Meet The CCA Family
Our Mission & People
Meet the team and see our passion for coaching! Join us in our mission to change the world, one conversation at a time.
Founder Coach Academy | CEO
Nathalie Blais, MCC
Nathalie, Founder of Coach Academy, is passionate about crafting experiential programs that challenge assumptions and promote significant personal and professional growth.
Driven by a strong belief in coaching’s transformative power, she is a pivotal force reshaping how coaching is perceived and practiced. With a Master’s degree in Psychology from Harvard University and credentials as an ICF Master Certified Coach, Nathalie is on a mission to elevate coaching to the status of other regulated professions.
As a center of excellence for coaching, Nathalie is dedicated to building a global, exclusive community for professional coaches seeking to amplify their impact through connections and collaborations with the best Coaches in the world.
Meet Canada Coach Academy
The Best Part About Us Is Our Team
Kelly Wood, PCC
Learning Leader & Mentor Coach
Kelly Wood is a strengths and solutions-based life design coach and facilitator. She designs experiences for individuals and teams that inspire, create and explore with outcomes of empowerment, awareness, awakenings and forward movement. Her corporate clients have included Mount Royal University, University of Alberta, SoulFood, Campus Alberta Neuroscience, Ghost River Theatre, as well as Whitehorse’s Heart of Riverdale Community Centre. She has worked as faculty for Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity’s Leadership Institute.
Education:
- Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies: Organization Coaching
- Graduate Certificate from Royal Roads University in Advanced Coaching Practices
- Certified in Core Strengths, Emotional
- Intelligence 2.0 Certified Facilitator
Cate Baio, PCC
Learning Leader & Mentor Coach
Cate is a Professional Certified Coach with ICF, a Certified Deep Transformational Coach, Certified Mentor Coach, and a Certified Coach Supervisor with a passion for the journey of transformation. She supports individuals, leaders and teams to answer the question, “Who do I want to BE?” and “How do I want to SHOW UP?”
She started out in the fitness industry as an instructor, educator and supervisor, managing a large team of fitness professionals. She soon found her way to coaching, following a deeper KNOWING of how she was being called to serve others.
In addition to her coaching certifications, Cate is a Certified Daring Way™ and Dare to Lead™ Facilitator who works with individuals and groups to integrate the research and curriculum designed by Dr. Brené Brown. She is humbled to walk with her clients as they lean into the transformational process and she honours what a vulnerable and courageous process it is. She leans into her core values of connection and growth as she creates an environment that is full of discovery while nurturing one’s inner wisdom.
Penny Kaplan, MCC
Learning Leader & Mentor Coach
Penny is a seasoned executive and career coach with over 30 years of experience across both profit and not-for-profit sectors, specializing in coaching women navigating significant life transitions. Holding a ICF MCC credential and certifications as an Executive Coach, Mentor Coach, ACC/PCC Assessor, Professional Career Coach, Interview Coach, and Sex, Love, and Relationship Coach, Penny brings a wealth of expertise to her clients. Her international practice spans the USA, Canada, Europe, Thailand, and New Zealand, where she partners with women to reclaim their radiance and magnetism. In the USA, Penny also serves a diverse clientele, including professionals and students specializing in tech programs such as Cybersecurity, IT, and Electronic Health Records.
Penny’s journey from a career in the arts and cultural sectors to a dedicated focus on human development was inspired by her own life transitions. Her passion for recognizing and nurturing talent led her to establish her coaching practice, where she works as a mentor for women launching their own coaching businesses. Grounded in values of compassion, practical wisdom, kindness, and a deep commitment to making a difference, Penny’s coaching philosophy centers on communication and HEART. She is dedicated to fostering a new generation of coaches who use their unique talents to create positive, lasting change, one meaningful conversation at a time.
María Perez, PCC
Mentor Coach
María Perez is a PCC-certified executive coach, facilitator, and international speaker, she brings 20+ years of cross-industry leadership experience. She helps high-achieving professionals and teams build clarity, confidence, and emotional resilience, aligning identity with leadership.
She began her coaching journey supporting individuals through emotional eating and personal transitions, eventually expanding into grief, couples, and executive coaching.
Her private practice serves clients from Fortune 100 companies to independent businesses, offering a space that’s both strategic and deeply human. With a grounded, intuitive approach, she supports growth rooted in presence, purpose, and connection.
