.
Known for her sharp insight and warm, practical perspective, Jill creates a space where people feel supported and empowered. She finds joy in the moment when clarity strikes, and clients begin to see what’s possible.
Dwayne Klassen helps high-performing men reclaim confidence, connection, and clarity when life behind the scenes starts to unravel. With a powerful story of personal reinvention, Dwayne brings lived experience, direct coaching, and proven frameworks to guide men through career upheaval, relationship breakdowns, and major transitions.
Known for his bold yet compassionate approach, Dwayne offers a judgment-free space for leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs to get real, without ego, pretense, or therapy-speak.
At Vanterra, Dwayne delivers confidential 1:1 coaching to support growth, accountability, and next-level transformation.Whether reigniting drive, rebuilding relationships, or redefining success, Dwayne’s mission is to help men stop pretending and start leading with strength, purpose, and authenticity.
Sherrill Johnson brings a frank, conversational approach to career coaching, combining technical insight, facilitation expertise, and a deep curiosity about people and their paths. She helps clients clarify priorities, navigate transitions, and build careers that align with who they are and where they want to go.
With a background in applied research, stakeholder engagement, and complex multi-stakeholder leadership, Sherrill offers a systems-savvy perspective grounded in real-world experience. Before becoming a coach, she held strategic roles in large public-sector organizations and led learning and development programs across higher education and non-profit sectors.
She holds degrees in economics and geography, along with extensive training in professional development and coaching, which inform her holistic, practical approach. Known for her insight and authenticity, Sherrill creates space for meaningful reflection and forward momentum.
Outside of work, she’s a long-time volunteer, urban adventurer, and craft beer enthusiast always on the lookout for her next neighbourhood discovery.
Cari Frame helps professionals navigate career transition with clarity, courage, and self-compassion. Whether her clients are pivoting to a new industry, re-entering the workforce, or redefining success on their own terms, Cari offers the structure, tools, and emotional support to move forward with confidence.
As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with more than 1,000 hours of coaching experience, Cari blends real-world strategy with deep personal insight. Her approach is grounded in neuroscience, career development, and holistic wellbeing, ensuring clients feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive through change.
She brings a diverse background in public speaking, entrepreneurship, and communication, along with lived experience navigating her own career reinventions. Her clients value her ability to bring both focus and kindness to the tough moments of transition.
Outside of coaching, Cari is a curious adventurer who finds joy in waffles, snorkeling, cycling, and exploring the human spirit—always with purpose and heart.
With over 17 years of experience and a Master’s in Cognitive Sociology, Sophie Bonneau is a certified leadership coach who helps executives and organizations navigate personal and professional transformation. Her calm, grounded presence supports deep growth, whether she’s coaching senior leaders or mentoring aspiring coaches.
Sophie brings deep expertise in leadership development, emotional intelligence, and strategic transformation. At Vanterra, she delivers coaching and facilitation that helps leaders navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. Her approach blends evidence-based frameworks with practical insight, empowering clients to lead with authenticity, build resilient teams, and create meaningful impact in their organizations.
She has coached leaders in Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, and public organizations, helping them build presence, empower teams, and lead with clarity and courage. Sophie also facilitates leadership training programs that guide professionals toward coaching mastery.
When she’s not working, Sophie is outdoors with her family, sharing ideas with colleagues, or simply recharging on the trails. Her coaching reflects her belief that transformation starts with self-awareness and courageous action.
Tracy Stephen is a seasoned HR leader and career coach with more than 15 years of experience guiding people and organizations through growth, transition, and change. With a background spanning insurance, energy, real estate, and hospitality, she brings grounded, strategic insight to every engagement.
Tracy held senior roles at Sovereign Insurance and Brookfield Residential before
becoming an expert HR consultant. Her focus now is supporting small and mid-sized businesses with leadership development, HR transformation, and culture-building initiatives.
Known for her clarity, candor, and care, Tracy is a certified facilitator and coach who excels at cutting through complexity and building trust. Her clients describe her as kind yet direct—a coach who brings heart to the tough stuff.
Outside of work, she’s a proud stepmom and auntie, often found travelling, enjoying Pinot Grigio, or exploring Italy. She leads with integrity and believes that the best work begins when people feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Janelle Harder is a strategic HR consultant and leadership coach who helps organizations transform how they lead, grow, and succeed. With nearly 15 years of experience, much of it in Fortune 500 companies, she partners with executives to build high-performing teams, shape culture, and drive change.
