Nico Human
Role: Chair, MacKay & Associates
Founder and Principal Consultant for BC Communication Consulting Ltd., based in Abbotsford
Nico Human is a CEO Coach and Chair of MacKay & Associates, contracted CEO for the BC Food Processors Organization, as well as founder and principal consultant for BC Communication Consulting Ltd., based in Abbotsford, BC. Nico brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing and business development and has, since founding his company in Canada in 1999, served clients mostly in Canadian agriculture and food processing with business development, strategic planning, business and life coaching, communication, marketing and public relations advice, and by implementing solution-finding programs. His career started in agricultural research and progressed in South Africa to research manager, business owner/consultant, research marketing manager and ultimately corporate head of marketing and public relations of the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa, an organization with 4,000 employees. He arrived in Canada in 1999 with his wife (a nurse) and two now grown children. They became citizens in 2003. Early in his Canadian career he worked as BC’s first agricultural awareness coordinator. This innovative program won two national awards. He enjoys triathlons, long distance bicycling, community choir singing, Rotary, Toastmasters and well as church activities. He loves his plate full.
Highlights:
- Extensive coaching and consulting experience
- CEO of the BC Food Processors Organization
- Recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award of Rotary International
- More than 25 years of experience in marketing and business development
- Former head of marketing and PR of the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa, an organization with 4,000 employees
Volunteer Work and Awards:
- Past Chair of the Rotary Club of Rotary Club of Abbotsford-Matsqui (still on Executive) as well as West Vancouver Sunrise Rotary
- Distinguished Toastmaster Silver, Abbotsford Noon Club
- Finalist, South African Boss of the Year Award
- Active member of CRC New Life Church in Abbotsford
Education:
- Ph. D University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- Post graduate Marketing Management Diploma, University of South Africa
- APR, i.e. Accreditation in Public Relations, PRISA (Public Relations Institute of South Africa) and CPRS (the Canadian Public Relations Society)
- Certified Co-active Coach, Coaching Training Institute, San Rafael, CA
Don Maunders
Role: Chair, MacKay & Associates
Founder and Principal Consultant, On Strategy Consulting Inc.
Don is an Associate of MacKay & Associates, as well as the founder and principle consultant of On Strategy Consulting Inc. based in North Vancouver. Don brings 20 years of hands on experience in the creation and execution of winning corporate and marketing strategies.
Since founding On Strategy in 2005, Don has worked with a broad spectrum of clients – large & small, public & private – to develop and execute transformational strategic plans. Don is appreciated for his capacity for listening and synthesizing new insights, and for pushing groups towards sharp strategic decision making that is rooted in the needs of the customer.
The road traveled for Don also includes twenty years of driving forward one of Canada’s best managed companies, A&W Foodservices of Canada Inc. As a key member of the executive team that turned around the A&W chain in Canada from a fading drive-in business to a thriving leader in the Quick Service Restaurant sector, Don held senior positions across the organization, including Operations Management, Marketing, and Human Resources/Organizational Development.
Highlights:
- 25 years of hands-on experience creating and executing winning corporate and marketing strategies
- Successive senior positions with one of Canada’s best-managed companies – A&W Foodservices of Canada Inc. – including Operations Management, Marketing, and Human Resources/Organizational Development
- Six years as an independent consultant working with a broad spectrum of clients – large and small, public and private
- Known for capacity for listening and synthesizing new insights and for pushing leaders towards sharp customer-focused decisions
- Executive Coach as well as Facilitator for CEO and Executive Peer Groups
Volunteer Work:
- Co-Chair of Balmoral Junior Secondary School PAC
- Co-Chair of Carson Graham Secondary School PAC
Education:
- Bachelor of Science, University of British Columbia
- Masters, Business Administration, Ivey (Western)
- Certified Co-Active Coach, Coach Training Institute, San Rafael CA
Rob Cooke
Role: Chair, MacKay & Associates and Managing Partner Focis Consulting Inc.
Highlights:
- Extensive coaching and consulting experience in organizational development, strategy planning and business transformation and in the design and implementation of shared services initiatives.
- Over the last 20 years has helped Executives and Executive Teams to improve their effectiveness and performance, to focus on the right issues and to make effective decisions related to business direction, strategy, transformation and structure.
- Known for his ability to effectively move between individual executives and their team, ensuring all are aligned and engaged. He has the ability and courage to challenge in a direct but positive manner with the tenacity to ensure important decisions are made.
- Co-author of “Shared Services: Mining for Corporate Gold”, (Prentice Hall 2000) and numerous professional papers and articles on shared and outsourced services.
Volunteer Work:
- Recently Board Chair of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation and Vice Chair of Glenlyon Norfolk School.
Education and Certification:
- Bachelor of Science Degree, York University 1975
- Masters Degree in Business Administration, York University 1979
- Certified Management Consultant, 2009
Judy Mitchell
Role: Associate, MacKay & Associates. 
Event planning and marketing support
Highlights:
- Ten years hospitality management experience with Keg Restaurants and Sequoia Enterprises (The Teahouse in Stanley Park)
- Excel in event planning i.e. business meeting/dinners, weddings and galas
- Expertise in hiring, developing and motivating a team to exceed guest expectations
- Solid history of high guest satisfaction and sales growth
- High energy with strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
Volunteer Work:
- Present Volunteer Coordinator of Dorothy Lynas Hot Lunch Program
- Manager of North Shore Girls Soccer Team
- Site Chair for the Diamond Ball Canadian Cancer Society Gala Ball
Education:
- Provincial Instructor Diploma, Vancouver Community College
- Hospitality Administration Diploma, British Columbia Institute of Technology
