Our Team

To get in touch with us, email info@ivydeanconsulting.ca and we’ll make sure it gets to the right person.

Click on the photos below to learn more about our powerhouse team.

In 2021, Jacq founded Ivy + Dean Consulting after experiencing a decade of difficulties finding consultants who shared their values and approach to non-profit leadership, and who understood local realities in the Prairies and Northern Canada. As Chief Executive Officer, Jacq acts as the principal visionary and strategic leader of the company and is the driving force behind our mission to bring equity, social justice, and anti-oppression into the non-profit boardroom. They appreciate being able to share their time between Yellowknife, NWT and Regina, SK  and work with a wide range of clients throughout the country as a Principal Consultant and “jacq-of-all-trades”.

Originally from Yellowknife, Jacq has over a decade of experience leading non-profit organizations. They co-founded what is now known as the Northern Mosaic Network, the only 2SLGBTQ+ human service agency in the Northwest Territories, and proudly served as its first Executive Director from 2011 to 2017. They simultaneously served as the Executive & Administrative Coordinator for the United Way Northwest Territories from 2015 to 2017. 

With parents originally from North Battleford and Outlook, SK, Jacq was particularly excited to move to the province in 2017. Upon moving south, they became actively involved in the non-profit sector in the Prairies working as Executive Director of UR Pride Centre, and serving on the boards of Briarpatch Magazine and TransSask Support Services. Jacq is a registered social worker in Saskatchewan, and holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum & Instruction.

Over the past decade, you may have seen Jacq being involved in a wide range of organizations including Saskatchewan Queer Entrepreneurs & Professionals, Fora: Network for Change, University of Regina Alumni Association, The Enchanté Network, Fierté Canada Pride, la Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française, SpeakNorth (previously Spoken Word Canada), and Northwords NWT.

When they aren’t busy working or volunteering, you can find them drinking too much Diet Pepsi, reliving their childhood on Neopets.com, and spending time with friends and family.

As Chief Operations Officer, Risa is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of Ivy + Dean Consulting. She’s also a Principal Consultant, serving diverse non-profit clients with a focus on facilitation and training, good governance, public and private fund development strategies (including writing kick-ass grants), human resource planning and guidance, and supporting the development of confident and effective non-profit leadership through mentorship and coaching. She is passionate about supporting non-profit staff and board members in developing strategic, sustainable, and just approaches to their work that contribute to strengthening organizations and the communities they serve. While Risa can (and does) work with diverse non-profits, her background in multidisciplinary arts organizations makes her an especially great fit for clients in the creative sector. 

Born and raised in rural Saskatchewan, Risa is passionate about increasing capacity for oft-overlooked and misunderstood communities across Canada. Risa came to Ivy + Dean in 2023 with over two decades’ experience in the non-profit sector, 15 years of which saw her in senior leadership roles. Her career began as a student at the University of British Columbia where she immersed herself in roles at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, and ArtsStarts in Schools. Upon returning to Treaty 4 territory after completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History and Visual Art, Risa contributed to Saskatchewan’s vibrant arts scene through positions at SK Arts, the Regina Folk Festival, and the MacKenzie Art Gallery. From 2015 to 2022, she served as Executive Director of Common Weal Community Arts, a provincial organization dedicated to socially-engaged practice. In 2022, Risa took on a new challenge in the public health sector, seeing Planned Parenthood Regina through a period of rebuilding as their Executive Director. 

Risa is an active volunteer and oft sought-after board member who has served in executive roles on the Board of Directors of Briarpatch Magazine, Saskatchewan Arts Alliance, Lumsden Beach Camp, and Queen City Hub. She is the current Regina Folk Festival President.

When she’s not working, Risa is a travel-loving, adventure-seeking bibliophile who finds joy in live music, bold colours, and the expansive prairie landscape. She lives in Regina’s Heritage neighbourhood with her wife and children.