Her path spans leadership roles in advertising, healthcare, hospitality, and real estate, along with early work in emotional eating and personal transitions. She now also mentors coaches and facilitates through Canada Coach Academy.
Known for her warmth, clarity, and humour, she believes meaningful change often begins in the quietest moments.
Roula Eid, PCC
Mentor Coach
Roula Eid is a Certified Executive and Team Coach. One of her strengths is about meeting clients where they are and moving them toward actionable goals. She has over 25 years experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. She started her career as a Salesperson in a European Franchise to end up as the CEO of an American Franchise.
Ms. Eid owns a company for Coaching, Training, and Mentoring in Canada and the MENA region called TEAM IN MOTION. Her accessible approach, positive attitude, and creativity foster trust and create safe environments that help clients lean into new territory and build new awareness. Her years of experience in multi- sector managerial positions has equipped her to work with diverse leaders and teams in navigating change, reducing conflict, enhancing communication, and strengthening alignment. She is an ACC/PCC Mentor Coach and is a PCC Marker Assessor Certificate holder. Ms. Eid had her own TV Show in the MENA region called “If you want” and the main mission of this show was about telling people that all that they need is within, if they want to grow, so start to explore.
Sandra Woloschuk, PCC
Mentor Coach
Sandra’s passion for coaching grew from an interest in supporting leaders to help people and organizations thrive through change. Her work is guided by a humanistic approach of encouragement using a calm and non-directive style. With 25 years of experience in adult education, Sandra’s focus is to help adult learners achieve their learning, career, and life goals. Specializing in leadership coaching and peer coaching, and as an experienced mentor coach, her priority is helping students and coaches to successfully navigate their learning journey.
Sandra is a Certified Executive Coach (CEC), achieved the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from the International Coach Federation (ICF) and completed the ICF PCC Marker training program. A lifelong learner, she holds a Masters degree in Adult Education, and is certified in change management (Prosci) project management (Prince2), and is a certified DiSC facilitator. Sandra is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR).
Sherry Matheson, PCC
Learning Leader & Mentor Coach
She is an Innovative, Collaborative & Strategic Change Specialist, Consultant and Systems Coach, coaching leaders, teams, and social systems, moving them from fear and frustration to being more engaged, courageous and innovative. Sherry brings 26 years of experience working in and with executives, directors, managers & teams in various settings – corporate, legal, government, oil & gas, not-for-profit, engineering, health & wellness & collaborative team leadership development to her coaching, facilitating & consulting services.
Sherry is a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation who believes the key is focusing on relationships. Through her work and in her own collaborations, she has experienced that if the relationship isn’t right, nothing is right. Sherry develops leaders & teams who create organizational cultures that innovate, driving new ideas, new ventures & creative impactful collaborations. Leading innovation requires a different kind of leader: a leader who is anchored in the awareness of their being as a leader; a leader who creates an environment where others are willing and able to collaborate and; a leader who is conscious and intentional of roles and responsibilities in leading collaboratively. Sherry is the founder of Empower the Truth.
Kristin O’Leary
Senior Bookkeeper
Kristin O’Leary joined CCA in February of 2022, as the Senior Bookkeeper. She has over 18 years of experience in accounting, she has worked in manufacturing, distribution, and retail. Kristin’s experience ranges from payroll to credit management and has handled the books from A-Z from small to medium size businesses. Her knowledge and passion for numbers started back in high school and continued into Cegep and University. She completed her AEC in Finance and is continuing her journey on completing her BBA in Accounting, with the ultimate goal of earning her CPA designation. Her passion is a strong desire to learn and excel at solving problems.
Jessica Derksen
Admissions Coach
Jessica Derksen is a passionate certified health and life coach who thrives on connecting with people and working with them to unlock their potential.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Psychology, Jessica has always been driven by a deep desire to be of service, fostering meaningful connections and engaging in impactful conversations. She finds immense joy in watching others recognize their strengths, pursue their goals, and create a life they truly love.
Currently completing her executive coaching certification with Canada Coach Academy, Jessica continues to expand her skills and dedication to guiding others on their journey to personal and professional fulfillment.
Pedro Fernandez
Admissions Coach
Pedro’s path to coaching was guided by his philosophy that as empowered individuals, we can accomplish much more together than we can on our own. He is passionate about helping people craft lives of meaning, significance and rewarding service.
Drawing on his over two decades of career experience in helping some of Canada’s largest professional services firms open new markets and connect with new audiences, he joined Coach Academy as an Admissions Coach in order to use his talents and energy towards more deeply meaningful service.
