The Grove & Co are inspired, global people and culture specialists.
Who we are
We work with high performance individuals along with purpose driven, growth oriented teams and companies.
what we do
Much like a grove of trees, we believe that we’re stronger together. We bring an element of fun to what we do, but take culture seriously. We nurture empowered teams, build thriving communities and educate on the impact of collective leadership.
Our HR advisory service focuses on resolving the underlying cause of any challenges.
While our executive coaching and talent management solutions facilitate your organisation’s growth and evolution of excellence.
We believe in cultivating strong roots, which set people up for success versus reacting to challenges with a temporary fix. It’s why we attract the disruptors, builders, creatives and the ones who move with pace.
Ready to foster this within your business? We’ll help you achieve it!
Learn about our solutions herE
We’ve had the pleasure of supporting leaders and teams within these global organizations + many more.
Rhonda spent 25 years leading and directing HR teams across diverse industry sectors in Canada, the United States, Australia and Asia Pacific. In January 2018, she shifted her focus from corporate leadership roles to start Bright Big Life– a coaching and consulting practice dedicated to creating high-performance cultures where individuals, teams and organisations thrive.
After 5 successful years abroad, Rhonda returned to Australia with her family and launched The Grove & Co. The company represents her passion for transforming teams while remaining authentic in their purpose and vision.
Throughout her experiences and accomplishments, Rhonda continues to support people to be their best and realise their full potential.
Meet our Founder
Rhonda Allen
People & Culture Partner | Executive Coach
She loves empowering others, opening their minds to explore what’s possible and eliminating blocks preventing them from getting there.
Her intuitive nature and compassionate approach ensure her customers are evolving themselves and their businesses in a safe space. Rhonda believes that providing support that is free of judgement for people to conquer their challenges is always a privilege.
Rhonda studied co-active coaching with CTI and holds credentials and certifications in Leadership Circle and Leadership Circle System, iEQ9 Enneagram Certified, Korn Ferry Leadership Architect and KF360 and holds a Bachelors of Commerce Degree, Majoring in Human Resources.
What’s your coaching style?
I’m highly intuitive and driven to support (and challenge) my clients compassionately. I love working with people to uncover the mindset, patterns and habits that may be holding them back from stepping into their fullest potential. My aim is to support them in unlocking their fullest expression of Self.
Why do you love what you do?
I find it very fulfilling to be able to form deep connections with people. I feel energised by empowering people and I’m immensely grateful for getting to play a part in their journey.
What’s your coaching specialty?
I work with CEOs, senior leaders, founders and broader leadership teams to help them: navigate change and rapid growth, build high performance teams, increase awareness, collaboration, connectedness and resilience.
What’s your happy place?
Having lived around the world in some very special places, it feels impossible to name just one. My shortlist in no particular order:
1) The drive from Vancouver to Whistler—the peaceful beauty of the surrounding mountains.
2) Balmoral Beach—the beautiful sand, clear blue water and a coffee.
3) On the lounge watching tv with my family.
4) On a plane on the way to explore a new place.
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
We don’t grow when things are easy. We grow when we face challenges.
With 20+ years of experience in corporate HR, Marina thrives on supporting SMEs build their people and strategy to achieve business milestones. She’s performed a variety of leadership roles across a wide range of industries. From media to music & entertainment to digital & IT; through to Government, banking & finance, and professional sport—she’s done it all.
As one of The Grove & Co's Executive Coaches, Marina is known for her charisma and uplifting energy–which she brings to tough situations. Her vibrant personality coupled with industry expertise helps clients rise above their challenges.
Also an accredited coach at The Grove & Co, Marina is known for creating a supportive and non-judgemental environment for each client to self-reflect and stretch their leadership and professional capabilities.
Meet
Marina Markovic
DIRECTOR OF OUTSOURCED HR SERVICES | PEOPLE & CULTURE PARTNER | EXECUTIVE COACH
Marina holds a Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in Psychology) and received her coaching accreditation through Human Synergistics LifeStyles Inventory (LSI) and Group Styles Inventory (GSI) tools.
What’s your coaching style?
I strive to be authentic and curious with my clients. I love exploring and helping people understand their strengths and gain insights on their opportunities for development.
Why do you love what you do?
It’s so rewarding to collaborate and problem solve and see the positive impact that we have with our clients.
What’s your coaching specialty?
My speciality is 360 degree feedback. I strongly believe that when it is done well, it is one of the most powerful development tools available. I use a variety of measurement tools that allow individuals to understand their thinking and behavioural styles to improve their effectiveness in their roles.
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
I am a firm believer that challenges help us to grow and if we always live in our comfort zone we drift and stagnate. It can be scary to put yourself in new situations and face uncertainty but the results are worth it.
