Bruce Switzer (President)

Bruce is a pragmatic and collaborative professional dedicated to assisting his clients implement effective strategies to discover and achieve their goals.Bruce draws upon a rich and diverse set of life experiences as an entrepreneur and consultant. His areas of interest include local and international community building and the potential challenges facing multicultural communities.

His studies and expertise are focused on:

• Career transition
• Strategic Management
• Cross cultural communications
• Crisis management
• Community building
• Human rights

Bruce has consulted with individuals in transition from all walks of life, professions, functions and sectors to discover, pursue and realize their life goal aspirations. He most recently provides Canadian Market integration for International Professionals and developed and delivered new innovative and effective train the trainers programs for cross-cultural Mentors. Bruce has also led career transition support to a number of technology workers displaced by the dramatic economic downturn within that sector.

Bruce’s community involvement has included disaster relief with the Red Cross (New Orleans) & International Humanitarian Law (IHL) programs, and the Ottawa Carleton Community Immigration Service Organization (OCCISO) where he developed and delivered mentoring and effective client and staff career training. Bruce has also provided services STEP a new partnership between OCISO, Algonquin College and the YMCA. Bruce has been a guest speaker at the Rotary Club, consulted with Black History Ottawa on mentoring approaches that would address the diverse needs of that community and interviewed by the Ottawa Citizen and the Ottawa Construction Association (www.oca.ca) on issues of employment for landed immigrants.

Bruce believes that every human being has the right to dignity and simple human happiness and, within the right environment, the achievement of that is dependent on an individual’s strategic approach and the willingness to accept accountability and mastery for their own lives.

Maria Papalia (Vice-President)

Maria is a passionate, dedicated professional with over 20 years of communications, business leadership and development experience within corporate Canada. Recently Maria has worked on STEP as an employment officer and was the key component in the program’s success in landing internationally educated professionals in their field of expertise. She is also credited for developing programs such as “Getting Your Foot in the Door” which resulted in the highest turn out rate of any of the offered programs. These results are due to the participant’s recognition of the practical applications of Maria’s approach within the Market, and the warmth and dignity in which she demonstrates these strategies.

Maria’s interview skills and confidence building techniques have proven indispensible in transferring accountability for success back onto the shoulders of her clients. Maria has a natural ability to build trust with both her clients and peers and is recognized by all as a leader within her field. Maria’s desire to provide integration and settlement solutions for newcomers has been her focus for several years and believes that there is no greater privilege than serving Canada and the International Professionals who are this country’s future.

Maria’s has been awarded several “Customer Service of Excellence awards as well as employer awards for exemplary services during her career and continues to provide volunteer mentoring for the Ottawa Community Immigrations Service Organization.(OCISO)

Gabriela Lopez (Vice President)

Gabriela has lived in Ottawa since 2003 and it is involved in various community building activities. Currently she is VP of Business Operations for integration Resources Canada. Her experience includes leadership in private, non-profit and government organizations in the areas of management, public relations, communications and training. She holds a Master Degree in Business, and a degree in Communications.

Her volunteer activities include :-

• Deputy Councillor 2006-2009 for Ottawa of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad, a community elected position.


• Member of the Board of Directors of Leadership Ottawa 2008


• Since 2004, she is co-host of the TV show “Revista Latinoamericana”, produced by Rogers TV Ottawa being its target audience the Spanish-speaking community of the city.


• Mentor for the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO).


• Member of the Executive Committee of the Mexican-Canadian Ottawa-Gatineau Cultural Association.


• Member of the Hispanic-Canadian Ottawa-Gatineau Council.

Naomi Fowlie (Vice President)

Naomi is a creative and strategic career coach with passion for helping individuals find meaningful employment that match their skills, values and goals. Her “holistic approach” to success was established nearly 20 years ago, mentoring and building the confidence of women in career change or re-entry into the work place. Naomi is known as a resourceful coach to whom failure is not an option. With her in-depth knowledge of the market place, ready smile and her natural empathy she has a solid track record of establishing trust with both her clients and the market place. A former teacher, Naomi has also worked with high risk students, designing, developing and implementing life skills and career search courses which have resulted in high success rates for completion of school.

In addition she is credited for establishing English as a Second Language program for foreign students, ensuring they met or exceeded the language requirements for Canadian Universities. At the college level, she has coached students in obtaining employment through research, résumé writing and interviewing skills. Naomi is also noted for her entrepreneurial spirit and contribution to the arts and education. She has been recognized for her work over the years by the Province of Ontario, Ontario Arts Council and City of Nepean where she won a Millennium award.