Teams
Management

Joy Neuhold
Co-Owner, Senior Training
& Consulting Manager
Joy’s entrepreneur journey began while working in a corporate environment, where she worked on internal projects and training. However, she saw a gap – many of her colleagues returned from external training and couldn’t connect what they learned to their day-to-day roles.
So, in 2002, she started what is now The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company and never looked back. She has surrounded herself with an amazing, hardworking and passionate team that shares her zeal for excellence.
Fun Fact: Joy loves adventure, from taking a bobsled run in Lake Placid to canyoneering in Utah.

Jon Neuhold
Co-Owner, Business Developer
& Consulting Manager
Jon joined the Great Canadian team in 2005, focusing on Excel and Access training and development.
Over the past 15 years, he has built databases in use at companies both large and small. Jon is exceptional at the details and learning how each of our clients operate to serve their needs better. Jon also helps with our business development, IT support and training facility design.
Fun Fact: Jon combines his love of Excel and hockey to dominate his local fantasy hockey league with back-to-back championships.
Training & Learning

Christine Irons
Senior Software Instructor
& Courseware Designer
Before moving to Ottawa in 2018, Christine worked in Human Resources at York University for over 20 years as an instructional designer, trainer, and learning specialist.
Christine has a knack for making even the most complicated concepts practical and exciting! Our students love her engaging training. We love Christine’s passion for developing new courses and ensuring our courses are useful for today’s workplace.
Fun Fact: Christine is the voice behind the Ottawa-based SOS Band – The ABBA Experience.

Joel Silverstone
Senior Professional Skills Facilitator
& Coach
Joel began as a professional actor, then taught acting. He was surprised to see business professionals coming to the classes, and learned there was a communication skills gap in business.
For over 20 years, Joel has worked with leaders and their teams from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs worldwide to build their awareness, confidence and influencing skills to be better communicators. Joel also hosts The Great Canadian Leadership Podcast, one of Canada’s premier leadership podcasts.
Fun Fact: Joel is a competitive obstacle course racer and competed in the World Championships in his age group.

Gloria Ngwenya
Software Instructor
Hi, I’m Gloria! I’m a multi-passionate individual who loves to learn and to teach! I was always the tech person in whatever job I did until I ended up working full-time in computers in 2016. Technology has transformed our world and it is my mission to show everyone who’s willing how technology can change their life.
I feel very honored to be part of the Great Canadian Training and Consulting team and I learn so much every day.
Fun Fact: I’m a part time florist and make-up artist.
Training Management

Erica Baillie
Training Manager
Erica joined the team in October 2020 as a Training Coordinator. She enjoys being on the front line, chatting with all our wonderful clients over the phone and by email. She works with the team and our customers to ensure that training runs smoothly.
Erica is amazing at coming up with creative ways to get in front of our clients and has a passion for creating a fantastic customer service experience.
Fun Fact: She’s a certified Tea Sommelier!

Amy Hope
Training Coordinator & Editor
Amy has been with The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company since 2017. She has over 15 years of administrative experience and is especially great at helping clients organize the training that’s just right for them.
Amy is also a trained proofreader and editor and puts her detail-oriented mindset to good use!
Fun Fact: Amy is fluent in Spanish and has lived in Panama and Ecuador.

Anna Talalaeva
Training Coordinator
Hi, I’m Anna! Before my big move to Canada in January 2020, I worked as a Training and Development Coordinator in big and well-known companies in Russia for over 7 years. I gained lots of experience in training organization and coordination, communication, and relationship building. I like communicating with people and helping them to reach their goals. Every time seeing the result, I feel I did something important even if I helped only one person.
Organization of events has always been a part of my life from my childhood. Starting from the age of 10 I planned all my family events including all the activities. So, I love being involved in the organizational process, planning training events and conferences, thinking about the details, and applying best practices to make the perfect training event.
Fun Fact: I have been studying music for 15 years. When I was a student of the Sociology faculty, I had 2 creative tours to India and Egypt. I sang Russian romances a cappella and gave interviews to local TV channels.

Avery Ash
Training Coordinator
Hi, I’m Avery! I have recently received the opportunity to join the team as a Training Coordinator! I love helping people and providing great customer service on the front lines. I am excited to be part of such an awesome team at The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company. I look forward to meeting all of our amazing clientele over the phone!
In my spare time, I love to try new escape rooms!
Fun Fact: I have a passion for theatre, and taught Musical Theatre to kids!

Debbie Alas Ordoñez
Training Coordinator
Debbie joined our team in May 2022 as a Training Coordinator. She graduated from Algonquin College in 2012, where she studied accounting. Her previous work experience ranges from teaching online to working at a financial institution, working for an accounting company, and doing some transcription and administrative work.
We love her attention to detail and focus on getting things just right.
Fun Fact: Debbie is multilingual - her native language is Spanish. She did some schooling in French, learned English at age eight and is now learning sign language.

Nina Vasileva
Training Coordinator, Partners and Contracts
Nina joined our team in 2022 as our Training Coordinator, Partners and Contracts. She focuses on organizing training for our training partners and large accounts. She joins us with a wide range of experience, from triaging for a group of healthcare clinics as a medical assistant, to team leading in a thriving call centre.
Nina’s ability to relate to people and communicate clearly allows her to work well with our clients and partners.
Fun Fact: Nina has lived in 3 continents!
Marketing, Administrations
& Operations

Jim Irons
Accounts Manager
Jim’s background in operations makes him our resident expert in helping new clients determine the right solution for them! Not only does he maintain our Ottawa lab, he also maintains our relationships, making sure our clients are satisfied with the service that they receive.
Fun Fact: Jim has been drumming for most of his life, and has recorded and performed for over 40 years.

Melanie Ziltener
Administrative Assistant
Mel loves assisting our team behind the scenes so that things can run smoothly. Her administrative experience spans over 15 years and many industries, from small businesses to large organizations.
Fun Fact: In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, gardening, and reading.
Development

Yvann Argentin
Full Stack Developer
Yvann completed his first paid web developer gig at age 15 and never looked back since. He studied computer science at the University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland, while continuing to work as a freelancer.
He has collaborated with both small and large companies, assisting them in their digital transition as well as creating a variety of custom software to fit specific needs and requirements.
Fun Fact: Yvann is a travel addict, with more than 39 countries visited on 5 continents. When he's not working, you can find him volunteering or kitesurfing somewhere near the coast.

Ezequiel Chalupa
Web Developer
Ezequiel completed a three-year Computer Engineering program at the UNI (Nicaraguan Engineering University) and then studied English and Marketing Accounting for 2 years.
Ezequiel is diligent, detail-oriented and an asset to our team!
Fun Fact: His last name, Chalupa, was his great grandfather’s popular nickname that his family legally adopted as their last name.