Our Bios
Our team is made up of highly successful leaders - some of the most well-respected citizens in the marketplace. More importantly, you'll see by our backgrounds below that we have owned businesses, managed teams and truly "get" what it takes to provide the very best in recruitment. Scroll down to get to know both our Edmonton Team and our Vancouver Team.
OUR EDMONTON TEAM
CAM MACMILLAN, Partner & President
Cam was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and earned a degree from the University of Alberta. Prior to recruitment, Cam was a manager in corporations and government departments, and he owned and operated a customer-service oriented business with a nationally recognized brand. He has spent the last ten years in the recruitment industry, becoming one of the experts in his field and part of the management team when his last firm was named one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies.
Cam is an active father of three, competes in triathlons (including one Ironman) and loves this business!
Email: cmacmillan@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Cam's Testimonials »
DANIELLE BRAGGE, Managing Partner & VP, Prairie Region
Accounting (temporary contract)
Danielle was raised and educated in Johannesburg, South Africa. She started her career in the recruitment industry in 1988 when she joined a National Recruitment company. Several years later she formed her own company which ran successfully until she started her family, whereupon the business was sold.
After immigrating to Canada in 1999, Danielle joined a Fortune 500 staffing firm. Danielle successfully ran the Edmonton branch for 3 years prior to relocating to BC to turnaround a struggling Vancouver branch. In 2005; Danielle moved back to Edmonton and joined a Deloitte Top 50 National Recruiting Firm as a Senior Recruiter. Two years later; after achieving Top Performer status; Danielle was promoted to General Manager running a Business Unit.
There are few better when it comes to training and managing staff. Danielle has built up a reputation in the industry as being reliable and committed to the needs of both clients and candidates. This shows in the many service awards she has won over the years for top billing and superb management style.
Danielle is a competitive runner and triathlete when she is not busy with her five children!
E-mail: dbragge@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Danielle's Testimonials »
SALLY BANEK , Branch Manager/ Recruitment Consultant
Accounting (permanent)
Sally was born and raised in Edmonton. Upon completion of her CMA designation, she joined an international consumer products organization. She rose through the ranks of various finance positions, culminating in a mergers and acquisitions role. Since then she has been a decisive and integral member of senior management teams working in various industries. Her roles included Controller and Director of Finance positions of multi-national organizations. She also was a lead player in the global implementation of an ERP system.
Throughout her career, Sally's priority as a manager has been to find and mentor the right people, and she firmly believes her success as a finance leader has been the direct result of the teams she led. She brings this same priority with her to The Headhunters, along with a strong understanding of the needs of both the job seeker and the hiring manager.
Sally has a passion for travel (80 cities in 35 countries); and a love of scuba diving, with 100+ dives under her belt. Two children, two dogs, and gym workouts keep her busy. She is an avid concert and theatre goer, and a voracious reader.
E-mail: sbanek@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Sally's Testimonials »
LILY BROOKS, Recruitment Consultant
Accounting Operations (permanent)
Lily graduated from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario with an Honours Business Degree, majoring in marketing. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Edmonton to begin her career. Here, she joined the
world's largest rental car service provider with over
$14B in annual revenue. In the short period of five
years, Lily rose to lead a team of fifty individuals, opening
a new business sector for the company. She is an accomplished business builder and problem solver who thrives on meeting the needs of her clients.
Lily is an avid snowboarder, golfer, and cook. She loves to spend time with family and friends, her husband, and her puppy Lucy.
E-mail: lbrooks@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Lily's Testimonials »
ERIN KIPPS, Senior Recruitment Consultant
Accounting (permanent)
Erin was raised in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. Upon completion of her degree, Erin worked for GE Capital Solutions as an Assistant Account Manager. In the role as team lead for the Edmonton Deal Team, Erin facilitated the financing of heavy-duty equipment for companies in the Northern Alberta Region.
