about us

Executive circles don’t need smart people — they need people who make the circle smarter.

VISION:

To be a global brand recognized for developing senior managers and executives who build positive cultures, drive change and deliver exceptional results.

our mission

Our mission is to promote a more equitable approach to leadership development that elevates the contribution of more individuals, creates a bigger pool of leaders, and makes a profound difference to the individuals and organizations we serve.

our values

Integrity.

We act authentically in accordance with our principles in everything we say and do.

Equity.

Excellence exists outside of any single definition of potential – leaders are made not born.

Empathy.

We understand that good people don’t always get the opportunities they deserve, so sometimes they need to make their own.

Knowledge.

Knowledge and expertise are pivotal to our unique offering. We leverage our experience and the wisdom of our executive network to incite a deeper awareness of the nuances of management and leadership.

Tenacity.

The world of business is tough and competitive, but we’ve got grit and drive to make a profound difference for people.

Generosity.

We’ve made a mark in our careers – what motivates us is the chance to help others do the same.

our team

ARDI GHORASHY

ARDI GHORASHY

Founder, Excellerate Coach

Ardi has an extensive background working with executives, managers, teams, and organizations to pinpoint sources of drag, smooth rough edges, optimize performance, and accelerate progress toward ambitious goals. His work has positively impacted thousands of managers and executives in Fortune Global 500 companies, spanning technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, food, power, oil and gas, finance, banking, insurance, and more. 

Ardi earned a Master’s Degree in Engineering from Manchester UK and holds PMP, PgMP, CSM, SAFe 4.0 Agilist, Six Sigma Green Belt, Prosci and APMG designations. He is also a Change Management practitioner and International Coaching Federation (ICF) Coach — and is certified in MBTI, EQi-2.0, Leadership Challenge and GlobeSmart assessments. 

Ardi, founder of 80/20 Consulting Inc., created the 8020 Excellerate program because he has seen how insightful feedback and mentoring can transform people, careers, and companies. 8020 Excellerate aims to close the leadership development gap by shining light on the hidden “leadership gems” within an organization. 

Main Office: Canada

JANE MORGAN

JANE MORGAN

Cofounder, Excellerate Coach

Jane is founder and CEO of the UK-based Plan.Coach.Succeed Ltd. serving clients all over the world since 2003. With 25+ years in project management, Jane brings a powerful combination of LOGIC and INTUITION to her unique Plan.Coach.Succeed (PCS) coaching approach, enabling established and aspiring leaders to achieve stellar results.

A certified Co-Active & ICF Accredited PCC® Coach, Jane has over 3,000 one-to-one coaching hours and 15 years of experience designing, developing, and delivering high-impact leadership development programs that positively change behavior. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) and provides consulting and training in this discipline to major corporations globally.

Jane brings a wealth of experience and a record of exceptional client results to her role as an 8020 Excellerate Coach.

Main Office: UK​​​

TERESA VEENSTRA

TERESA VEENSTRA

Cofounder, Excellerate Coach

​​​Teresa is an executive coach, consultant and facilitator who partners with individuals and teams, offering the tools and inspiration that empower people to realize and step into their full potential and capacity for advancement. Her approach combines leading-edge best practices in the areas of executive coaching and leadership development to boost performance, effectiveness, and growth.

Teresa has delivered C-suite and senior leadership development and team development programs for organizations of all sizes, from small companies to multi-national organizations.

Teresa is an International Coach Federation’s Associate Certified Coach (ACC), holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree and Adult Education certification. She is also a certified practitioner for several personality and behavioural assessments and a CanFit Pro Fitness Instructor. Teresa’s coaching and leadership development approach is a perfect fit with the 8020 Excellerate mission. Her success in helping clients achieve their career goals is a tremendous asset to the program.

Main Office: Canada

ANIL GUPTA

ANIL GUPTA

Cofounder, Excellerate Coach

Anil has been helping individuals and organizations improve performance for over 20 years. He works with executive teams to build the strategic plan and cultural orientation for their organization, and helps mid-level leaders translate those strategic plans into execution plans. He leads cross-functional transformational process improvement and enables organizations through Lean and Six Sigma training.

