OUR TEAM
Lochaven Consulting has a unique combination of skills and experiences as economic development and management consulting experts. Over the years, they have built an enviable track record both domestically and internationally through a diverse client base that recognizes the level of expertise Lochaven Consulting brings to the table.
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Wayne Robert, MBA
Principal and Economic/Management Consultant
Wayne Robert is an MBA graduate of Royal Roads University and has been certified as a small and medium, enterprise (SME) international business counsellor through the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Over the past twenty plus years, Wayne has built an enviable record of successful consulting to private enterprises, governments and NGO’s. Wayne has extensive experience consulting to private businesses and communities throughout North America and Internationally (such as but not limited to the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Poland, European Union). He is particularly noted for his capacity and capability to design tailored, actionable solutions in response to a range of circumstances and contexts while working with stakeholders with very diverse cultural backgrounds and adept at designing and delivering pragmatic strategies and programs that capture the collective emphasis of a variety of interests yet remain pertinent and focused on specific circumstances.
Chris Ulmer, RPP, MCIP, CNU-A
Community Planning Consultant
Chris is a Principal at Urban systems and a Community Planning Consultant with experience in long range planning, regional collaboration, community development, and public policy. Chris focuses on sustainable community development, recognizing communities as complex adaptive systems, and has worked with a variety of municipalities in Western Canada and throughout northeast Georgia in the United States since 1999. Chris is a strong communicator and experienced in managing projects from inception through adoption for both rural and urban municipalities of various sizes. His focus is on building collaborative processes that are inclusive of the municipal and stakeholder perspectives.
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Nicholas Schmidt, MBA
Economic/Management Consultant
Nick is an Economic Development professional dedicated to delivering exceptional service and results to his clients. He has been instrumental in completing and implementing impactful economic development strategies and projects across Canada, focused on private sector development, specifically in the realms of inbound investment, citizen attraction, tourism development, and business retention and expansion. Nick’s passion lies in assisting businesses, organizations, community groups, and non-profits, to build capacity, achieve their goals, and reach their long-term potential.
His background in Entrepreneurial Development has seen him develop and deliver programs within business planning, marketing planning, and other subjects in a one-on-one and workshop setting. He also has experience designing, leading, and managing several community-wide projects with a focus on community economic development activities. Nick is driven to solve complex issues and achieve success with clients through a collaborative approach to the shifting landscapes affecting today’s economic realities.
Raphael Costa, MPA, PhD
Economic Development Consultant
Raphael is an Economic Development and Public Management professional who helps communities build local and organizational capacity and seize their unique opportunities.
With more than ten years in the not-for-profit and municipal sector in Local Economic Development, Raphael has helped communities develop and implement strategies, programs, and policies designed to maximize community potential. He has developed strategic plans and worked in entrepreneurship development, social enterprise, sector and cluster development in innovation, manufacturing, the creative industries, and placemaking.
Raphael holds a Doctorate focused on community and economic development and is completing a Master's in Public Administration. He is active in the Economic Development profession as a member of the board for the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC), and as an expert in cluster development and social enterprise for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) international programs.
Dean Whibley
Management Consultant
Dean is a seasoned entrepreneur having started, developed, and sold several businesses over the past twenty-five years. His most recent business sale in 2018 marked the third time he has developed and sold a start-up to a publicly traded company. Though many of his start-ups have been technology-focused, Dean’s experience spans many industries as he created value for financial, retail, tourism, and service-based businesses. While overseeing his own companies Dean has created and implemented strategy within marketing, operations, finance, and human resources within a variety of environments.
In his years of experience, Dean has found that he excels at bridging the gap between technology and business. He enjoys working through problems and producing sound solutions for his clients. This has driven him to shift his focus to assisting entrepreneurs through consulting services and investing in their companies. As a consultant, Dean enjoys collaborating with industry experts and entrepreneurs as they work through the challenges that inevitability arises from starting and running a business.
Barry Christiansen, MBA
Human Development/
Management Consultant
Barry is a Certified Coach and Consultant that brings over thirty years of business experience with a unique combination in Leadership, Sales Management and Human Resources Strategy. He has held executive roles in Retail and Commercial Banking, General Insurance and Human Resources. Recognized as an exceptional coach and leader, he understands the critical connection of employee development and organization results.
Barry completed a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching in 2016. He holds an MBA in Executive Leadership from Royal Roads University, a BCOM from the University of British Columbia and Financial Planning designation.
Dr. Tas McGrew MBA, DBA
Economic/Management Consultant
With an MBA and a DBA (doctorate in business), Tas is driven to build new economic models and solutions that help communities thrive.
Tas is an entrepreneur and business consultant who has owned and operated several companies both locally and globally, including an all-women's commercial painting company and a socially responsible fashion label. Further, Linda has worked as a director of non-profits, a professor, and a writer. She has worked and lived in China, France, the USA, and Indonesia.