RHODES WELLNESS COLLEGE - Key Persons
With a Bachelor's in Law from Mexico, and a couple of years of experience in the Canadian Immigration field, Astrid loves providing all the support she can to the Rhodes team in the administration process. With a bubbly and positive personality, she will always welcome you with a bright smile.
Job Titles:
- Registered Professional Counsellor
Bea Rhodes is a Registered Professional Counsellor, and Counselling Supervisor. She founded Rhodes Wellness College in 1996. She holds a Master of Education (Adult Education) from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelors Degree from Simon Fraser University. For many years, Bea was a college instructor and contract trainer for the University College of the Fraser Valley. She worked in the Federal and Provincial Prison system, providing counselling and conducting Life Skills programs for convicted offenders. Additionally, she has designed and instructed many counselling, wellness, and personal development programs over the past thirty years. Bea believes that we are all interconnected and that "hurt people hurt people." Bea teaches the Basic Counselling and Sexual Abuse & Trauma sections in the Life Skills Counselling semester, as well as Advanced Trauma in second year.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Owner
- President
- Professional Administrator
Ben has been a professional administrator in post-secondary education for over 20 years, helping organizations in the areas of program development, community involvement, student services, and business development. He established B.C.'s largest Master of Arts of Education program, has been successful in enriching each of his schools with international growth, and has a huge passion for human development. He established the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade's Leaders of Tomorrow program and has a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University.
Ben is an eternal optimist that believes there is greatness in all of us!
Betty has over 10 years working with both domestic and international students. She completed her Bachelor's degree at Simon Fraser University. She brings experience from various parts of Asia in international trade and education.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President / Brian Parker, BM
Brian has over 20 years of experience in private post-secondary education, and the automotive industry. He is known for consistently delivering results, and achieving goals. He's an ethical and loyal leader with a reputation for elevating the performance of academic institutions. He enjoys taking on challenges and brings a calm, honest approach to managing his teams. He truly cares about the success of students and employees. Previously he was the President of The Art Institute of Vancouver and Fortis College in Ohio.
Chantal Russell is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Ayurvedic Wellness Consultant & Yoga Teacher Trainer with over 15 years of international teaching experience. Chantal has enjoyed working with clients one-on-one and facilitating group workshops throughout yoga studios, festivals and conferences around the world, educating and empowering people to heal through nutrition & holistic living. From 2014-2020 Chantal served as the founder & director of The Well Yoga Studio on Bowen Island, and managed the Nutrition and Yoga program at The Orchard Recovery Center for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Today she's honoured to serve as the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at Rhodes Wellness College, along with serving as part of the faculty of the Professional Integrative Nutrition Program, and enjoys teaching online through her virtual studio, The Well, focusing on women's health. When not teaching, Chantal can be found playing with her son, exploring the trails of Bowen with her horse Summer, writing & reading by the fire, or sharing her love of healing foods and nourishing conversation. Learn more at thewellbychantalrussell.com
Chelsea is the Director of Education at Rhodes Wellness College & the Vancouver School of Healing Arts. She holds a Master of Management and Bachelor's Degree from the University of British Columbia and a Diploma of Yoga Therapy from Pacific Rim College. As an educator and Certified Yoga Therapist (International Association of Yoga Therapy), she strives to empower students and clients with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their goals. She believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a life that is filled with purpose, connection and growth and understands this takes dedication, strength and the support of a compassionate and caring community. She is grateful to be a part of such a community at Rhodes Wellness College and the Vancouver School of Healing Arts.
As a perpetual learner Dan is always seeking opportunities to grow and improve not only inside but to help others, through mindfulness and focus, find clarity and purpose. He brings this into his own private coaching and counselling practice where he meets with couples and individuals challenged by communication, anxiety and self-awareness impeding authenticity and boundaries. Fun fact, Dan is also a Master Instructor in scuba diving and enjoys local diving here in beautiful British Columbia's emerald coast. Dan enjoys a deep-rooted curiosity that is seated in wonder which brings with him a great compassion for the human condition while driving him toward the client/student centered approach and trauma informed lens. We all have "stuff" and Dan has a kindness and warmth with heart wide open to give students and clients a safe space to express, learn and grow.
Daniel graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Animation and Digital Arts. Daniel has a multitude of talents due to his vast experience working in many different areas, such as web development, video production, animation, and marketing. Daniel believes that everything and everyone has a good story, and he loves finding and telling those stories. Daniel is really dependable, adaptable and loves to learn about any subject. He is so very grateful and excited to start with Rhodes Wellness College and Vancouver School of Healing Arts.
