Our Team

Dr. E.M. (Ted) Vokes

 

 

 

Executive Partner

Head of Applied Theory Development

Ted has over 30 years of experience as an in-house and external consultant, trainer, and facilitator to a diverse range of for-profit, non-profit, and public sector organizations -- from the automotive, mold making, airline, power generation, petrochemical, agricultural, and telecommunications industries, to corrections, education, mental health, child welfare, hospital, public health and first responder sectors. Ted specializes in leadership development, strategic planning, dispute resolution, intervention in and prevention of workplace violence, identifying and counteracting individual and systemic abuses of power, and culture transformation.

Ted has a Specialized Honours B.A. in Psychology from York University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Applied Social Psychology (specialization in Industrial-Organizational Psychology) from the University of Windsor. His practical leadership and managerial experience include serving as Second-in-Command of an Air Force officer candidate training school, as Executive Director for a mental health centre, and as Executive Partner of Vokes Leadership Group.

Ted teaches undergraduate and graduate students in the Psychology Department and the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor. In addition, he is a lead Trainer, Facilitator, and Executive Coach for St. Clair College's Micro-Credential Certificate Programs in Leadership & Culture Management.

Ted thinks he’s pretty cool because he likes to use big words like “tumultuous”, "concomitant", and “deleterious” when he writes reports. No one else is impressed.

Dr. Amir Reza Talaei

 

 

 

 

Senior Partner

Head of Psychometrics & Applied Research

Amir has a B.Sc. in Industrial Management, an M.A. in General Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Applied Social Psychology (specializing in Industrial-Organizational Psychology). Prior to becoming a Partner with our Practice, he held a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Psychology Department at the University of Windsor.

His main interests and expertise revolve around personality in the workplace (with a focus on ‘personality derailers’ or ‘the dark side’ of personality), leader and employee counterproductive work behaviours, motivational processes, change leadership, and organizational neuroscience. As our Senior Partner, he is responsible for Psychometrics and Applied Research. He keeps us on the cutting-edge of social and neuroscientific advancements. He and his Applied Research Team are responsible for identifying and countermanding management pseudo-science and developing applied theories that translate social and neuroscience advancements into practical solutions for leadership and organizational challenges our clients routinely face. He and his team are skilled in both qualitative and quantitative methods in support of their research and applied theory development.

Amir is a lead Trainer, Facilitator, and Executive Coach for St. Clair College’s Micro-Credential Certificate Programs in Leadership & Culture Management. In addition, he teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in the Psychology Department and Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor.

Amir thinks he is pretty cool because he knows what you are thinking. As it turns out he’s usually right. #howdoesheknowthat? #getoutofmyheaddoc #carefulwhatyouthink

Anjni Vokes, HBA, MCPM, MMBA

 

 

 

Managing Partner

Head of Operations & Client Relations

Anjni has over 9 years of consulting and managerial experience. She has an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Windsor and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from St. Clair College, and a Mini-MBA Certificate from the Odette School of Business. She has facilitated over 500 learning labs in support of leadership development and organizational change objectives. Her expertise lies in Leadership, Culture, and Power Analyses, detecting and managing High Conflict Personalities in the workplace, and Career Development Coaching.

As Managing Partner, she oversees Human Resources, client relations, business development, and project management.

Anjni is a lead Trainer, Facilitator, and Executive Coach for St. Clair College’s Micro-Credential Certificate Programs in Leadership & Culture Management.

Anjni thinks she is pretty cool because she has more letters behind her name than anyone in the Practice, and as “Managing Partner” she gets to tell us what to do and where to go.

Susan McBride Friesen, BA, LLB

 

 

 

 

Leadership & HR Consultant

Head of HR Consulting & Compliance

Susan has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a bachelor of laws degree, both from the University of Windsor. Susan has over 30 years of experience working in Human Resources, leadership development, training, safety and injury/disability management, social responsibility, immigration, proactive policies, and legal compliance.

 As a senior executive in a large agricultural company, she worked as Vice President of Human Resources and Legal Compliance, overseeing over 2300 people and combining her human resources experience with legal best practices.‍

Susan has taught employment law at St. Clair College, been an active Vice Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee at the Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, and been involved in advocacy work in Ottawa. One of her favourite assignments is working with and mentoring of future leaders. Susan advocates for best employer practices and strategies to avoid employee dissatisfaction and legal issues.‍

Susan thinks she is cool because she is a lawyer that works to prevent clients from costly litigation.

Jason Koornneef

Jason Koornneef, HBA, HDip

 

 

 

Associate Practitioner

Head of IT Solutions

Jason comes to our Practice with over two decades of business management and consulting experience spanning several continents. He has an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Windsor and a Tourism and Travel (High Honours) diploma from Seneca College. Accordingly, he doubles as our in-house travel agent for all of our international work.

 As an Associate Practitioner, Jay is a key member of our Applied Research and Theory Development Team. In this regard, he played a key role in generating content in support of our client's response to the pandemic. In addition, he co-facilitates learning labs with our clients as well as courses that we deliver through the University of Windsor and St. Clair College. He also oversees technical logistics and resource positioning for our Practice in Organization Development and Change Management. 

Jay thinks he's pretty cool because he's travelled, worked, and sometimes fled more countries than the rest of us (combined!).

Halina Hoang

 

 

 

 

Administrative Assistant

Head of Logistics & Scheduling

Halina is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in accounting from the University of Windsor. She is on track to gain her CPA certification and hopes to continue her education in the MBA-PAS program.

Providing administrative support to the team, Halina ensures everyone can focus on what they do best. She supports the team using her organization and accounting skills to help the team with scheduling, accounting, and administration tasks. Halina loves innovation and is always looking for new ways to improve processes and herself through new technology or skills.

When not in the office, you can find Halina immersing herself in various activities that enrich her life and broaden her perspectives. Whether she's exploring the latest trends, attending insightful events, or just enjoying the sun. Halina is always seeking opportunities for growth and connection. Her values of integrity, professionalism, and authenticity shine in her everyday and professional life.

Halina thinks she is pretty cool because she can sew and tailor her own clothes and build her own computers from scratch.

Want to learn more?

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your leadership development and culture management needs!