Senior Consultants

Andrew Lauman,
B.Sc, President & Business Consultant

Andrew is the President of Gateways International Services, where we offer training and recruiting solutions to a diverse group of clients and a broad range of international industries. Andrew, who graduated from the University of British Columbia, Canada, with a Bachelor of Science, began this company in 2006 and continues to develop the vision and strategy of GIS. The company first started off as a recruiting business www.eslgateways.ca, but has grown and now has education www.gatewaysinternational.ca, nursing www.na-nursingjobs.com, IT www.na-itjobs.com and a consulting divisions http://www.i-gate.ca/home. All of these divisions flow through our main site.

Andrew has over six years of business-to-business experience and has developed working relationships with more than 20 international companies. The learning centre educates more than 60 students in any one semester and continues to add new courses to its existing ones. Andrew also has over 10 years of teaching experience, a background that informs and empowers his daily activities.

Andrew has lived in Canada, Korea and the United States and has traveled and worked internationally throughout Canada, Korea, the United States, Mexico, Thailand, Bermuda and Japan. Andrew has come into contact with many people of diverse nationalities and uses it to pioneer the direction of this business. Both he and the staff and consultants of GIS draw on their corporate wealth of intercultural experience as they build towards a prosperous future in business.

Cheryl Kilback,
M.Sc in Nursing, Teacher and Health Consultant 

Cheryl holds her Master’s of Science in Nursing from UBC and undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary. Academically, she focused on adult education and advance practice.  Professionally, Cheryl is a registered nurse within the province of BC.  Having worked in the healthcare field for over 25 years, she is able to bring a vast amount of clinical experience to the teaching and learning environment. With program development as a focus for Cheryl she has enjoyed working as an educator at the college level as well in clinical areas within the lower mainland. Being an astute clinician, Cheryl incorporates a holistic approach into her practice with clients as well as when interacting with students.  Utilizing transformative coaching techniques on a one to one or group level, Cheryl is able to help people reach their academic and personal goals.

David McLauren
PH.D :: Diversity Consultant

David McLauren is a diversity specialist. Born in India and educated in North America. He has a Ph.D. doctorate in Inter-Cultural Studies and speaks five languages. David is the founder of the Multi-Cultural Resource Center. David brings a wealth of education and expertise to businesses addressing the issues of diversity and brilliantly helping companies to increase productivity through it.

With over 10 years of experience as a consultant, David helps businesses achieve success in the areas of leadership, diversity, team building, communication skills, customer service, and goal setting. As a keynote speaker, he combines solutions with an entertaining style to energize, educate, and empower people in his audiences. His practical insights have changed people's lives.

David has presented and consulted in Canada, United States, India, and England,and taught business, inter-cultural studies for 10 years. He is highly sought after as a keynote speaker, facilitator, and expert on diversity leadership and multi-cultural issues. David is a member of the North West Professional Speakers Bureau. He has worked for companies like Microsoft, YMCA, Red Robin, Abbotsford Police Department, City of Vancouver and more!

Jay McKnight
PH.D :: Business Consultant & Diversity Trainer

Jay holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Tennessee with specializations in Marketing and Management. He began his career as an international athlete and coach, for years traveling to countries such as Australia, Korea, Mexico, Colombia, China, and the United States. During this time, Jay became involved in ESL work, assisting individuals with basic English and pronunciation. This experience led him to start consulting with business executives on seminar and lecture preparation. As a businessman, he has worked in import/export on an international basis, and continues to import products into Canada from South America. Furthermore, Jay runs his own educational software development company and teaches/tutors ESL students in the areas of conversation, business, and pronunciation.

Junior Consultants

Michele Leaye
MBA Business Specialist and Cross Cultural Trainer

Michele Leaye has an MBA and specializes in Management Conflict, Troubleshooting and Negotiations where she uses her sharp    analytical skills to cut to the chase and get down to the core problems, to finding quick and efficient solutions. She has enjoyed many Executive positions during her working career, the highest post being an Account Director. To add to this illustrious career she has a TEFL Diploma in Young Learners and Business English and also has had more than 15 years of teaching experience. Originally from England, she then stayed in Singapore for more than 20 years working and teaching students from all walks of life which has given her the rich experience of Asian culture, and understanding of their traditions, goals and aspirations. Being able to converse in Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien and Malay has also been advantageous. Her vibrant and energetic style brings interest and enthusiasm to both the business aspect and classes, making learning a hands on experience, not to be forgotten.

