Achievers Team

Stephanie Mathews
Director of Training and Business Development

Dependable, caring, intelligent, committed, and a great sense of humor.

These five characteristics are the first things that come to mind when describing Stephanie Mathews and have guided her in all areas of her life. Stephanie has proven success in every phase of her life. After graduating from the top-ranked Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management program at Michigan State University's Business School, she achieved 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry with some of the most prestigious hotels and resorts in the world. She began her career at the Five Diamond, Five Star hotel, The Hilton and Short Hills in New Jersey and worked for many other prestigious hotels and chains, such as Sheraton, The Colonnade Hotel in Boston and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Stephanie worked her way up in her Hotel Sales career and most notably was the Director of Global Accounts for business travel for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Stephanie's professional career and educational achievements are only surpassed by her successes as a mother of two, wife, loyal family member,friend, and community volunteer.

Once Stephanie becomes involved in a project, her five defining characteristics ensure that the project not only is completed, but it exceeds the expectations of everyone involved.

Chrissie Bergstrom
Director of Global Assessment Services

When Chrissie speaks to you, you are immediately drawn to her because of her cheerful disposition and natural enthusiasm. Once you get to know her better, you realize that Chrissie is someone who always gives 100% and is an optimistic realist. Her friends will tell you that she has a wonderful quirky sense of humor that can make any situation fun.  And as Chrissie will tell you herself that there is a positive and negative to every situation.  And if something even as frightening as cancer can have a positive side, Chrissie will find it. Being a survivor has had a huge impact on Chrissie's life and she is truly happy to be here.

Growing up north of Boston with her parents and her brother, Chrissie studied Computer Science and Accounting. But once Chrissie set foot behind the front desk of the Appleton Inn, she was sold.  Her eagerness to be surrounded by people and the ability to help people has made her a natural for the industry. Chrissie loves the water and in her youth was a competitive swimmer for the US swim team for ten years, so it is no surprise that she currently lives with her husband and two children on the water in Lake Lanier. Chrissie always gives 100% - to her family, to her friends, to her co workers and to her clients.

Catherine, or Q as she is affectionately known to her three younger (handsome) brothers, is a source of light, laughter and love - what you see is authentic with Catherine.  Born in Saskatchatoon (as her 6 yr old charmster likes to call Saskatoon), Catherine came to the planet as a naturally curious gal (hence her nickname) asking questions of everyone around her. Her heart always filled with love and compassion for all creatures - including the many frogs left in the bathroom sink over the family's dinner hour!  Catherine's childhood was full of adventures along the riverbank, lying in grassy fields guessing the shapes of clouds and even trying to lasso pigs with bale binder twine.  Catherine's passion for learning about and connecting with people was ignited by her favourite teacher Mr Bedard who engaged his students enthusiastically about everything and anything from Shakespeare (acting out scenes on top of his desk) to the classic Catcher in the Rye.  Catherine has traveled the world and lived in many places across Canada. Today Catherine, her husband and romancer Danny, along with their two beautiful curious daughters call Alberta home.  Naturally, Catherine's enthusiasm and compassion led her to work in the hospitality industry where she has thrived for over 25 years.  She adores watching people learn, grow and experience their own "aha" moments.  Her facilitation and coaching allows her to connect with people at the very core of their being. Imagine receiving that gift every day; witnessing people step into their true authentic selves.

Catherine Burdett brings 25 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience to Achievers World Wide.  A career with Sheraton Hotels and Resorts in Canada culminated in the successful opening and positioning of the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire as the undisputed market leader since 1998. Catherine works with hotel clients in the economy, mid and upscale segments and is active on a national basis in sales/marketing and management consultancy, strategic planning, leadership and business development. She has served on the Alberta Tourism Education Council where she chaired both the Program Review and Standards Certification Committee.