Upon entering the Recruitment Industry, Erin joined a Fortune 500 Staffing Firm. In her role as Recruiting Manager, Erin worked in the Accounting and Finance field, focusing on meeting the needs of both her clients and candidates. Within her first 7 months of employment Erin achieved Top 10 status for Rookie of the Year within this global company.
As a snowboarder, golfer and volleyball player, Erin enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband.
E-mail: ekipps@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Erin's Testimonials »
KARLY GERLACH, Recruitment Consultant
Office Personnel (temporary contract)
Karly was raised in Edmonton, Alberta and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics at the University of Alberta. With an interest in International Relations, Karly spent time in Spain and in the Republic of South Korea teaching English and expanding her knowledge of the culture in Asia. She moved to the Netherlands to pursue a career in a global marketing company where she worked for 3 years with international clients such as Coca-Cola, L'Oreal, Danone, Sony etc. Her outgoing nature and curious personality leads her to ask interesting questions and build solid relationships.
Karly is well travelled and has a passion for learning languages; she speaks French, Spanish and Dutch. She enjoys salsa dancing, watching documentaries and spending time with family and friends.
E-mail: kgerlach@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Karly's Testimonials »
TREVOR LAMSON, Recruitment Consultant
Accounting Operations (Temporary Contract)
Trevor grew up in Southern Alberta, then moved to Edmonton in 2002 to attend the University of Alberta
where he majored in Marketing. He spent 3 years selling
a variety of software solutions to businesses all across Western Canada. Trevor took the lead role in major
client solution decisions working with clients ranging
from small shops to major international conglomerates
to Government and large Not-For-Profit organizations.
During this time, Trevor also developed marketing
initiatives resulting in corporate wide success.
Trevor lives in Sherwood Park and is involved in many sports - hockey, slow pitch, golf, hunting and fishing. Trevor also enjoys spending time outdoors with his daughter.
E-mail: tlamson@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Trevor's Testimonials »
JULIE LILIENSKOLD, Recruitment Consultant
Senior Accounting and Finance (Contract)
Julie was raised in rural Alberta, and moved to Edmonton to complete her CMA designation. She has worked for various sized companies in numerous industries. Her earlier career path took her from positions growing from Team Lead to Controller, and working with directors and VPs alike. Julie has been self-employed for the past eight years, and is highly successful in her market in all aspects of business, from accounting to marketing and sales. She brings a strong understanding of the needs of her clients, and looks to provide the perfect mix of technical skills and initiative that clients seek in a contract senior accountant. Julie loves to travel, is an avid martial artist, and enjoys regular work outs at the gym.
E-mail: jlilienskold@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Julie's Testimonials »
SHARON MADHLANGOBE, Recruitment Consultant
Accounting Operations (Temporary Contract)
Sharon grew up near the beautiful beaches of South Carolina. She holds both a Management Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration. Sharon worked in number different departments for a major Fortune 500 Telecom giant from Human Resources, Engineering and Dispatch Resource Management. She was then tapped to be the Mobility Manager in South Carolina overseeing a Federal Grant Program geared towards assisting adults with disabilities and the elderly before her big move to Edmonton.
Sharon is dedicated to building meaningful relationships based on matching her candidates to the right clients. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family.
E-mail: smadhlangobe@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Sharon's Testimonials »
WENDY RABEL, Recruitment Consultant
Office Personnel (permanent)
Wendy grew up in the Edmonton area and completed her Masters degree in English at the University of Alberta. She has eight years of experience working in post-secondary recruitment and student services. For two and a half years, she was the driving force behind the national recruitment program at one of the largest Engineering faculties in Canada.
Because of her expertise, she has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Educational Liaison Association of Alberta and worked as a consultant to universities in post-secondary recruitment and marketing. She now specializes in the placement of office personnel professionals. A client recently raved about Wendy, describing her as "both very professional and highly personable."
Working with people is her first love and she is dedicated to delivering top-notch client care. Her extensive experience also includes writing marketing materials for print & web, grant applications, proposals, and job descriptions.
She is an accomplished public speaker, was one of the Speakers and Experts at the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs conference, and was featured in the member spotlight on the IAAP Edmonton Chapter website. Wendy engages in regular yoga practice and is an avid lover of music and literature.
