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Business Analysis Instructor Bios

Jim Armstrong
Jim has over 29 years’ experience as a quality management professional. His career spans both the public and private sectors, including an 18-year career with the Canadian Department of National Defence where he fulfilled roles as QA Representative, Quality Manager and Staff Officer. After leaving the department, Jim served in a range of quality management services role with companies such as General Dynamics, Schlumberger, ATCO Frontec and Avocent. Jim is currently a Business Process Manager with NovAtel Inc. where he leads various groups through continuous improvement efforts. His engineering and technology background includes military vehicle systems, electronics, software and aerospace.

Jim is also the owner and operator of PQMC Inc, a consulting company specializing in quality and process improvement training. Over the past 10 years, Jim has delivered adult education and training in the areas of business analysis, project management, quality in design, quality planning, business process management and continuous improvement.

Jim is a Nuclear Engineering Technologist and holds certifications in Quality Auditing and Quality Management with ASQ.

Evelyn Brisibe MBA PM, PMP, CBAP
Evelyn has over 15 years of project management experience with special focus on areas such as business process improvements and change management. She is a certified professional with the Project Management Institute and International Institute of Business Analysis. Her career involves leading organizational change projects — people, systems and processes.

Evelyn is an MBA graduate in Project Management from Athabasca University and is currently a PhD student in the Leadership and Organizational Change program of Walden University. She is an instructor in the Business Process Management and Business Analysis certificate programs at MRU.

Ola Ifidon BS (Hons.), CBAP, PMP
ce_bio_ba_ola_ifidon Ola Ifidon has an economics degree and is the first Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) in the province of Alberta. The CBAP® designation is awarded by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) with the Project Management Institute (PMI®) and is pursuing an MBA degree from the Cornell-Queen's Executive MBA Program.

Ola has over ten years' professional experience in business analysis, strategy assessment, articulation and documentation, project management, IT, business process analysis, and market share and competitor analysis.

She has worked with leading-edge companies including Accenture, a management and consulting firm, as a senior consultant in the strategy and business architecture service line, where she was responsible for process re-engineering, financial restructuring and strategy formulation.

In 2007 Ola co-founded ValCon Inc., a management and business consulting firm where she is currently Partner, Business Solutions. Through detailed business analysis Ola ensures alignment between business needs and solution delivery. Her passion is helping businesses identify their real needs and delivering solutions that meets those needs.

An active member of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®), Ola is currently the Vice President, Member Services of the IIBA® Calgary Chapter and also a member of the IIBA® Chapter Growth Committee. She was also part of the new IIBA® Managing Business Analysts Book review team.

Ola is a seasoned and passionate instructor who combines excellent instructional skills with relevant real-life experience. She is also passionate about giving back, and is involved with many local and international charities, including Mustard Seed, Salvation Army, Mercy Ship and Gentle Hands.

Richard Lannon
Richard is the President and Founder of BraveWorld Inc. Richard works with business leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs as a management consultant, facilitator, coach, mentor, trainer and professional speaker. Over the years, Richard has gained valuable experience working with a range of organizations and clients, including PricewaterhouseCoopers, Enbridge, Enmax, Canadian Pacific Railway, Royal Canadian Pacific and ATB Financial.

In 2010, Richard was a recipient of Mount Royal University's Distinguished Teaching Award as well as MKS Learning's Business Recognition Award for his work in micro enterprise development and strategic training and mentorship.

Currently, Richard is the VP, Strategic Planning and Leadership Development at Legacy Bowes Group. Richard is also a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) and continues to write articles for various publications throughout North America, including the National Post, Business Analyst Times and Project Times.

Karmen Lippitt I.S.P., ITIL, CSM, MCTS, MCPS, CPITC, CNS
Karmen is a dedicated, passionate instructor with years of professional experience in entrepreneurial and corporate settings. As an avid life-long learner, entrepreneur and Business Analyst, Karmen has acquired a strong IT background and diverse experience as a contractor, project manager and SAM (Software Asset Management) Specialist with companies such as TransAlta, Compugen, Husky Energy and Devon Canada Corporation.

In 2008, Karmen co-founded and became Director of E-Commerce Operations for Red Mile Technologies, an “e-tailer” specializing in technology products for the SOHO (small office/home office) and SMB (small to medium business) markets. Karmen is currently pursuing professional accreditation as a PMP^® (Project Management Professional) and CBAP^® (Certified Business Analysis Professional).

Dune Nguyen MBA, CMC, PMP, ISP
Dune has over 24 years’ experience with information technology and business leadership. As a Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Project Management Professional® (PMP®), Information Systems Professional (ISP) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate, he brings a unique combination of experience and insights to help clients improve their business performance. He is a professional speaker and instructor who teaches business and management courses at post-secondary institutions across Alberta.

Working with clients across North America as a senior consultant, Dune has demonstrated strong leadership, business acumen and expertise in project management, change management and strategic planning at a senior level. Areas of specialization also include business process management (BPM) and COTS software implementation.

As Founder and President of Beacon for Change, a leadership and management consulting firm, Dune demonstrates his core values of passion, integrity and humility by helping organizations to act strategically and achieve their full potential.

Dune is currently the VP Marketing with IIBA^® Edmonton Chapter.

Janet Oakenfold
Janet is energetic and passionate about delivering highly practical business training that is current, useful and realistic for today’s business environment.

Equipped with years of experience in a broad range of business roles including supply chain, contract management, process management, business analysis, project management , marketing, and enterprise risk management, Janet now devotes her talents to assisting and training others to work smarter in all aspects of business initiatives. Janet’s teaching style moves students beyond simple textbook learning to helping others apply tools and techniques in dynamic real-world situations.

Janet’s professional experience includes management roles with the Royal Bank of Canada, Bombardier Aerospace and Canadian Pacific Railway.

With over ten years of teaching and corporate training experience, Janet established her own independent training and consulting company in 2009. Janet provides training across a broad spectrum of business areas with specializations in leadership, Six Sigma and Lean methodology, business analysis, project management, contract management and process management within post-secondary corporate training and continuing education settings.

An alumni of McGill University, Janet has a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA specializing in Marketing and Strategic Management. Janet is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Laurie Spady, MBA
Laurie is an experienced instructor in multiple business areas, including strategic analysis and business communication. She obtained both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Alberta. She is an experienced small business operator in the energy, agricultural and recreational sectors, and has broad working and instructing experience across North America. Laurie has taught all levels of business and accounting courses, including high school, community college and university instructing. She is a board member and treasurer of an international NGO involved in medical service delivery in Southeast Asia.