A musician himself, Pedro works with artists looking to unlock deeper levels of their own creativity as well as with business owners and solopreneurs in the introverted and highly sensitive persons (HSPs) space who want to implement results-driven yet energetically-aligned marketing plans.
Pedro is a graduate of Coach Academy actively pursuing his ICF certification.
Lauren Bunton
Admissions Coach
I work with creative entrepreneurs who are deeply engaged in their work—whether through artistic expression, innovative thinking, or the communities they cultivate. I support them in aligning their values, strengths, and creative energy with intentional practices that lead to meaningful, lasting growth.
My path to coaching has been shaped by years of experience in strategic coordination, executive leadership, and event production. I’ve worked alongside artists, educators, and entrepreneurs to bring complex ideas to life, always with an eye toward clarity, connection, and impact.
As a coach, I hold space with presence, curiosity, and care. I’m committed to a reflective, ethical practice grounded in ongoing learning and deep listening.
I also stay close to my own creative process through piano, sewing, and writing—practices that keep me rooted in curiosity, discipline, and discovery. Whether I’m creating space for a coaching conversation or stitching meaning into a handmade gift, I’m guided by the same intention: to create to connect.
At Coach Academy, I support both future and established coaches in finding the program and path that best fits who they are and who they’re becoming. If you’re imagining what’s next, I’d be honoured to walk with you—creating space for clarity, connection
Marian Yansen
Student Success Manager
Marian joined Canada Coach Academy in February 2021 as the Customer Experience Coordinator. She is a firm believer that in life we may not remember the people we’ve met, the food we’ve eaten nor the music we’ve danced to. But we will always remember the experiences.
As the customer experience coordinator her goal is to ensure that every experience will be unforgettable.
She has over 10 years of customer support & hospitality expertise. Her passion for bridging the gap between the organization and clients, led her to pursue a Public Relations Certificate after obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology & Political Science from McGill University.
Eric Arsenault
Fractional CFO
As a graduate of the Royal Military College, I dedicated 23 years of service to the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 2012, driven by a passion for construction, I founded my first company specializing in residential and commercial renovations. Three years later, I acquired a Disaster Restoration Business, which I successfully grew from 7 to over 45 employees.
In 2022, I passed the reins to a new owner to focus on personal goals and values. This led me to purchasing a farm and building a Commercial Maple Syrup Operation with approximately 5,500 taps—an entrepreneurial venture that blends nature, tradition, and innovation.
Today, I divide my time between three meaningful ventures: advising and mentoring the leadership team of my former company, managing and expanding my maple syrup operation, and serving as Fractional CFO and Strategic Advisor to the CEO and Founder of Coach Academy, a rising force in the Global Coaching Industry, recognized for its transformative impact.
My daily goal is simple: to make a difference in the lives of the people I encounter by living each day with purpose, grounded in clear objectives that challenge me and others to grow, lead, and inspire.
Brandon Cuthbertson
Fractional CMO
Brandon Cuthbertson is a British Columbia born digital marketing leader with over a decade of experience driving results for top North American brands, including Canadian Tire, Vitamix, Virgin Mobile, and GoHealth Urgent Care. He has built a proven track record of delivering growth results at leading digital marketing agencies before founding his own marketing & web design PassionRoute Marketing.
As a Fractional CMO, Brandon provides strategic guidance, development, and execution across all aspects of Coach Academy’s marketing strategy — ranging from web design and email marketing to social media advertising and SEM/PPC campaigns.
Outside of work, you’ll find him hiking, camping, surfing, snowboarding, and spending quality time with his family.
Christopher Sherman
Brand Strategy
Christopher Sherman is a brand marketing strategist, creative director, art director, photographer, and videographer.
With over 20 years of experience, Sherman has collaborated with both established brands and emerging companies across various industries. He skillfully merges business strategy, aesthetic intuition, cultural curiosity, and big-picture thinking to deliver smart solutions that excel across platforms. His work is evocative and driven by a unique perspective; partnering with visionary founders, innovative companies, and bold agencies, all while grounded in respect and kindness.
Clients Include: Hudson’s Bay Company, Indigo, Interview Magazine, Saint Laurent, Wall Street Journal, COS, Matty Matheson, Vogue, Saks Fifth Avenue, Audemars Piguet, Brother Vellies, Penguin Random House, Lionsgate Entertainment, Dries Van Noten, Reebok, and more.
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