E-mail: wrabel@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Wendy's Testimonials »
SAFINA RAYAR, Recruitment Consultant
Accounting (temporary contract)
Born and raised in Edmonton, Safina pursued a diploma in professional writing from Grant MacEwan University. Working in retail, Safina worked her way up to managing large volume stores with a staff of 30 employees. Safina got the "recruiting bug" working initially for an IT Recruitment Firm in British Columbia prior to making the move back to Edmonton. She joined a boutique firm in Edmonton until she was discovered by The Headhunters. Safina is concentrating on the Accounting and Finance space recruiting for temporary positions. Finding the candidates with technical skill and personality fit is key to Safina's business.
Safina spends every second of her spare time with her husband, their 2 year old daughter and their dog Romeo.
E-mail: srayar@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Safina's Testimonials »
E-mail: wrabel@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Wendy's Testimonials »
TERRI-LYNN ANDERSON, Client Services Administrator
Terri-Lynn joined The Headhunters as our Client Services Administrator in July 2011. She has country roots, raised in Onoway, Alberta, and brought her talents to the Edmonton area where she had a successful career in customer service as a top retail manager for over three years. Terri-Lynn decided to enter the administrative field and was referred to The Headhunters during her job search. She has become a vital part of our team, providing essential administrative and accounting support.
When she is not managing the reception area of the Edmonton office you can find Terri-Lynn rollerblading, snowboarding, spending Saturdays at the farmer's market, or playing with her new puppy, Kira.
E-mail: tanderson@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Terri-Lynn's Testimonials »
OUR VANCOUVER TEAM
GREG FORD, Managing Partner & VP, Pacific Region
Greg is the Managing Partner & Vice President for the Pacific Region of The Headhunters Inc. Prior to this, he worked as a Partner at Canada's premiere executive search firm, and as Vice-President, Vancouver for one of the largest full-service recruitment firms in Canada. His clients have included many Fortune 500 companies such as IBM, Microsoft, Nortel, Bell, Telus, Encana, TD Bank, CIBC, Deloitte, PWC, Weyerhaeuser, and more.
Greg holds two undergraduate degrees as well as a Masters degree in Workplace Learning. He has taught at the post-secondary level, and is a frequent speaker and author. His articles have been published in CMA Management magazine, People Talk, Canadian HR Reporter, and Workplace Today. Along with renowned speaker Dr. John Sullivan from San Francisco State University, Greg co-wrote the book Catch Them if You Can! How Any Manager Can Win the War for Talent in the Global Labor Shortage.
A runner, skier, golfer, and avid traveler (through 35 countries worldwide), he lives with his wife and three children in North Vancouver.
E-mail: gford@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Greg's Testimonials »
DAVE BANNS, Principal & Recruitment Consultant
Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Sales
Dave, a Principal with The Headhunters, holds a BBA in Marketing and an MBA in Global Management. Dave started his recruitment career in the fast-paced business world of London, England where he successfully helped grow a start-up search consultancy. After several years of recruiting on a global scale and travelling throughout Europe, Dave relocated back to Vancouver where he focused on the Engineering, Construction and Sales industry while with one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. Dave currently works with several global as well as small firms looking to make strategic hires through a consultative approach. His technical knowledge and vast network, coupled with the ability to find the right cultural fit, has been invaluable to growing firms throughout Western Canada.
Prior to entering the recruitment world, Dave was the Business Department Head at a local secondary school. In his spare time, if not travelling, Dave enjoys playing hockey, golf, basketball, tennis and skiing.
E-mail: dbanns@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Dave's Testimonials »
ALLISON FORD, Principal & Recruitment Consultant
Marketing
Allison has more than 20 years of business development and marketing experience. Her degree from the University of Alberta led her to roles as Project Manager for employers of choice such as IBM, Travel Alberta and the Government of Ontario. She then advanced to become the first Sales Planning Coordinator and Sales Trainer at The Edmonton Journal. In Vancouver Allison built an excellent reputation as a project management consultant with a specialty in Health and Wellness marketing, as two of her projects for the North Vancouver Recreation Commission and the District of West Vancouver have won provincial Program Excellence awards.
