The Group

Geordie Aitken
Exposed to the art of group leading since a young age, Geordie takes people and teams farther than should be possible for a 30-year old. He gets people communicating better and performing at higher levels with a lot of humor and demonstrable results. Geordie has a knack for disarming the toughest cynics, and thrives on the belief that his work makes people’s lives richer. Geordie’s current focus is the design and delivery of in-firm leadership development programs for young professionals. He is widely in demand as a speaker at convention gatherings and for serious team-building.

David Aitken FRAIC
David has done a lot in his life, and is grateful for all he has learned. A true master of facilitation, David brings a lifetime of professional experience to his work with ALG. Humor and compassion combine with razor-sharp insight in David’s style of group leadership and executive coaching. A former Architect and manufacturer, with a lifetime of study in Humanistic Psychology and group dynamics, David founded Aitken Leadership in 1995. He lives in Vancouver, BC with his Janie and their two Dobermans. David is sought as an expert consultant and coach for executive leadership teams and individual leaders.

Kinley Aitken
A certified guide in numerous outdoor disciplines, seeking adventure is Kinley’s passion. She has guided group experiences in the realm of personal growth through ocean kayaking, white water rafting, rock climbing and high ropes challenge courses. Kinley is driven to inspire others to test the limits of human potential, leadership and teamwork. At a young age for Kinley, outdoor recreation turned quickly from hobby to passion to career, and Kinley today works with hundreds of people every year, facing down their fears and increasing their capacity for true adventure. On the water, in the snow, or up the mountain, Kinley’s relaxed confidence makes her very popular with ALG clients.

Janie Aitken
Janie was a professional speech pathologist before turning to the task of raising children. As a yoga practitioner for over 30 years, Janie’s interest in holistic practices for health and well-being have had considerable influence on her family and the family busines. Since the inception of Aitken Leadership Group, she has watched over the business operations and provided grounding for the scattered elements of this family-based international consultancy.

Rick Jackson
Rickjackson.ca
Following a career representing public and private interests in the fields of industrial relations, international trade, and social policy - including directing international conferences and tribunals involving such dignitaries as Mikael Gorbachev, Nelson Mandela and Lech Walesa - Rick based himself in British Columbia in 1996. As a consultant, Rick works with ALG and is one of the most renowned executive coaches in his field. Rick’s macro-political and social perspectives blend with his spirit-focused approach to personal development. He is dedicated to activating significant change in individuals and teams who are ready to achieve better results.

Matt Sinclair
Matt studied English at the University of British Columbia and in the Directors Lab at the Canadian Film Centre. He has made a number of short films, which have toured internationally, been broadcast on television, and won multiple awards. In addition to his writing and content development for ALG, he works as a screenwriter and director, and his work was recently seen in Canada on the CBC's The Week the Women Went and OLN's Gemini-award nominated Road Hockey Rumble. He lives in Vancouver, where he enjoys cooking, yoga, and the occasional game of Scrabble.

Laurel Swenson, MGDC · Canister Creative Inc.
www.canistercreative.com
Laurel is a Professional Member of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, has practiced as a graphic designer since 1991, and worked with several local design firms before striking out on her own in 2000. As Art Director of the Canister team she is passionate about working visually, with ideas, and fostering great relationships with their clients.

Peggie Merlin, M.A. , Ph.D.
Peggie has been leading seminars and training other group leaders for several decades. Her background, a blend of social science, business and show business makes her an unusually insightful and lively facilitator and executive coach. She holds post-graduate degrees in anthropology and educational psychology and has a diploma in counselling. She spent five years (as researcher, then associate producer) with the Merv Griffin organization on the TV game show “Jeopardy!” In 1979, Peggie left a position as executive director of Vancouver’s Cold Mountain Institute, to become a facilitator and, ultimately, director of training for Context Associated. Peggie has collaborated with David Aitken, and since 1996, ALG, for some 20 years.