Anil’s consulting practice has taken him to five continents, and spans a wide range of industries including aerospace, software, healthcare, government, not-for-profit, retail, manufacturing, finance, construction, airlines, and service, among others. He also teaches Lean Six Sigma at the University of Toronto and McMaster University in Hamilton, ON. Listen to his Tedx Talk here.

Anil has an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, Ontario; M.Sc. in Business Research from University of Reading; Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Certification from the Six Sigma Academy, and is a certified administrator of the Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicators. He is currently a research scholar at the Rotman School, University of Toronto.

Main Office: Canada

Melissa Ghorashy

Melissa Ghorashy

Cofounder

With a background in strategic communications and operations, Melissa has been involved in all aspects of the creation and ongoing operations of the 8020 Excellerate™ program.

Main Office: Canada

SHERRY Pedersen-Ajmani

SHERRY Pedersen-Ajmani

Excellerate Coach

A versatile executive coach and HR leader known for creativity, integrity, pragmatism and humour, Sherry is the go-to person when companies and individuals are seeking coaching for development. An Adler-trained Coach, she works comfortably with C-Suite executives, middle management, as well as with high-potential staff in the early stages of their careers. Over the course of her 20-year career, she has worked in both generalist and specialist HR roles at Tier 1 Canadian companies, particularly in the field of Leadership Development and Talent Management with Maple Leaf Foods, Walmart Canada and most recently in executive coaching and assessment with LHH Knightsbridge.

Main Office: Canada

Cynthia Jamieson

Cynthia Jamieson

Excellerate Coach

Through Cynthia’s 30+ years of experience supporting leaders at all levels (from the shop floor to the boardroom) within multiple industries, work environments and business contexts I have expertise in all areas of Human Resources.

As an Executive Coach she helps new, emerging and high potential leaders leverage core values and strengths to take it to the next level by dialing down self-sabotage and dialling up mental fitness to: 

  • Develop an authentic leadership brand and style
  • Tame the inner critic and increase self-confidence
  • Navigate leadership, life and career transitions
  • Explore how thoughts impact results

Cynthia provides a compassionate connection and an authentic approach by bringing people to spaces and places they would not have traveled to otherwise.

Main Office: Canada

Vivian Acquah

Vivian Acquah

DEI & Workplace Wellness Consultant

As an inclusive Workplace Wellness Advocate, Vivian is passionate about advising managers on how to keep their team members engaged, energized, and safe in a sustainable manner, ultimately increasing revenue for your company.

Working with Vivian means working towards sustainable employability in a holistic way: all elements of wellness and wellbeing are interconnected, including physical, mental, career, social, community, and financial wellness. I also purposefully incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Main Office: Netherlands

Dr Clif Lewis

Dr Clif Lewis

Industrial Organizational Psychologist

​Business life in a post-COVID world presents complexity, doubt and uncertainty. I work with clients to avoid doubt and uncertainty becoming debilitating, and instead empower my clients to channel it into opportunities for growth. For over a decade, I have helped individuals and teams in disrupted industries find stability. They achieve this through a better understanding of themselves, their organization and others; learning new ways of interacting, responding and constructing healthy relationships.

Ultimately, my expertise lies in the multifaceted fields of leadership. I specialize in guiding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and assisting to mitigate the complexities, doubt and uncertainty in the ‘Future of Work’. I hold a PhD from the School of Business and Management at Queen Mary University of London, registration as I/O Psychologist in South Africa and the United Kingdom, as well as accreditation as Chartered HR Professional.

Main Office: South Africa

Nicole Virgin

Nicole Virgin

Director Partnerships & Corporate Development

Nicole has an unyielding commitment to breaking down barriers and building workplace and societal belonging. With over two decades of experience in the public and private sectors, Nicole has cultivated advanced skills in adult learning, needs analysis and collaboration. She is a strong system and design thinker possessing a high degree of business acumen.

Nicole holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership and an Undergraduate Degree in Human Rights. The central focus of her work is in forging and nurturing partnerships to advance knowledge, foster growth and improve outcomes.

Main Office: Canada 

Jill Armstrong

Jill Armstrong

Director of Marketing and Social Media

Jill creates and manages digital content to build relationships for companies and individuals. Her marketing and public relations experience span over two decades in the business, leadership, publishing and lifestyle industries.

Main Office: Canada