About MiHR

Ryan Montpellier

Executive Director

Ryan has over 15 years of experience in identifying and addressing human resources and labour market challenges in the Canadian mining industry. Appointed as Executive Director in 2008, he leads all of MiHR’s strategic activities and represents the Council on various industry and government committees and advisory panels. Ryan is a past recipient of the Canadian Institute of Mining – Young Leadership Award and the International Association of Business Communicators Gold Quill award. He is a regular speaker and panelist at industry conferences and events and was a past Distinguished Lecturer for the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM). Prior to joining MiHR, Ryan held various leadership positions with high-tech companies in the Ottawa region. Ryan holds a number of degrees including an MBA and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.

Dana Imbeault

Senior Director Operations, NOS and CMCP

Dana is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of MiHR’s programs and activities. She also leads a team in the development of a suite of National Occupational Standards to be used by industry to help develop the required skills and competencies of its workforce, and leads the implementation of MiHR’s Canadian Mining Certification Program – a national program that recognizes the expertise of the industry workforce. Dana also provides oversight and guidance on the implementation of MiHR’s Mining Essentials Program: An Essential Skills and Work Readiness Program for Aboriginal Peoples.

William Meyer

Director, Marketing and Communications

William Meyer is responsible for planning and providing strategic direction to effectively promote and build awareness of MiHR and its programs, projects and services. A strategic, results-oriented communications professional, William has nearly 15 years’ experience in the non-profit, association and government sectors – and has served as the head of communications for two industry associations. William also leads the development and implementation of marketing and communications activities that support all aspects of MiHR’s strategic plan.

Leslie Woolcott

Director, Inclusion, Diversity and Career Development

Leslie manages a team of professionals who carry out programs and projects to increase the mining industry’s ability to attract and retain employees from diverse groups and to increase awareness, interest and improve the perception of mining careers. A strategic corporate leader with extensive human resources management, adult education, and stakeholder engagement experience, Leslie has spearheaded large-scale culture change and capacity-building programs focused on equity, diversity, inclusion, workplace harassment and violence in the education and community sectors. Using collaborative, multi-faceted strategies, Leslie and her team are available to support unique sites, diverse stakeholders, and the overall mining sector.

Pascale Larouche

Director, Training and Workforce Development

Pascale develops and distributes tools that help employers effectively engage with Indigenous peoples. She leads the continued expansion of the Mining Essentials Program through engaging partnerships, and her focus is to increase the participation of Indigenous peoples in the mining industry and assist in building a work-ready and safety conscious Indigenous workforce.

Jamie Wolcott

Director, Labour Market Information

Jamie is responsible for the continuous intellectual development of MiHR’s labour market research and forecasting for Canada’s mining industry. He has collaborated with numerous industry stakeholders across the country and has been a key contributor to several of MiHR’s research projects. His focus is to identify and understand the primary challenges and opportunities facing in the mining labour market in Canada.

Jennifer Trepanier

Senior Manager, Finance and Administration

Jen is responsible for the day-to-day financial management and administrative operations at MiHR. Jen holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Laurentian University and has over 10 years of experience in accounting and finance. Prior to joining MiHR and the not-for-profit sector, Jen held various intermediate and senior financial analyst positions in the professional service, hospitality and manufacturing industries in Ottawa.

Taylor-Faith Blenkarn

Senior Manager, NOS and CMCP

Taylor manages the development and maintenance of MiHR’s suite of National Occupational Standards (NOS) defined and validated by the Canadian mining industry. Taylor is responsible for the ongoing implementation of MiHR’s Canadian Mining Certification Program (CMCP), working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure a credible process for the assessment and recognition of the skills, knowledge and experience of mine workers. She leads the development, implementation and testing of new programs and initiatives using MiHR’s suite of National Occupational Standard. She contributes to project proposals, maintains budgets, prepares and executes work plans and compiles reports.

Lindsay Kajiura

Senior Manager, Training & Workforce Development

Lindsay is responsible for implementing projects that support the engagement of all potential sources of labour to develop an inclusive and diversified workforce across the mining sector. She works on the business development and proposal activities around inclusion and diversity opportunities. She participates in building awareness in careers in mining to various audiences including newcomers, Indigenous people, women and youth, and manages engagement with MiHR’s inclusion and diversity programming. Lindsay holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Women’s Studies and brings 4 years of Human Resource experience.

Gustavo Jurado

Senior Labour Market Economist

Gustavo collaborates in the planning and development of MiHR’s labour market research and forecasting for the Canadian mining industry. He brings experience in e-commerce and data science, having worked in both public and private sectors. His previous projects have focused on understanding the potential impact of automation on the labour market.

Joel Downham

Manager, Inclusion, Diversity & Career Development

Joel is responsible for designing, managing, delivering and evaluating projects which support MIHR’s strategic inclusion, diversity and career development objectives. He has an international background working in peace and security projects and most recently in the diplomatic services. Joel is currently undertaking a BA (honours) degree in business management with Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom.

Ghazoua Ouerghi Saada

Manager, Inclusion, Diversity and Career Development

Ghazoua is responsible for designing, managing, delivering and evaluating projects that support MiHR’s strategic inclusion, diversity and career development objectives. Prior to joining MiHR, Ghazoua managed projects and programs in the non-profit sector in Canada and Tunisia. She is a Fulbright alumna and has a master’s degree in public administration.

Victoria Burnie

Manager, Wage Subsidies & Career Development

Victoria is responsible for managing MiHR’s wage subsidy programs and career development initiatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and brings five years of human resource experience.

Brandon Belo

Manager, Wage Subsidies & Career Development

Brandon manages MiHR’s wage subsidy programs and supports various other inclusion, diversity and career development projects. Brandon has over 10 years of business management experience.

Julie Graves

Manager, Communications

Julie manages and contributes to the development of MiHR’s marketing and communications activities, such as social media campaigns, web material, reports and publications. In addition, Julie also leads MiHR participation at events and monitors media hits and opportunities.

Tabetha Sheppard

Manager, Marketing and Outreach

Tabetha (She/They) leads MiHR’s marketing and outreach activities, including the newly launched We Need Mining. Mining Needs You. Career Ambassador Program. They are a geoscientist and science communicator who has over 5 years of experience managing and delivering outreach programs across Canada. Tabetha earned her master’s degree in science communication from Laurentian University, where their research focused on youth perceptions of the mining industry.

Bahareh Karimi

IT and Accounting Officer

Bahar is responsible for day-to-day office functions, supports staff and projects and manages accounts payable and expense claims at MiHR. She brings several years of experience in computer and network administration, accounting and customer service.

Alex Parsons

Communications and Graphic Design Officer

Alex works with the communications team to write, edit and design market-ready content for the websites, social media pages and other facets of MiHR’s public face.

Vickey Sobhani

Labour Market Economist

Vickey contributes to the research, analysis and interpretation of labour force data to explain economic conditions and forecast labour market trends in Canada’s mining industry, applying econometric models and statistical techniques. She brings experience in private sector market analytics, as well as public sector economic assessment and management consulting across all levels of government.

Louise Briglio

Project Coordinator, Training

Amanda Seguin

Project Coordinator, Training and Certifications

Amanda is responsible for supporting the administration of team projects by planning, leading, coordinating and organizing a wide range of project-related functions that support the effective management of IDCD projects. She has previously worked in administration and event management with an educational background in business administration as well as project management.

Danielle Delaney

Office Coordinator

Danielle is responsible for day-to-day office functions as well as supporting staff and projects at MiHR. She offers experience working with numerous businesses and organizations to develop initiatives to support a variety of needs.