Allison specializes in the recruitment of Marketing professionals. Hiking, pilates and relaxing at the cabin with her family are her favorite pursuits.
E-mail: aford@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Allison's Testimonials »
STEPHEN RACE, Principal & Talent Assessment Consultant
Stephen has specialized in the assessment of individuals and organizations for the past 13 years. He has worked with clients ranging from start-up businesses to Fortune 500 organizations (Accenture, SAP, Telus, Epcor, Finning, Fountain Tire, Best Buy/Future Shop) by measuring and predicting the degree of fit between people, job requirements and organizational culture. He has created award winning job matching tools, corporate culture assessments, pre-employment assessment systems and has managed career development programs for executives and high potential managers in the telecom, technology and financial services industries.
Stephen has proven results helping organizations decrease turnover, lower hiring and training costs, reduce safety-related incidents, increase productivity, strengthen employee morale and team cohesion, and enhance customer satisfaction. He has helped them define, hire and promote according to the best fit for THEIR unique culture and job requirements. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the University of British Columbia, Canada and a Master of Science (Occupational Psychology) from the University of London, UK.
E-mail: srace@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Stephen's Testimonials »
CARLY FAIRHURST, Branch Manager/Senior Recruitment Consultant
Office Personnel
Carly grew up in the Vancouver area before moving to Victoria where she completed her bachelors degree at the University of Victoria with a major in Psychology and a minor in Economics. Upon completion of her degree, she pursued and secured a career in recruitment in the United Kingdom. Her diverse experience as a recruiter in Europe laid the foundation of a career marked by top performance, drive, and an understanding of both local and international markets.
Carly returned to Canada in 2009 where she continued her career as a senior recruitment consultant. After recruiting in various sectors such as architecture, mechanical and electrical and construction, she found her niche specializing in office personnel. A combination of strong networking skills, interviewing close to 800 top notch candidates a year and her ability to engage and understand people make her an asset to any client.
E-mail: cfairhurst@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Carly's Testimonials »
IOANA BUCSA, Recruitment Consultant
Accounting Operations and Office Personnel (temporary contract)
Ioana arrived from Romania to Canada 6 years ago. With a degree in Industrial Management and Human Resources and courses attended for a Masters Degree in Communication and Human Resources, as soon she arrived in Canada she pursued her dream of working in the recruitment field. Now she has almost 6 years of recruiting experience with focus on Accounting and Finance, Skilled Trades and Industrial Management, Administrative support for both permanent and contract roles. Ioana has established great relationships with clients, got to earn their trust and they soon got to realize that her strongest skills are in understanding their needs and the ability of finding the perfect candidate for the role. Specialized in Contract Accounting and Finance, Ioana feels she can really relate to the candidate and client needs as she used to be an accountant in a high pressure high volume environment.
Ioana was also a volunteer for Rotary International- a non profit organization whose main purpose was helping those in needs and is an Alumni member of AIESEC (International Association of Students in Economics and Management).
E-mail: ibucsa@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Ioana's Testimonials »
GEORGIA HARPER, Recruitment Consultant
Accounting Operations (permanent)
Georgia comes to The Headhunters with a background in network television casting. She has worked with clients such as ABC, Fox Television, NBC, Warner Brothers, and AMC and on shows that were nominated for an Emmy award in the Casting category. She is thrilled to make the transition to recruiting and to facilitate the successful pairing of candidates and roles.
Born and raised in Vancouver, she spent more than ten years in the film and television industry, working as an actor and then as a Casting Associate. Georgia studied classically as an actor at the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal and has a certificate in Marketing Management from BCIT.
Georgia is an avid cook who ignores recipes entirely. She spends her spare time traveling near and far with her husband.