Janelle’s approach is grounded in behavioural science, leadership development, and real-world experience. She has designed and delivered people strategies across sectors including oil & gas, manufacturing, and non-profits—always with an eye on aligning people and purpose.
She’s especially skilled at navigating complexity: leading change, supporting nuanced team dynamics, and inspiring leaders to foster innovation, trust, and clarity. Prior to Vanterra, she held roles in operational excellence, HR partnerships, and global leadership coaching.
Janelle holds an MBA and a BA in Psychology, along with certifications in MBTI, PROSCI change management, and yoga instruction. She’s lived and studied abroad in Japan, Croatia, and Spain—and finds joy in travel, movement, and meaningful conversations.
Tanya Dickison is a creative and analytical HR leader with nearly 20 years of experience supporting people and performance in the oil and gas sector. Her career has spanned multiple countries and roles, giving her a global perspective and deep expertise across the full spectrum of HR disciplines.
Known for her ability to align HR strategy with business goals, Tanya designs solutions that are both data-driven and tailored to real-world needs. She partners with leaders to unlock potential, drive results, and foster cultures where people thrive.
At Vanterra, Tanya brings her signature mix of creativity, rigour, and empathy to every engagement—whether coaching leaders, reimagining talent programs, or guiding teams through complex change.
Tanya holds the CPHR, CTMP, and BGS designations. Her work is grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and the belief that HR should be a catalyst for growth—for both people and the business.
Carey Con brings a practical, collaborative approach to HR consulting, shaped by more than 25 years of experience supporting people and organizations through growth and change. With a background in the energy, environmental, and technology sectors, Carey is skilled at navigating evolving business needs and building solutions that work in the real world.
He began his HR career at a Calgary-based consulting firm and went on to lead strategic HR initiatives across Canada and the U.S., working alongside executives, leaders, and frontline teams. Carey is known for his active listening, calm presence, and ability to partner closely with clients to create simple, effective people strategies.
He thrives in high-integrity, team-first environments where relationships matter and outcomes are shared. Outside of work, Carey enjoys cooking, tackling small home projects, and chasing a fifth hole-in-one on the golf course.
Gary Care helps organizations build stronger, more connected teams where people feel valued, supported, and ready to deliver results. With 30 years of leadership experience in the telecommunications, energy, and education sectors, he brings both strategic vision and a calming, human touch to every project.
Known as a consensus-builder and mentor, Gary is passionate about creating environments where people thrive. He takes pride in helping individuals recognize their own value — especially during times of change — and is deeply invested in lifting the people around him. His ability to inspire, steady, and support teams has made him a trusted partner to executives, boards, and front-line leaders alike.
Gary’s approach is grounded in lived experience, including navigating multiple corporate restructurings. He brings empathy and optimism to the process of personal and organizational transformation.
Outside of work, Gary enjoys skiing, hiking, and travelling with his family, always keen to explore new landscapes, cultures, and cuisines.
Erika Borgersen is an HR leader who brings people, passion, and purpose together to drive results. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in building people strategies that unlock potential, strengthen culture, and align with business goals.
Erika has designed and led talent, engagement, and succession initiatives, guided change and organizational design efforts, and built strong executive partnerships rooted in trust. Her approach is both strategic and human-centred, always focused on creating sustainable value while fostering inclusive, high-performing workplaces.
She is known for her ability to connect insight with action, helping leaders make smarter decisions and build people-first organizations that thrive through change. As a senior HR professional and board member, Erika brings a wide-angle view to every project and a grounded ability to drive transformation.
Outside of work, she’s a lifelong learner who values collaboration, candour, and continuous growth.
Roselyn Himann is the founder and CEO of Vanterra Human Resources, where she leads with strategic vision, bold energy, and a deep belief in human potential. With over 25 years of experience spanning six continents, Roselyn has shaped people-first strategies for startups, small businesses, and global industries alike.
She is known for her ability to align business goals with human outcomes, building teams, cultures, and solutions that drive real impact. Her career blends business development, HR innovation, and operational insight, and includes founding the non-profit Energy For All to support remote and Indigenous communities.
From writing her first employee manual at 20 to growing Vanterra into a trusted partner for purpose-driven organizations, Roselyn’s leadership is rooted in inclusion, clarity, and action. She helps people and companies thrive, on purpose.
Outside of work, she travels, explores nature, and uplifts others every chance she gets.