With a robust background encompassing front-line service delivery, education development and facilitation, program coordination, advocacy, and research, Harmony brings a wide range of experience and knowledge to Ivy + Dean. They are the Administrative Manager, working as part of the leadership team and playing a crucial role in overseeing high-level administrative processes and ensuring efficient day-to-day operations by providing crucial support for Executives. Additionally, as an Associate, Harmony provides broad support to non-profit clients across the country.

Harmony currently calls Treaty 4 home, but has experienced life in both rural and urban parts of Saskatchewan. She is an avid continuous learner with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology and certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Innovation from the University of Regina. Their lived experiences and formal background have led them to embody a passionate commitment to social justice, with a dedicated focus on amplifying rural queer voices and advocating for disabled 2SLGBTQIA+ people. 

When Harmony is not working, you can find them crocheting, watching reality TV, taking naps, and spending time with loved ones.

As Senior Consultant, Amanda provides queer-informed and equity focused support to non-profit clients across the country with a focus on designing and delivering comprehensive queer and trans education programs and training, skilled facilitation for consultations, events, conferences, and meetings, policy development, and strategic planning. She is an experienced leader, educator, and facilitator who is passionate about building sustainable, supportive, and just environments.

Amanda’s experience includes working within the private and public sector, including serving as Interim Executive Director at OUTSaskatoon, Saskatoon’s primary 2SLGBTQ+ organization. Outside of her professional work, Amanda volunteers as a board member for Quint Development Corporation, is the Committee Chair for the City of Saskatoon’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, and actively participates in community events and advocacy work.

When she isn’t working or volunteering her time, you can find her travelling or camping with her partner, laughing with her friends, or concocting schemes to create a better world.

As Senior Consultant, Lana brings over 20 years of experience in non-profit, governmental, and entrepreneurial roles. Her 25 years in Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Traditional Territory in Dawson City, Yukon, give her deep insights into the needs of non-profit organizations across the North. 

Lana has founded two non-profits and developed numerous programs in health, wellness, and music education across Saskatchewan and the Yukon. She’s particularly proud of founding Yukon Girls Rock Camp, which amplifies the voices of girls, women, and gender non-conforming individuals through music. With 35 years of coaching experience, she is also passionate about supporting non-profits in making a meaningful impact. Lana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Studies and owns Rebalance Kinetics, where she helps people manage recurring pain and live with balance. She has served with various Yukon, and international organizations, including Dawson City Music Festival, Girls Rock Camp Alliance, Yukonstruct, and is the current President of the Dawson City Arts Society and Vice-President of the Klondike Development Organization. She is also on the Governance Committee for the Yukon School of Visual Arts.

As a biracial, second-generation Filipina-Canadian, Lana’s approach is rooted in accessibility, collaboration, and equity. She believes in the power of collective voices for healing and change, and is dedicated to integrating anti-oppressive and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) principles into her work. Born in a farming community on Treaty 6 Territory and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan on Treaty 4, Lana enjoys life on the Yukon River with her husband and dog, Pippen. She’s a self-taught musician who loves playing in local bands and organizing events.

As Technical Coordinator, Nova is our in-house tech support wizard, supporting the team and clients by providing administrative and technical support. She is an administrator, tech consultant, and website designer with a passion for making technology more accessible to individuals without an IT background. Whether it’s live technical support for large meetings, website design, or easy to understand documentation and training for new tools, Nova is dedicated to ensuring that behind the scenes technical issues and worries are minimized or eliminated so that projects can focus on what’s really important: the people.

Nova studied computer science at the University of Regina while also working there as an audio visual technician and producing live televised classes to students across Saskatchewan before it was commonplace. She has a special interest in cyber security, as well as reading, music, and videogames. She’s gone from designing rudimentary HTML websites in elementary school to the page you’re reading this on.

What we’re looking for

• Passionate about equity and social justice
• Keen eye for detail
• Extensive experience in the non-profit sector
• Loves their community