Job Titles:
- Communications & Marketing Team Director of Communications & Marketing
David has over 10 years of experience in marketing, communications and advertising with a distinctive ability to deliver highly effective and measurable strategies that drive growth, new students, brand awareness, and reputation. He excels between strategy, marketing and collaboration. Prior to joining Rhodes Wellness College, David worked at ILAC, Canadian Tourism College, Sterling College and a number of prominent marketing agencies within Germany and Canada. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Portsmouth, UK and studied Graphic Design and Marketing Communications at BCIT. Having lived in 6 countries David enjoys working with people from a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds, personalities and languages.
David has over ten years' experience working in the education industry. His desire to help others achieve their goals has inspired him to become a certified life coach, goal setting coach, and life story coach. He is also an award-winning public speaker and communication coach.
He is excited to be at Rhodes, believing that as we connect better with ourselves, we can help better connect with others, making a measurable difference in the world.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Provost
Dean lives by two convictions: 1) everyone needs to be loved; and 2) suffering is an opportunity for transformation. These convictions grew as Dean served as a Pastor, giving him the privilege of walking alongside others through life's varied stages. During this time, he held numerous leadership and board positions in organizations focused on personal and humanitarian development. Following two decades of pastoral and non-profit work, he went into the marketplace where he led a successful business for 12 years while he completed his PhD. Dean has worked in academics since 2015, and completed the Life Coach training through Rhodes in 2021. His PhD research focused on suffering and failure as an educational transformative process and seeks to help others discover this in their own journey through Chrysalis Advantage Coaching and Consulting. To learn more about Dean, please visit deandavey.com
Janice is a wife, mother, counsellor, coach, and mentor. She is a dedicated student of personal growth, leadership, and taking ownership and responsibility in contributing to positive change in the world. The values that she strives to live by are integrity, impact, wealth, joy, and mastery. Having graduated from the Professional Counsellor Diploma program with Rhodes Wellness College in 2014, she has been a member of the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association for 8 years. As the Director of Student & Career Services at Rhodes Wellness College, she supports the student's experience with understanding, empathy, curiosity, and facilitation. Outside of Rhodes Wellness College, you can find Janice helping individuals and families achieve their dreams through consistent action, leadership, and business development.
Mackenzie serves as the Education & Student Services Coordinator at Rhodes Wellness College & the Vancouver School of Healing Arts, and as a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor in private practice. She proudly earned her Professional Counselling Diploma in 2023, bringing experiential know-how, resourcefulness, empathy, and care to her work supporting prospective, current, and student alumni. Mackenzie values heart-led leadership, self-responsibility, humility, respect, and unconditional positive regard for all walks of life. Beyond her role at Rhodes, she immerses herself in reading about the heart, spirit, or the fascinating world of fungi. You can learn more about Mackenzie and her services at www.maptherapycanada.ca.
Madison has over 5 years of experience coaching and working with students in and outside the post-secondary realm. Through an empathetic lead approach, Madison helps students meet both their personal and professional goals.
Madison's passion for personal development is what led her to Rhodes, and she is excited to come together with like-minded individuals to help foster wellness and education in others.
Mia, a graduate of Douglas College, holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus on Management, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management. Possessing a solid foundation in business operations and logistics, Mia is well-equipped for professional endeavors. With four years of invaluable experience in customer service, Mia has honed her ability to connect with individuals from various backgrounds. Her positive demeanor and innate passion for interaction make her a natural at building strong relationships and addressing customer needs effectively. Beyond her professional pursuits, Mia is an avid animal lover. When she's not immersed in her work, you can often find her spending quality time with her beloved dog and cat. Her genuine affection for animals reflects her compassionate nature and adds depth to her character.
Pardis has recently come to us from Dubai. There, she worked most recently as a Country Manager for EF Education First, an international education company that specializes in educational travel, academic degree programs, and cultural exchange. Pardis' passion includes marketing and helping find unique solutions for students to be able to afford their education. She prides herself on customer care and students can count on her easy-going nature and warm smile.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Facilities Planner
- Retired Architect
Paul is a retired architect who practiced architecture under his own firm for over 30 years. He has a diverse experience in various residential, commercial, and interior design projects. His architectural firm's services ranged from architectural design, facilities planning, budgeting, contract negotiations, construction management, interior design, and navigating the complex city approval processes.
Rachel is a champion for all things health and wellness, bringing over 8 years of experience in consulting and coaching in this field. In addition, she is a certified yoga teacher and believes breath and movement can be a used as a powerful healing modality. She has a passion for guiding individuals on their personal journey to reach their highest potential. She believes everyone has their own unique story, purpose and gifts to bring into the world. Now more then ever, she wants to support others in finding this voice and path.
Tushar holds a Bachelor's in Accounting and Finance from University of Mumbai and Post Degree Diploma in Business Administration from Camosun College. Tushar enjoys being part of the Rhodes team and provides all his support to Finance and Administration. Being compassionate and shedding light in people's lives is something Tushar takes pride in.
When he's not at Rhodes, Tushar usually go-biking around the city and play tennis.