An agent of change
Relationship Matters
Relationship Matters is a transforming force, which helps shape positive change in an ever-changing world. A little company co-founded by Kim Barthel and Bob Spensley in Victoria, BC, Canada, is the business behind the work of Kim Barthel and esteemed colleagues. It has been expanding to include Hilary LeRoy-Gauthier, Eugene Hayduk, Marie McKenzie, Shelley Mannell, Lista Spensley-Tagornak and other key consultants. A few ways that this organic organization aims to make a real difference is through supporting, teaching, mentoring, coaching, inspiring and sustaining people and organizations who, in turn, create, develop and deliver services across multiple sectors. Our company supports people who support a lot of people. We are all planting seeds.
With a global reach, contagious will to help, and an established capacity to connect with web-based training, Relationship Matters contracts with private clinics, school boards, hospitals, government agencies, NGO’s, universities, group homes, not-for-profit organizations and even corporations to help meet their needs. Each service arrangement or partnership is unique, depending on the professional/personal development needs and the local context.
“Kim has added another and deeper understanding of how trauma impacts all of the children and families I work with.”
Bob Spensley
Bob’s purpose with over thirty years of professional experience as a natural connector is to bring people together for the greater good.
As CEO and Co-founder of Relationship Matters, he helps create training programs and supports for professionals world-wide. This involves developing and maintaining relationships with various partners and colleagues in strategizing workshops, resource materials and consultations, creating contracts and navigating logistics around a diversity of inspiring projects. Bob also co-facilitates most of the workshops, connecting with the material and participants in a down-to-earth way to support the overall learning experiences.
From 2001 to 2014, Bob was Co-founder and Principal of Sequoia Energy Inc., successfully pioneering the development of responsible large-scale renewable energy projects (large scale wind and run-of-river hydro) across North America. Bob’s greatest joy and focus was on seeking to understand and nurturing healthy dynamics between diverse businesses and communities in a new and meaningful industry.
From 1992 to 2001, Bob worked in the field of education in the Canadian Arctic. Living in what is now Nunavut he had many roles, from supporting Inuit teenagers from traditional, remote communities to helping create and manage a range of community-based learning programs at Nunavut Arctic College. Bob was in the North at a time and place to witness extreme social change. He was fortunate to work alongside respected elders, always aimed to promote empowering inclusive learning environments, and learned imminently more than he taught.
Bob speaks four languages with some fluency (English, French, Spanish and Italian), and some Inuktitut with best efforts and humility. Academically, Bob has Honour Degrees in History and Spanish Literature from Trent University, a Certificate in Adult Education from Aurora College, an Honorary MBA from Windkraft Kontor, is certified by the International Association for Public Participation as a Community Development Facilitator and continues to gain valuable experience and knowledge related to counselling and communication. Married to Kim Barthel and proud dad of Counsellor and Art Therapist Lista Spensley-Tagornak, Bob’s greatest strength is addressing challenges by pulling together strong teams of people in meaningful purpose.
Hilary LeRoy-Gauthier
Hilary’s career has spanned 25 years with diverse and meaningful work in Health, Education, and Business. The thread pulling through all her work is her clear passion and skill in serving others to assist in some way with their own desire to have fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Over the last thirteen years in the Northwest Territories, Hilary’s work has provided her with the opportunity to grow her skills, knowledge, and expertise in the area of facilitation, curriculum and program design, and leading a team within adult education serving a diverse group across the north in the area of Business and Leadership. A primary focus in the north within post-secondary education and training is the ongoing vital work of reconciliation and healing, with daily opportunities to participate in personal, group, and community trauma-informed practice and learning in her various professional and personal roles.
Starting as an adolescent working in mental health with a clear goal of becoming an Occupational Therapist, she has always focused on how best to serve others with humility, integrity, and authenticity. This deeply felt mission has shown itself in all areas of her work, whether it is in healthcare as a clinician, leader, and private practitioner, as a business owner in a small northern community, a manager and instructor in Adult Education, or a facilitator and leader in leadership development. She is also certified in the EQ-i 2.0 tool, allowing her to weave together leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal growth.
