Meet the Team

Higher Ground's People

We understand that the interaction of our people with yours is a critical element of your ultimate success. Therefore,we've built our company around exceptional people. Here’s a word on a few:

Brad Nykyforiak, Founder, Corporate Facilitator

Since founding Higher Ground in 1995, Brad has been a driving force in developing our corporate range of products and services. His curiosity, empathy, and abiding intention to help our clients thrive is at the core of Higher Grounds values driven approach! He's  passionate about leaders, teams, and giving back.

Mitch Fairrais, Associate, Corporate Facilitator

For twenty years Mitch has pioneered the use of experiential learning in major corporations including British Telecom, Kellogg’s, and Microsoft. His preparation and masterful facilitation has allowed him to deliver outstanding outcomes while also creating learning environments that are enjoyable and engaging.

Maria Sariego, Associate, Corporate Facilitator

For the past eighteen years Maria has excelled as a corporate facilitator and business coach devoting herself to helping people and organizations live and work well. Maria’s corporate career encompassed training, corporate communications, and change management at several high-tech firms including AT&T and Avaya.

Stephen Abbott, Associate, Corporate Facilitator

With over 15 years of business experience within world-class global organizations, Stephen has gathered a unique understanding of how companies work, and how teamwork infiltrates every aspect. Stephen is passionate about closing the gap between organizations current performance and their potential for greatness.

Diane MacDonald, Associate, Corporate Facilitator

Diane's strengths are in strategic planning, stakeholder consultation, organization design, and leadership development. She is particularly known for her expertise in designing and facilitating meaningful large group events. Her style is enthusiastic, creative and collaborative. She believes in combining theory and action.

Grant Penner, Associate, Corporate Facilitator

Grant offers over twenty years of training, facilitation, consulting and operational experience. A balanced perspective, good sense of humour and the ability to zero in on your business needs form the essence of his facilitation style. His approach balances results-oriented objectives with a belief that work must also be fun.

Stephen Largy, Associate, Operations Manager

With over 25 years of business operations experience within world-class organizations, Stephen brings his organizational effectiveness approach to everything he does. His passion for attending to the 'devil in the details' helps ensure every program's success. His customer service is unparalleled.

Ines Eisses, Associate, Corporate Support

With a strong background in the world's of finance and media, Ines brings a breadth of experience to our team that allows her to relate easily to our client's challenges. Her effervescence, joy for living, and courage make her an invaluable member of the Higher Ground team. She brightens our days.

Debbie Douez, Associate, Corporate Support

Deb brings a strong background in Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) with world-class organizations like Intrawest. Deb's analytical abilities are only matched by her creativity. A true left-brain right-brain integrated being, Debbie has an ability to see any problem through multiple lenses. She lightens our days.