By Roselyn Himann, CEO,
Vanterra Human Resources
I’ve spent more than 25 years helping organizations navigate change.
Some projects involved supporting a single executive through an unexpected career transition. Others required coordinating large-scale workforce reductions involving hundreds of employees across multiple locations.
One of the largest involved more than 350 employees over the course of a single week.
At the time, I was leading career transition services for another organization. My role was to develop the workforce transition strategy, prepare a team of more than 40 career coaches, work alongside HR leadership and ensure every affected employee received immediate support following their notification.
Looking back, it’s not the sheer number of employees that stands out.
What sticks with me, even now, is what the experience taught me about leadership.
Workforce transition starts long before notification day.
The most successful workforce transitions I’ve supported have all shared one thing in common… preparation.
When sound people practices are carefully considered and carried out with purpose, notification day is merely the first point at which months of thoughtful planning become visible.
The idea that outplacement begins only after an employee receives difficult news is both outdated and incomplete.
Long before the first conversation takes place, HR leaders are developing communication plans, preparing managers, anticipating employee questions and considering how people will experience one of the most difficult days of their careers.
Our role is to support that preparation and help ensure every conversation is thoughtful, consistent and respectful.
Managers need support too.
We spend a great deal of time talking about employees, and rightly so.
But managers often carry an enormous emotional burden during workforce reductions.
They’re expected to deliver difficult news while remaining composed, answering questions they may not yet have answers to and supporting the colleagues who remain.
In my experience, it is often manager preparation that is one of the most overlooked aspects of workforce transition.
Clear messaging, practical coaching, and the opportunity to ask difficult questions beforehand can make an enormous difference, both for the manager and the employee sitting across from them.
HR should never have to carry the weight alone.
One of the lessons that has stayed with me throughout my career is that HR professionals are often the people supporting everyone else while receiving very little support themselves.
During major workforce transitions, they’re balancing logistics, leadership expectations, legal considerations and genuine concern for their colleagues.
In my previous leadership roles, one practice became especially meaningful.
After notification days, we would check in with the HR professionals who had led the process. Sometimes it was a conversation. Sometimes it was simply a text asking how they were doing.
It was a small gesture, but an important reminder that the people leading change also deserve care.
That philosophy continues to shape the way we’ve built Vanterra.
Scale should never change the experience.
Over the years, I’ve supported workforce transitions involving one employee, twenty employees, sixty employees and hundreds of employees.
The size of the project changes.
Our philosophy doesn’t.
Whether someone is the only individual affected or one of hundreds, they’re experiencing a deeply personal moment. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity, professionalism and compassion.
I’ve often thought about the story of the child throwing starfish back into the ocean…
Someone asks, “How can it possibly matter? There are thousands.”
The child throws one more back and replies, “It mattered to that one.”
That’s how I’ve always approached career transition.
Every conversation matters because every person matters.
The real measure of success
People often ask how I define a successful workforce transition.
It isn’t how quickly the notifications are completed.
It isn’t how many career coaches are involved.
It isn’t even how many people find their next opportunity, although that’s incredibly important.
Success is measured by how people remember being were treated.
When employees leave feeling respected, when managers feel prepared and when HR leaders know they weren’t carrying the responsibility alone, organizations protect more than their reputation.
They protect their culture.
That’s a lesson I’ve carried with me throughout my career, and it’s one of the principles on which Vanterra was built.
The experiences shared in this article are drawn from leadership roles held throughout CEO Roselyn Himann’s career and continue to shape the approach Vanterra takes with clients at Vanterra today.
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.