Catherine is also a certified professional coach working with leaders at all levels in organizations to realize their true potential - both personally and professionally.  A graduate of the Coaches Training Institute's Co-Active coaching program at the University of Calgary, Catherine is a Director  on the Board of  the Calgary Association of Professional Coaches and a member of the International Coach Federation ( ICF).

Jeff Karslon
Certified Trainer and Managing Director EMEA

It was Robert Frost who once wrote..."Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the 'one less traveled' by, and that has made all the difference." This undoubtedly encapsulates Jeff's amazing journey over the past 30 years.   Jeff left his home town in Seattle at the young age of 18 to spend the next three decades traveling the globe, living in four different countries on two different continents, with three different languages while living and working in over 12 different cultures.  It is these life experiences that have made Jeff a firm believer in people.  His "can do" attitude shines through just about every aspect of his life.  His two beautiful daughters are living testimony that there is indeed nothing they can't do when they set their mind to it.  The words "I can't" quite simply do not exist in their vocabulary.

Jeff graduated from the University of Washington in 1988 with a BA degree in International Business.  He later went on to pursue his MBA at Pepperdine University in 1992.  He holds an Advanced Marketing Degree at Cornell University and is certified with HSMAI as a Certified Hospitality Sales Executive (CHSE) and Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME) and is also a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) with MPI.  His work experience began in the early 1980's working in Field Sales with Alaska Airlines in Guadalajara, Mexico.  In 1990 he moved over to the hotel industry where he spent the next twenty years in senior-level executive positions with Stouffer Hotels, IHG, Starwood, Hilton, and Guoman in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, the United States, and the United Kingdom.  His depth of sales experience includes Divisional Sales, Area Sales, Regional Sales, Global Sales, Property Sales, Reservations Sales, Resorts, City Hotels, Airport Hotels, Luxury Hotels, Upscale Properties, Owned, Managed, and Franchised properties.   Most recently Jeff served as Vice President, Global Sales for Guoman & Thistle Hotels in the United Kingdom.

Jeff concurrently works as Vice President, Global Accounts EMEA & Team Leader for ConferenceDirect based in London.  This keeps Jeff connected to the hospitality industry and also provides inside perspectives from a client point-of-view which are integrated into training sessions.  His success stories are highly contagious which is an integral part of every interaction

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Peggy is one of those people who even though she has a packed agenda, is still eager to sit with you and find out how you have been.  Growing up in bustling Quebec City, Peggy and her two sisters spent lazy summers at their cottage in New Brunswick.  It's easy to picture Peggy after a full day of exploring, sitting on the wharf and eating lobster while the fishing boats come in. Winters would find Peggy either zooming down the ski hills or curled up reading a great mystery novel.  Peggy is like a chameleon, changeable and adaptable to any setting. It is evident today as she is equally comfortable showing a newlywed couple their potential new home, facilitating a group of 16 eager sales participants, or managing her busy household of which includes a husband, two boisterous teenage boys and of course, Mac, the dog.  Peggy loves to interact with her  participants and enjoys sharing with them her own stories of her varied experiences in the hospitality industry over the years.   And, mais oui, Peggy can regale you with her fascinating stories in both French and English!!!

Since graduating from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management, Peggy has spent her entire career in the hotel industry.   Growing up speaking both English and French, she began her career with Delta Hotels, working in operations and sales, and then moved through progressive sales positions with Novotel Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Canadian Pacific Hotels.  For twelve years Peggy was a Global Account Director based in Toronto representing Fairmont, Raffles & Swissôtel brands, and consulting with clients to place their conferences in this portfolio worldwide.  She has since returned to the Fairmont Royal York as Corporate Sales Manager and continues to facilitate training workshops for Achievers.  She qualified for her residential real estate license in 2007.

Peggy is currently an active member and volunteer of MPI Toronto Chapter.  She has served as Chair of the Special Events Committee of the Canadian Society of Association Executives, Trillium Chapter, and is the proud recipient of the Chapter Service Excellence Award for 2007.  Peggy has personally achieved success in all Achievers workshops as a Fairmont employee, and is involved with the Achievers programs daily. Peggy has been employed with Fairmont 15 years, and has been facilitating Achievers workshops since 2007.

