Meet the Team
The LifeSpeak team has a wealth of experience working with many of Canada's leading corporations as well as a record of excellence and dedication. We are committed to working with our clients to understand the needs of their businesses and to ensure that our program meets those needs.
The Founders
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Aimée Israel, LL.B - Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Aimée graduated from the Faculty of Law from the University of Western Ontario in 1997 and returned to Toronto to practice corporate law at one of Canada's largest law firms. In 2000, Aimée had her first child and while on maternity leave co-founded a successful prenatal education and support network. After her maternity leave, Aimée joined Canada's largest confectionary company as corporate counsel on a part-time basis in order to maintain a balance between work and family life. In 2003, while on maternity leave again after the birth of her second child, Aimée felt that it was time to build upon her prenatal business experience and invest in identified growth opportunities leading to the creation of LifeSpeak.
Since the launch of the business, Aimée has been profiled in numerous publications including The Globe and Mail, The National Post, and The Toronto Star and has been quoted on both CFRB annd CBC Radio. Aimee was also featured in “Get Real” written by Patricia Lovett Reid which features 26 Canadian women who share their secrets to authentic success. In 2008, Aimee was a nominee for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award and in 2009 was named by Profit Magazine as one of Canada’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs. LifeSpeak was also nominated to Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ of 2009.
In parenting her 3 children and leading a busy life with her husband in Toronto, Aimee applies the knowledge she has learned from experts at hundreds of LifeSpeak workshops.
aimeeisrael@lifespeak.com
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Michael Held, LL.B., MBA – Co-Founder & President
After graduating with the gold medal from the combined LL.B. / MBA program at the University of Toronto in 1997, Michael practiced as a corporate lawyer at one of Canada's largest law firms in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and securities law. In 2001, Michael moved to one of North America’s leading strategy consulting firms where he earned a position on the Toronto management team. As a consultant, Michael provided advice to Canadian and global organizations with respect to developing business unit and corporate strategies, evaluating acquisition / merger opportunities, and enhancing strategic planning and organizational processes. Michael’s experience has included a significant focus on healthcare and he has worked on client engagements in a variety of other industries including consumer products, government (economic development), financial institutions, food services and natural resources.
Michael and his wife live in Toronto and have one son.
michaelheld@lifespeak.com
The Team
Lisa Adams, Director, Programming and Product Innovation
Stanley Bergman – Director, Business Development
Anna Mittag – Director, Partner Relations
Tanya Narang - Director, Partner Accounts
Dena Pollack – Director, Programming and Business Development
Julia Uyeda - Director, Western Region Business Development
Winnie Tam - Vancouver Director, Programming
Lisa Adams, Director, Programming and Product Innovation
lisaadams@lifespeak.com
Lisa graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto in 1991 and practised as a corporate lawyer at one of Canada's largest law firms.
In 1997, Lisa joined FedEx as corporate counsel where she advised the company on legal matters ranging from mergers and acquisitions to new product development. Although she enjoyed all aspects of her 15 year legal career, she most valued working as part of a team and fostering solid client relationships. After the birth of her second child in 2006, Lisa stayed at home for two years to care for her two young sons. Ready to return to work and focus on her passion for people matters, Lisa then joined LifeSpeak.
Lisa lives in Toronto with her family.
Stanley Bergman – Director, Business Development
stanleybergman@lifespeak.com
Stanley has 10 years of experience working in the professional training industry.
After graduating from the University of Western Ontario in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Economics, Stanley joined a Toronto-based professional training and organizational development company where he packaged, marketed, and sold corporate training programs tailored for healthcare, human services, and government sector organizations.
Throughout his business development career, Stanley has prided himself on building long-term, mutually-beneficial client relationships through creativity, innovation, and by developing strategic partnerships.
Stanley joined LifeSpeak as Director of Business Development in 2011, where he is responsible for generating new business, establishing new partnerships, and developing customized solutions to help clients increase employee engagement and retention levels, and ultimately improve productivity.
Stanley and his wife live in Toronto with their three young children.
Anna Mittag –Director, Partner Relations
annamittag@lifespeak.com
After graduating from the Faculty of Law at McGill University in 1996, Anna started practicing in the litigation department of a large Montreal law firm. In 2000, Anna joined Cirque du Soleil as legal counsel. Since becoming a parent, Anna has worked with LifeSpeak, first launching and running the Montreal operations for the company and then taking on the role of Director, Partner Relations, in order to help bring the LifeSpeak offerings to employees across North America and around the globe. Anna lives in Montreal with her family.
Tanya Narang - Director, Partner Accounts
tanyanarang@lifespeak.com
Tanya obtained her Bachelor of Arts with a major in Anthropology from the University of Western Ontario and a Masters in Business Administration from McGill University. She gained valuable experience as Business Partner Account Manager for a leading software manufacturer and as the Montreal New Media Director for a multi-faceted IT consulting firm. After the birth of her daughter, Tanya joined LifeSpeak in 2007 to help develop and manage LifeSpeak’s Montreal accounts. Tanya now helps to manage LifeSpeak’s global partnerships. She lives in the Montreal area with her family.
Dena Pollack – Director, Programming and Business Development
denapollack@lifespeak.com
Dena received her MBA from University of Ottawa in 1997. Dena brings with her years of experience having successfully originated, structured, negotiated and executed numerous partnerships with top tier organizations. After working with the Business Development Bank of Canada as an Account Manager in Montreal, Dena moved to Toronto in 1999 where she joined Yahoo! Canada as Business Development Manager. In 2004, she then joined ACCPAC as Senior Business Development Manager for their Simply Accounting small business group. Dena currently lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter
Julia Uyeda - Director, Western Region Business Development
juliauyeda@lifespeak.com
After graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in International Relations at the University of British Columbia, Julia began her career in the airline industry eventually transferring to New York. Julia brings to LifeSpeak a background in business development, HR, sales & marketing and client relationship management. Through her work experience with organizations in the recruitment, tourism, corporate, and not for profit sectors Julia has fostered strong client relationships and implemented strategic sales and marketing programs both locally and internationally. Julia lives in Vancouver with her husband and daughter.
Winnie Tam - Vancouver Director, Programming
winnietam@lifespeak.com
Combined with her background in education, Winnie has over 10 years management experience at some of Canada’s most innovative and renowned arts, educational and cultural organizations. She has designed and administered unique programs, provided leadership to large teams, and collaborated with many levels of the community on special projects and initiatives. Winnie has served local and national organizations as an active volunteer, including Wired Woman Society and Minerva Foundation of BC.