Our Team
It’s good to know about the folks you might be working with! Here’s a tiny snapshot of the Elarton Point Strategies Team.
Jo-Anne Kingstone
We come together in groups, in teams, in communities, as individuals and members of a collective, and what we bring into this space, first and foremost, is ourselves. And then we seek to learn about each other. That’s where the joy and the work begin. Understanding this truth allows us to harness our passions and purpose, our expertise and experience, our resources and intentions to achieve great things. Together.
A broad range of experience informs Jo-Anne’s (Jo’s) current work as a coach and facilitator for leaders, teams, and organizations seeking to build their capacity and advance their strategic objectives. She brings her expertise in operations and program design, change management, strategic understanding, design and facilitation, team and leadership development, workplace culture, and community engagement to a range of programs offerings that engage for- and not-for-profit small businesses and associations.
Jo’s 35 year journey working and leading in schools has confirmed that relationships live at the core of work--regardless of the organization. And powerful relationships between people, possibilities and purpose provide the foundation for community and organizational strength and permanence.
Aside from her daily routine of running forest trails and drinking good coffee, Jo continues to be driven by the singular mantra “Only connect” (E.M.Forster, Howard’s End).
And this is where it all starts.
Sarah Kingstone
Within the confluence of compassion and critical thinking lives a space where we can build authentic collaboration, human understanding, and positive peace. When we teach and practice these skills together, a good, brave, and hopeful community will flourish.
Sarah’s career is dedicated to exploring a variety of powerful educational tools and resources to define and enhance positive youth development and compassionate participation in community to increase equity and access to social justice. Especially passionate about building individual and organizational capacity to enact systemic change in our communities, she believes fundamentally in our collective shared purpose to help make life better for each other. Sarah grounds her work in valid and reliable research and believes that analysis begins with a historical lens to accurately evaluate and understand the challenges we face today and respond to them with courage and conviction. A ten year career spent teaching and learning in a variety of independent educational organizations and her recent Master’s level study in Clinical Psychology has confirmed her belief that where we are coming from is just as important as where we are and where we want to go.
In her free time, Sarah talks incessantly about SNL, plays outside, and makes meals with her favourite people.
Alison McCallum
“We don't set out to save the world; we set out to wonder how other people are doing and to reflect on how our actions affect other people's hearts.” (Pema Chodron)
Alison has 25 years of experience in leadership, student services, teaching, and coaching roles. Her claim to fame is that in the first half of her career she taught French to every single grade, from K-12, and some PE; in this second half of working life, she has been supporting students with academic, career, and post-secondary planning. Alison has facilitated and presented in many professional settings, and is known for her engaging activities, thoughtful questions, and warm presence. She uses her skills to help people to discover how to do their best work, and she supports growth and change with kindness and conviction.
Alison has been the Board Chair for the Victoria Philharmonic Choir (www.vpchoir.ca) and previously served as the Choir Manager in addition to singing in the second soprano section for 10 years while living in Victoria. She is also a volunteer with the Humanitarian Coaching Network (www.thehcn.org). She has a small but mighty group of family members and friends who make her life better, every day.
Jim Kingstone
“For happiness we all need someone to love, some meaningful work to do, and something to look forward to.” Chinese Proverb
Jim has spent his professional career in boarding schools in Canada and the US. As a teacher of English literature, then English Department Head, Dean of Faculty and Head of University Guidance, Jim’s broad range of leadership has provided him multiple perspectives on the student and teacher experience in schools. His deep commitment to instructional excellence and strategic capacity building has informed his work shaping departmental priorities, reviewing and revising programs and program delivery, and mentoring new teachers and leaders. An aptitude for flexibility and creative discipline in complex problem-solving fostered impactful advances not only in team commitment, cohesiveness and camaraderie, but also enhanced experiences of individual professional competence. Thinking of his collaborative work over the years, particularly his coaching relationships, he appreciates Thomas Hubl’s invitation to "open our eyes to the present and lean into a clear stream of conscious mutuality." Only connect.
On the side, Jim combines passions for bread making and trail running, hoping for increased efficiency in both.