ABOUT
Meet The WIP Team
Principal
Linda Folster, Principal
“a creator and champion of ideas, initiator, achiever… passionate, intuitive, warm, caring… I listen, I follow through, you can count on me… a planner with a natural aptitude for diagnosing problems; wired for solving them… sensitive to other’s needs, genuine concern for people and their struggles… an eye for design and style… curious learner… extraverted and also deeply reflective… gifted communicator… natural leader… academic and artsy… values doing what’s right over what’s easy”
Linda Folster created Work In Progress Career Transition Strategists™ in 2008.
Her advanced credentials include:
• M. Ed. (Adult Education/Counselling Psychology), UBC
• B. Comm. (Organizational Behaviour/Industrial Relations Management), UBC
• Associate Diploma, (Venture Program), BCIT
• MBTI Qualification,Certified Personality Dimensions Facilitator
• The Dependable Strengths Articulation Process®, Level 2 Instructor
• The Implicit Career Search® Certified Facilitator
Linda has over 15 years experience in developing programs, ideas, products, and people. Employers have included municipal, provincial, and federal governments; crown corporations, and the private sector. PLUS … she was self-employed for 10 years in the fashion industry. Linda is passionate about helping people move through career and life transitions. She is compassionate and understanding; having gone through several major transitions herself. She understands what it is like to feel vulnerable and uncertain and at the same time excited about creating a new life. Linda’s mission is to help others create a rewarding life by building their self-esteem and discovering their Work Purpose.
Associate
Jim Smyth, Associate
“An excellent business counsellor and mentor….acclaimed teacher of entrepreneurial skills….developer of practical workshops/seminars….inventive seeker of solutions to problems, with a good sense of humour….intent on moving clients forward allowing them to always leave with their dignity intact….honest and reliable with a strong sense of ethics…..well developed listening skills….believer that fun is fundamental in business and in life. “
Jim has a distinguished international background in private industry, government, and education. He has managed companies and owned/operated several businesses in a variety of industries. In addition, Jim has consulted for, advised, mentored, and instructed entrepreneurs and students selling a variety of products and services. His credentials, in the areas of Business Counselling, Entrepreneurship, Advanced Management/Accounting, and Economics, are from well-recognized post secondary institutions and business organizations in England, Singapore, Vancouver, and Ireland. An award-winning small business mentor, Jim has been invited to guest lecture at BC post-secondary institutions and to speak as a business start-up expert to the media.
The strengths Jim brings to the team include an in-depth understanding of how to successfully navigate change, as well as vast experience in business start-ups that will also be of great value to clients deciding to go this route.
Associate
Trevor Anderson, Associate
“innovative advocate, mentor, ideas man… master of gentle persuasion… caring, loyal, committed – you can count on me… unique sensitivity to cultural differences, derived from a life-time spent in diverse social and ethnic locales… superior liaising and community outreach skills… an eye for beauty, an ear for music, a flair for drama… independent and also excel working in close collaboration… insatiable thirst for new knowledge… fluent in Japanese”
Trevor has worked in BC and abroad as an instructor at the high school and university levels, plus in a workshop setting teaching adult learners. He has extensive expertise in working with students and immigrants in Exchange and Intern Placement Programs, and as a School Trustee.
Trevor’s post secondary credentials and overseas work have focused on Asian cultures. He is currently a life-skills and career coach, and job search workshop facilitator. Trevor is active in two BC Career Counselling Associations, The Waldorf School, and The Japanese Community Services Network.
Trevor has extensive expertise in dealing with immigrant clients and experience in training people to counter discrimination in their job search. His experience in working with those in the process of career transition along with his warmth, sensitivity, integrity, and commitment make him an ideal person to develop trusting relationships with clients while they are in the midst of a career transition.