Hilary’s work with Relationship Matters is a perfect fit in bringing these diverse experiences together to continue her mission to serve others in their important work of becoming more of who they are.
Eugene Hayduk
Eugene is a compassionate therapist from Winnipeg who has been supporting adolescents and adults for over 30 years. His genuine approach and emphatic nature have allowed him the privilege of assisting numerous people on their healing journeys. Eugene values the time he spends with his clients and truly sees it as an honour to be able to walk alongside them. He uses a number of therapeutic intervention methods available to him and will offer a treatment plan that is realistic and goal-oriented. He practices from a Client Centred Perspective, and relies on Solution Focused Therapy, Therapeutic Conversation and a Problem-Solving Model, to name a few.
He has worked extensively with at-risk, adolescent youth and their families for most of his career. He has been certified to conduct threat and risk assessments for youth who have shown signs of causing legitimate danger to their communities or themselves. Eugene spent twenty years at Marymound, an adolescent
treatment centre, working in a variety of roles, but mostly as the Day Treatment Coordinator.
His role was to assist with intake, treatment planning and follow up for Outpatient Students and their families. He currently works for the River East/Transcona School Division as a School Social Worker and also has a thriving private practice. Eugene and Kim share a long professional relationship; they first met over 20 years ago when Kim was a consultant at Marymound, an adolescent treatment centre where he worked. They have since had many professional collaborations. Of note, Eugene acted as Kim's Consultant/Sounding Board while she was working with Mental Health Services in Nunavut; they consulted on numerous high-risk cases on a regular basis.
Eugene values relationship and will be happy to connect with you and support your emotional and psychological needs. He looks forward to the opportunity of supporting you or your family member.
Marie McKenzie
Marie McKenzie, MS OTR/L is an experienced private practice Occupational Therapist living in Atlanta, Georgia.
Throughout her career Marie has held many roles in support of children with neuro-diversity and their families. She previously developed and managed the Occupational Therapy Department at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She has consulted with many area school systems and for 20 years was the owner and director of Pediatric Therapy Services, a private outpatient clinic.
She is certified in Sensory Integration and Praxis testing, trained in Neuro-Developmental Treatment and was previously a Neuro-Developmental Treatment OT Instructor.
In addition to being an Occupational Therapist, Marie is also a Physical Therapist, receiving her master’s degree through the Georgia State University Physical Therapy Department.
Currently she is completing her PhD program at the University of Georgia in Toxicology. Her research focuses on birth defect prevention and is based on developmental influences of environmental contaminants.
Marie is compassionate and loving in her approach with children and families, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience for collective problem-solving, always helping those she supports to become their best selves.
Shelley Mannell
Shelley Mannell is a renowned Physiotherapist and owner of Heartspace Physical Therapy for Children in St. Catharines, Ontario. As a knowledge seeker, problem solver and international speaker, Shelley’s mission is to bring relevant research into compassionate practice. Her specific gifts and experience as a PT have been helping children connect to their bodies and raising their awareness of movement. She has been supporting children and families on their journey towards independence for over 30 years.
Shelley’s enthusiasm for clinical research and education began at McMaster University as a clinical faculty member in the School of Rehabilitation Science. Making sense of complex ideas and delivering contemporary information about postural control with a touch of humour, Shelley’s topics are of interest to a wide range of professionals and parents alike; see her Heartspace blog https://heartspacept.com/blog/ for a sample of her interests.
Certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment and Sensory Integration, Shelley is also a yoga and meditation facilitator for children. Additionally, she is the co-creator of Dynamic Core for Kids, an evidence-based approach to central stability for children with motor and sensory challenges. To round out her professional services, Shelley offers online programs, virtual consultations and a mentoring program for clinicians.