Lily Yinguin
Master Facilitator

‘Life is a journey.' This is Lily's favourite saying since she considers the life experience as important as the result. She loves to try new things and is curious about the stories of different people. However, there were wonders along the journey at a time ten years ago when she just graduated from university. Although she chose a job in one of the largest international book trading cooperation due to the love of reading, and although she fed all her spare time with swimming, drama, movies, exhibitions, reading books...basically all the things she's fond of; Lily still felt lost and empty from time to time.  There's no clear goal for this "fruitful" journey which resulted in a shallow and hollow experience. It did not change until she ran across the work of training which revealed a new world for her. Lily found the passion and firmly decided to be a life-long trainer. She loves how she communicates with people during workshops: respecting and inspiring each other; she loves sharing with them the picture of the wonderful world in her humorous, thoughtful and innovative way.

During Lily's eight years in training/consulting business, with thanks to BMW since they invited her to be the coach for their dealers' management team which opened another window of the world for her. Now she is also the coach for Microsoft Hi-potential Program, and the designated trainer for Delloitte.  Yes, life is a journey! Lily is always on the way: either on the way to explore new possibilities from one workshop to another, or on the way to adventure and enjoy the places of interests around the world. As Lily will tell you, the journey is full of surprise and fun, at the same time, she also gains the inside peace and joy that when you meet Lily, you will see how it radiates from her.

Sylvia loves people and food. And knowing Sylvia and her bubbly personality, it is no surprise that recess was her favourite subject at school.  She grew up the youngest in a busy household of 5 children and two cats aptly named Salt and Pepper. Growing up in Northern Ontario in a town with a population of only 160, Sylvia has fond memories of hanging out with her cousins.  The more people the better.  And where people gather, there will be food! One sentence that Sylvia says sums herself up is “I like to eat food.”  It is no surprise that her husband, Paul, is a Chef and her two lovely children as well as their blond lab, Wesley, enjoy their parent’s undertakings very much.  Since Sylvia likes to treat people as you would like to be treated and loves food, it is only natural that she is the co owner/manager of Bodega, a charming French Bistro in the heart of Baldwin Street in Toronto.  This is where Sylvia really shines – food and people!

Sylvia Biggs is co-owner/manager of Bodega Restaurant, a French bistro, on Baldwin Street in Toronto Ontario.  Previously Sylvia worked as a meeting planner with a Canadian association for 10 years.  Prior to that she was with Westin Hotels and Resorts for 13 years where she held various roles with the last position being a department head of a food and beverage outlet.  Sylvia has her earned her CAE designation and is a member of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association.

Shannon Pecora
Senior Assessor, Global Assessment Services

Shannon's favourite movie, The Princess Bride, seems like a perfect choice to describe Shannon.  A movie filled with adventure, love, mishaps and humour.  Shannon wouldn't be described as the fair maiden needing rescuing, but rather, the hero who loves to help others, uses great wit and has a sense of compassion. Born in Alberta as the only girl with two brothers (one older and one younger), Shannon enjoyed being the centre of attention.   Shannon loved to ride her horse, aptly named Regard me Lucky, and even completed her pooper scooper duties cheerfully.  Shannon thrives on being in the hospitality industry and is fortunate to be able to stay connected while working from home raising her two active children along with her patient husband.  Shannon is an avid reader and enjoys engaging others in lively conversation.  Shannon's friends will tell you that she is the person you can always rely on.  And relied on she is.  As an assessor, Shannon gets to try on many different roles and loves the interactive role play with her client.  As those assessed by Shannon will tell you, Shannon always tries to help out those on the other end of the phone.  Shannon's motto is to respect everyone for who they are and not who you think that they can become.