E-mail: gharper@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Georgia's Testimonials »
RACHEL KENNY, Recruitment Consultant
Accounting Operations and Office Personnel (temporary contract)
Rachel hails from Ireland where she undertook a Degree in Economics and Sociology in University College Dublin, after which she was awarded a Masters In Business Management from Ireland's leading business school, the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business.
Upon completion of her studies she secured a position in a two year financial graduate programme within one of the Irish Banks. She has worked across varied business divisions, gaining considerable experience and qualified as a Financial Advisor from the School of Professional Finance, Ireland.
Rachel has always loved travel and wanted to pursue a career abroad to gain International experience. Earlier this year she enjoyed some time to travel around Asia, Australia and New Zealand and has arrived permanently in Vancouver to work for The Headhunters.
Rachel has a passion for singing and has recorded two Cd's for charity with her choral group in Ireland. She also has a love for team sports such as tag rugby and notably cricket where she has represented her country at underage level.
E-mail: rkenny@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Rachel's Testimonials »
SAM LAWSON, Recruitment Consultant
Sales
Building relationships and communicating are Sam's inherent strengths; these two attributes continue to be at the forefront of his achievements. Sam is able to quickly build and maintain close working relationships, resulting in confidence and trust. With these skills Sam intends to provide high quality long-term service.
Sam was born and raised in Vancouver, where he enjoyed success as a competitive swimming and won multiple national medals, but later headed east to study at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario. Since then Sam has made a profession of understanding and fulfilling the unique needs of individuals and has proved his sales effectiveness with large institutions such as ScotiaMcleod and National Bank of Canada.
Relating with each and every client and candidate is a mandatory exercise. When not asking poignant questions, Sam can be found swimming, cycling, or running.
E-mail: slawson@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Sam's Testimonials »
KRISTY PENNOCK, Recruitment Consultant
Accounting & Finance
Kristy grew up in the Okanagan but has called Vancouver home since moving here for business school 11 years ago. Since then Kristy has worked for marquee brands such as Ryders Eyewear, the Vancouver Canucks and Aritzia in purchasing, management and operations. With a broad background in business, Kristy has managed teams as large as 115 people, has opened new locations and pitched to some of Vancouvers largest companies. Working with these brands has put Kristy in contact with owners and decision makers throughout the city and she brings these connections to the recruiting business.
As an avid hockey fan and player, runner and social butterfly, Kristy can often be found out and about in the city she loves.
Kristy specializes in the recruitment of accounting and finance professionals, working with the top 20% of candidates in order to place them with companies of choice.
E-mail: kpennock@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Kristy's Testimonials »
CHAMINDA WIJESUNDERA, Recruitment Consultant
Industrial & Technical Sales
Chaminda spent his childhood in the UK, after which he moved to Ontario, Canada. He holds a BA in Fine Arts from York University and a BBA in Entrepreneurship from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. After some early years of travelling and teaching internationally, he returned to Canada and is proud to call Vancouver home.
Chaminda also loves sales. He has spent the past five years in business development roles in the insurance, marketing and most recently the recruitment sector, and focused on developing a solid base of industrial/construction contacts in Western Canada. He genuinely enjoys all aspects of his profession - since he gets to talk sales, source sales executives and place them with sales managers all day long.
Outside of work he's an avid snowboarder, surfer and rock climber. He'll gladly take off anywhere sunny or snowy with a board in hand.
E-mail: cwijesundera@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Chaminda's Testimonials »
JULIE ALLISON, Client Services Administrator
Julie grew up in southern Saskatchewan and completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary. After trying out Calgary, Toronto and Victoria, she is now calling Vancouver home and loving every minute of it! With the combined areas of study and research in Human Resources and Psychology, Julie developed a passion for helping people find the right job with the right company.
Valuing community involvement, Julie takes the time to be involved in organizations such as the Distress Centre, SPCA and the Human Resources Management Association. You also may meet her running along the sea wall or challenging herself with a new yoga pose from time to time.
E-mail: jallison@theheadhunters.ca
Testimonials: Read Julie's Testimonials »
