WHo We Are

Renée Safrata

CEO and Founder

Over the past 30+ years Renée has worked with thousands of companies and executives throughout North America and Europe, helping them to connect, adopt new behaviors, and become confident members of highly functioning teams. Human-connection and talent development are at the core of everything Renée touches. From one-on-one and team training, to speaking engagements, she clearly demonstrates how this philosophy of connection is what ultimately drives productivity and directly contributes to company results.

After a successful career in interior design, Renée shifted to consulting where she helped CEOs, executive management, and entrepreneurs build focused and results-oriented teams. Recognizing the ongoing shift and future demand for digital workplace learning, she began researching and analyzing the market to develop the business plan for building out Vivo Team’s analytics and platform. She now has over 10 years experience leading a remote team and creating and delivering educating, entertaining, and unique virtual learning experiences.

Dr. Jim Sellner

EVP, People Analytics & Talent Activation

Dr. Jim’s core purpose is to bring out the genius in you. With over 40 years experience working with and training countless business leaders and entrepreneurs, his no-nonsense approach and ability to keep things simple inspires changes in behaviors that yield significantly better results. As EVP, People Analytics & Talent Activation at Vivo Team, Dr. Jim’s team holds multiple gold awards from the internationally renowned Brandon Hall Group. A respected leader, author, and speaker known for his innovation in people analytics in L&D, he has published many articles and eBooks including “Leadership for Einsteins: How Smart Leaders Bring Out the Genius in People” and “Account-Ability: The Science of Human Performance.”

Having first trained and worked as a city planner, Jim later joined the faculty at the University of British Columbia where he went on to obtain an MA and Ph.D. in psychology. His unique psychological/behavioral perspective provides Vivo Team with a solid, practical philosophy. 

Erin Berube

VP Operations

From the beginning, Erin helped lay the foundation for Vivo Team’s exceptional reputation with her unique blend of tactical and strategic vision and organizational excellence. Her ability to bring order and calm to dynamic teams and projects while creating an environment of success is her specialty. Erin’s contributions to Vivo Team include leading and developing an inclusive and innovative culture, managing the day-to-day business operations, and holding team members accountable to high-level efficiencies and productivity.

Erin’s extensive experience in operations and management stems from her award-winning career in television where she spent fifteen years managing multiple productions and diverse teams, all the while working under heavy pressure and tight deadlines. During this time, she also excelled in the emerging digital and social media industry as a social media producer and digital project manager before starting her own social media company.

Lynn Redmond

Marketing and Creative Director

Solution-focused and action-oriented, Lynn is an efficiency expert who balances analysis and imagination with ease. First cutting her teeth as a graphic designer in 2003, she worked her way through agency life gaining experience in several disciplines before honing in on a career in marketing. At Vivo Team, her multifaceted skill set covers content and brand strategy, traditional and digital marketing, creative direction, copywriting, user experience, and project management.

Lynn has shared her marketing and design expertise as a mentor to numerous students and interns as well as through speaking engagements hosted by Nova Scotia Business Inc. and Able Sense. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, she also completed three Creative and Digital Media diplomas from Nova Scotia Community College. In her spare time, Lynn is the principal of the Dartmouth & District Pipe Band School and plays bagpipes.

David Yudis

Executive Coach

DIRECT • RESPECTFUL • EVOCATION TO PROVOCATION

A global talent development expert, David Yudis provides executive coaching to Vivo Team’s senior executive clients. Focused on presence and leadership transitions, David has led global teams and advised senior executives throughout his career in talent management–supporting business growth through talent development and activation. His coaching clientele have included C-suite and senior leaders across a wide range of industries including: financial, technology, utilities, and media.

While working with The Walt Disney Company for over a decade, David held a variety of executive positions including Vice President of DCP Global Learning. David is also a current member of the Forbes Coaches Council–an invitation-only organization for senior-level coaches.

David’s specific areas of focus and expertise include: leadership development, organization effectiveness, culture transformation, talent acquisition, team effectiveness, talent review, succession management, learning strategy, high potential talent development, and creative applications in program design.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• The tools and methods to create a better version of yourself
• The skills and expertise to exceed organizational goals
• Exponential return on investment
• Participating in the multiplier effect–the ability to impact many other people and make a difference in those lives

FUN FACT

Last century, when David had platinum hair, he was the lead singer for New Millenium (no spelling error, that was the name). They recorded an album and played great dance music at local clubs.

Petra Mayer

Executive Coach, Facilitator | Bilingual (English, German)

DIRECT • POSITIVE • CARING

Petra brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Vivo Team stemming from her 30+ years of work with corporations of all sizes. A certified professional coach and consultant in the eLearning space, her insight and expertise are invaluable.

Having lived and worked in four countries across three continents, she has a well-informed and adaptable coaching style. She appreciates the experience of working with individuals and groups to help them to progress and build greater self-awareness to a point where they can pass this on to their teams and colleagues.

Petra combines her MBA education at Lancaster University and her business acumen based on her broad experiences in organizations of multiple industries across the globe with her coaching skills acquired during her certification at Simon Fraser University.

Petra works closely with Vivo Team’s clients at all organizational levels–delivering both group content and coaching sessions.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Being held to account in a direct, yet respectful way
• Unwavering support and encouragement
• An engaging and transformative learning experience
• Learning how to motivate and inspire others

FUN FACT

Petra works 100% virtually from her dream home on the West Coast of Canada, watching the humpback whales directly from her desk with her dog by her feet.

Mike Kaufman

Executive Coach, Facilitator

INTEGRATIVE • SUPPORTIVE • APPROACHABLE

With an extensive 20 year background in team effectiveness, Mike ensures leaders and teams deliver outstanding results by working together at the same pace, in the same direction, at the same time. Mike’s coaching style is people-focused, creating the space to allow people to talk about what is important, stretch beyond their current abilities, and create connections that are meaningful.

A former leader in national and international companies as well as small- to mid-sized firms, he holds a Masters in IT Management from Brandeis University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Kent State University.

Mike organizes and hosts an annual event for coaches in the Greater Toronto Area to provide a safe space for learning new skills and practicing their craft. He also volunteers with a local restorative justice organization in a program that focuses on sexual harm in the community.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Opportunities for real change and future potential.
• Meaningful connections
• Increased personal, team, and company effectiveness

FUN FACT

The highest honour Mike ever received was Best Dad of the Year from his kids 15 years ago!

Joanne Collins

Executive Coach, Facilitator

PERCEPTIVE • MOTIVATING • SUPPORTIVE

A Professional Certified Coach with 20 years of experience delivering leadership and performance coaching, Joanne is an active listener and encourager who believes in exploring potential to build great leaders and great people.

As a ruthless optimist and lifelong learner, Joanne focuses on developing self-awareness, exploring possibilities, elevating personal/professional growth, and increasing impact. Joanne has worked with people from multiple sectors including financial services, CPG, technology, media, and communications.

In addition to working with global human capital firms, Joanne was an Organizational Development Consultant with the City of Toronto where she created and delivered wellness and career management programs and workshops. Joanne also taught organizational career development at George Brown College in Toronto, and prior to coaching worked in the broadcasting industry.

Joanne lives and works in Toronto, Canada, and though she takes her work seriously, she never leaves behind her sense of humour: “It’s like oxygen to me.”

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Heightened self-awareness
• Excitement, creativity, and energy
• Growth and future possibilities

FUN FACT

One of Joanne’s first radio reporting jobs required her to cover Prince Charles and Princess Diana's visit to Toronto. She met the Princess of Wales, and said she was even more lovely in person!