Meet The Team

Ed is an impactful leader known for his ability to empower others. As Co-Founder and President of ESM Strategists, he also brings over 30 years of experience in the Fire Service—including 12 years in senior leadership—building a career grounded in service, growth, and meaningful impact. His leadership journey has spanned critical areas such as municipal governance, fire leadership, incident command, and mental health support, always guided by a people-first philosophy.

Ed’s passion for leadership doesn’t stop at the fireground. He is also a dedicated educator and coach, driven to help others reach their full potential. His work includes developing and delivering impactful training across public and private sectors, specializing in leadership development, fire leadership programs, incident command, critical incident stress management, and instructor development.

Inclusive, culturally responsive, and learner-focused, Ed brings a thoughtful and supportive approach to every educational setting. Whether he's mentoring new educators, shaping curriculum, or facilitating leadership workshops, he ensures that every participant feels valued, equipped, and inspired. From emergency scenes to classrooms to boardrooms, Ed leads with empathy, clarity, and purpose. His unique combination of frontline experience and academic insight makes him a trusted voice in leadership, crisis response, and adult education.

Outside of work, Ed is an avid sports fan who enjoys hockey, baseball, football, and Formula 1. He also makes it a priority to spend quality time with his family and friends, whether catching up, sharing meals, or having a good laugh. Committed to giving back, Ed stays actively involved in coaching community sports.

Sandra is a visionary leader and educator with a passion for helping people and organizations reach their full potential. As Co-Founder and CEO of ESM Strategists, she brings decades of experience at the intersection of leadership development, educational innovation, and coaching.

A developmental psychologist with a PhD in Human Learning, Development, and Instruction, Sandra is internationally recognized as a thought leader in health professions education, curriculum transformation, and strategic leadership in higher education. Her expertise is sought after by academic institutions, professional associations, and global organizations committed to educational excellence and leadership capacity-building. Her academic and administrative career has been defined by a deep commitment to mentorship, learning innovation, and systems-level change.

Over the years, Sandra has led the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of large-scale educational programs across health science disciplines. She has directed curricular reform, built faculty development, mentoring programs, and leadership initiatives, and consulted on academic innovation and organizational strategy. Her work also includes partnerships with international education organizations to enhance teaching effectiveness, leadership development, and institutional learning cultures. She supports both emerging and experienced leaders in developing the skills and mindset needed to navigate complexity and lead with clarity and confidence.

Sandra’s research focuses on educational innovation, professional identity formation, and knowledge translation. She has secured over $10 million in research funding and published extensively in peer- reviewed journals, books, and international reports. Her contributions have earned numerous national awards recognizing her leadership in education, faculty development, and academic scholarship. At the heart of her work is a strong belief in learner-centered design, meaningful collaboration, and the power of education to create lasting change.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Sandra finds balance through her passion for tennis and supporting her favorite hockey and baseball teams. She treasures moments with family, friends, leisurely walks with her dog, and relaxing by the pool.

As the Executive Assistant, Madison plays a key role in keeping the company running smoothly and efficiently. With a strong eye for detail and a passion for supporting others, she provides the behind-the-scenes support that allows the leadership team to focus on growth and delivery.

Currently studying Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Madison is also on a path toward a future in education. This unique combination of academic focus and real-world experience brings fresh insights and forward-thinking perspectives to the organization—particularly in how we continue to evolve and connect with the next generation of learners and leaders.

Outside of her administrative work, Madison is an experienced coach and youth mentor, having led multiple sports teams to championships and has delivered impactful life-lessons to younger age groups. These experiences not only demonstrate her leadership abilities but also reflect her strong communication skills and natural talent for teaching.

As she continues to grow with the company, Madison looks forward to expanding her role into instruction and facilitation in the future. When she’s not studying, working, or coaching, Madison enjoys playing multiple sports, spending time with family and friends, and finding a little downtime between classes.