A synergy with Kim and Bob that spans 23 years is based on personal development, professional learning & teaching, and having a lot of fun. Shelley is a great fit with Relationship Matters because of her wealth of experience and excitement to collaborate both in North America and overseas. Aside from occasionally co-teaching with Kim, Shelley is available through Relationship Matters to help support individuals, families and professionals working with those who are experiencing neurological and developmental challenges.
Laurie Beverley
In December 2014, Laurie moved to Vancouver Island, following retirement from Alberta Health Services where she worked as the provincial Executive Director for Primary and Community Care, Addiction and Mental Health. Previously Laurie served as the Vice-President of Programs and Research with the Alberta Mental Health Board, leading the development and coordination of Provincial initiatives and functions, including Suicide Prevention, Aboriginal Mental Health, Tele-mental Health, Forensic Psychiatry, Family Violence, Mental Health and Justice initiatives and programs, and Research.
She holds a Bachelor of Nursing Degree (with Distinction) and a Master of Nursing Degree, specializing in Mental Health/Families and Larger Systems. She completed post-graduate certification as a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist with the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition, Laurie was a national and international Surveyor with Accreditation Canada from 1999-2020.
She has been involved in many community activities including Board Member and Chair of the Education and Support Committee, Alzheimer Society of Calgary. Advisory Committee member with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Board Director with Pacifica Addiction Treatment Centre Society in Vancouver and Board Director of Clements Centre Society in Cowichan Valley. In 2018, Laurie served as Director of Health and Community Services with the Arbutus Ridge Ratepayer’s Association and as Acting President from June 2019 to 2020, prior to moving to Victoria, BC.
Robert Newton
Robert Newton is a professional film editor, videographer, and documentary filmmaker from Montreal, Canada. He also has a theatre degree, has acted and directed. His interest in the body and emotions, that arose from studying theatre and acting, lead him into different types of dance, clown, mime and bodywork practices, as well as delving into active meditations and psychotherapy. Robert also loves to sing and is a baritone with the Yellow Door Choir.
Relationship Matters is a natural fit for Robert on two levels: he’s been friends with Bob since wilderness scouting adventures when their dads were the leaders together, and shares Relationship Matters’ values of authentic expression, global inclusion, personal growth and healthy connection. From his active treadmill desk, Robert leads a team of editors and co-creators helping document and portray the messaging through powerpoints, social media and video recordings.
Lista Qanaatia Spensley-Tagornak
Lista Qanaatia Spensley-Tagornak, RCC, is a Counsellor, Art Therapist and Consultant. See https://www.listawellness.com/. She has a Masters of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy from Adler University and considerable multicultural experience within her relatively emerging practice.
Her name Lista means "ready" in Spanish, and Qanaatia implies "support" or more literally "tent-pole" in Inuktitut, and is also the name of her highly respected maternal grandfather. She is currently working in the cities of Vancouver and Victoria, which are situated on the unceded traditional territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), W̱jołełp (Tsartlip), Wsáneć (Saanich), and xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
Comfortable in diverse cultures, Lista has experience working with Indigenous people throughout BC, Aborigenes (in Orange, NSW, Australia), Monpa (nomadic Himalayan tribe in North East India), as well as Indonesian, Singaporean, Thai, and Hong Kong Chinese.
Some of Lista’s core values include relationship, compassion, creativity, authenticity, integrity, and humour. With a passion for social justice, she focuses on cultivating welcoming and safe communities by using an intersectional and collaborative approach.
Lista specializes in supporting youth and adults who struggle with various forms of trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. She uses client-centred, strength-based, and trauma-sensitive approaches, integrating the therapeutic modalities of Art Therapy, Talk Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Nature-based Therapy. As part of the Relationship Matters Team which she’d been supporting as a volunteer since she was very young, Lista now co-facilitates workshops and also may be available as a 1:1 counsellor upon request.
Lista is passionate about ensuring everyone has the support and skills needed to express themselves, feel safe and consciously evolve to be their best selves, regardless of their circumstances.
Lista is also an artist and puppy mother (therapy dog in-training).