Kevin Paterson,
B.Ed, J.Dip, Business ESL & English Trainer
Kevin teaches English writing, reading, and conversation; he also helps write and develop various English courses. He came to work at Gateways Learning Center after completing a Bachelor of English and Education degree at York University, Canada, and working as a teacher for about ten years. Kevin also holds a Journalism Diploma from Humber College, Toronto, and has worked as a book and magazine writer/editor for about ten years. He began his teaching career as a High School teacher in BC, Canada, teaching a variety of subjects, including English. Kevin has a passion to inspire students for success in school and life, while helping them improve their English communication skills. As a result of extensive travel to many countries on business or humanitarian missions trips, and a childhood growing up in Africa, Kevin has developed a special ability to understand and inspire people from other cultures.

Caroline Johnston
BA :: HR Specialist & Diversity Trainer

Caroline graduated with a BA in Linguistics and Psychology from the University of Victoria, completed a TESOL course, and received a Cross-Cultural Counselling Certificate from UBC. She is also a member of the British Columbia Human Resources Management Association (BC HRMA). Caroline has studied and lived in Germany, has taught ESL for six years in Korea, Austria and Canada, and has traveled extensively to many parts of Asia, Europe, Mexico and the US. For the past six years
she has been offering coaching and workshop training to businesses in the areas of cross-cultural communication, vocational assessment tools, conflict resolution, as well as leadership and team building. She has been involved in the employment industry for years, working closely with a broad clientele on career management and life skills. As a linguist, HR Specialist and Cross-Cultural Trainer, Caroline has developed an innovative approach to helping individuals communicate and integrate more effectively.

Walter Klassen
P.Eng :: Business Consultant & Cross Cultural Trainer

Walter was born in Germany and raised in the Fraser Valley in a multi-ethnic community. Walter had the opportunity to study international work ethics, which fostered a life-long interest in cultural similarities and differences. Walter has more than 30 years experience in a multinational corporate business environment as a professional engineer in the energy resource sector. During this period he acted as a technical representative dealing with customers and representatives from Japan, Korea, Brazil, and India. His business meetings and presentations often involved interpreters and people with non-native English-speaking abilities. Walter also enjoyed numerous opportunities to travel throughout Europe, and South America, further building an appreciation for differing cultural traditions and heritages.

Jessy To
B.ED :: Accent Reduction Consultant

Jessy has an undergraduate degree in English/Psychology and a Post Graduate degree in Education specializing in ESL. Jessy is a certified ESL specialist and has been teaching for 6+ years with students of all ages and background. She takes a student centered approach towards her teaching, in which she believes there are no two students alike; with this being said, she tailors all of her lessons based on the needs of her students making it practical, personal and enjoyable. She has many years of experience coaching her students for job interviews, composing effective resumes/cover letters and speaking English at a
Proficient level. As an English Linguist, she uses an innovative approach in helping my students to reduce their accents helping them gain confidence in their everyday communication skills.

Jean Hakizimana
B.A. M.Div :: Public Relations :: Diversity Trainer

Jean is a human rights activist and survivor of the Rwandan genocide who brings energy, passion, and creativity to individuals and organizations while assisting them in implementing social change. With over fifteen years of business management experience, combined with fourteen years of experience as an adult educator, Jean is able to create a learning environment that is both rich and relevant for participants. He has taught a wide variety of subjects related to community and business development, and currently holds a BA in Adult Education from the University of the Fraser Valley, a Diploma in Business Administration from CDI College, and an M. Div (pending) from ACTS of Trinity Western University.

In 2003/2004 Jean served as an official Industry Canada delegation member to Tanzania through the Sustainable Cities Initiative. This Canadian/Tanzanian partnership was aimed at enhancing the sustainability of economic development in cities of Tanzania, and helping citizens improve their quality of life. Jean’s past experience also includes membership of the Norwegian People’s AID (NPA) agency, working to assist the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Tanzania. He was a member of the management team for the Lumasi Camp, a Rwandese refugee camp of 300,000 people, with $10,000,000 US in funding. Jean speaks fluent Swahili and Kinyarwanda, English, French and Italian.