Meet OUR
Team & Coaches
Tia Spowart
People & Culture Partner
lifestyle Coach
Get to know Tia
Megan Matsuda
People & Culture
Program Designer
Get to know Megan
Jonathan Yeo
DEI Consultant
Leadership Coach
Get to know Jonathan
At The Grove & Co, our team spans the globe, bringing decades of experience from Australia, Canada, the US, and Asia.
Talk to us today about how our international team of coaches and consultants can support your leaders, teams and business.
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Tia brings a vibrancy and uplifting energy to every room she enters. She’s worked alongside our Founder, Rhonda for over 5 years on Talent Strategy and Culture Development programs and continuously advances her professional development to help others shine. She’s deeply passionate about movement, health, mindset and how this integrates with business and leadership.
Tia champions her values of authenticity, excellence and connection. Her former roles include Executive Leadership Support at Aritzia and serving People + Culture programs for a North American athleisure retailer and leading fitness classes for world renowned companies SoulCycle and The Class.
Her qualifications encompass Lifestyle Coaching, CTI’s Co-Active Leadership Coaching; Precision Nutrition Level 1 and Precision Nutrition’s Holistic Wellness Coaching.
Tia Spowart
What’s your coaching style:
My coaching style strikes a balance of being direct and supportive with kindness, compassion and authenticity to ground the energy. I have a gift of being energetically receptive and follow my instinct. I like to consider myself as a guide and my current clients call me their “health guru”!
Why do you love what you do?
I view movement as the physical expression of our heart’s desires and longings. It is far more than something we tick off a list. I am at my happiest when moving my body to the rhythm of my favourite music, or in the peace and quiet outdoors!
What’s your coaching specialty?
Leadership Coaching, Women’s Health and Lifestyle Design: inspiring, cultivating and optimising human vibrance through values-based consulting and coaching. It is my mission in life to optimise and inspire human vibrance.
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
Your most vibrant, authentic life is already living and breathing inside of you, and it’s that authentic energy that the world needs.
Get to know Tia
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Megan has a magical way of simplifying the complex. She takes abstract ideas and distils them into a crystalised framework.. Her ability to synthesise multiple ideas around a table and communicate these back, moves a team forward.
With diverse operational experience across various industries, Megan brings a wealth of insight to The Grove & Co Her career began at Aritzia Consulting in the Strategy and Operations department. Megan was responsible for business infrastructure development and project management across multiple areas within the company, but later exclusively for People & Culture.
In 2018, Megan made the transition to Fujiya, a Japanese grocery chain in B.C., Canada and her family's business of nearly 50 years. In addition to furthering the growth and development of Fujiya, through Strategy, Operations and HR initiatives, Megan collaborates with The Grove & Co as a People & Culture Program Designer helping to design People Practices with purpose for our clients.
Megan Matsuda
Why do you love what you do?
I have a passion for continuous development/improvement and love sharing knowledge with others. Solving puzzles, organising, and creating clarity from chaos also delights me.
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
Don't wait for that spark of inspiration to start—sometimes it never comes. Take that small first step today.
Get to know Megan
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Jonathan is passionate about potential: helping leaders create cultures that support it, building teams that enable it, and helping individuals pursue it. His experience includes ten years at Apple in diversity, inclusion, and leadership development roles, and he currently consults, coaches, and facilitates in these areas to organisations that include tech, life sciences, retail, finance, entertainment, education and manufacturing.
Jonathan's clients value his commitment to driving real change - helping turn motivating insights into meaningful actions that create new normals. He is an agile partner, moving easily between engaged listener, idea generator, provocative challenger, and consensus-builder as best fits the needs of the individual or organisation.
Jonathan Yeo
What’s your coaching style:
My aim as a coach is to create an environment that enables individuals to explore challenges, questions, and possibilities to create goals and design actions that move them forward. With a priority on client-generated insights and plans, I offer suggestions, examples and experiences where helpful for the client to broaden their options, ideas, and potential focuses.
Why do you love what you do?
It’s a privilege to see people move forward, overcome challenges and accelerate their growth. I’ve benefited immensely from coaching, and I’ve seen the benefits to so many others.
What’s your coaching specialty:
Inclusive leadership and interpersonal skills development.
What's one piece of wisdom you have to share?
Curiosity is a superpower.
Get to know Jonathan
Anita Anand
Leadership Coach Facilitator
Get to know Anita
Daphne Kao
Sr People & Culture Consultant
Leadership & CareEr Coach
Get to know Daphne
Elly Simmons
Executive Coach
Facilitator
Get to know ELLY
Jamison Teske
Leadership & Career Coach
Get to know Jamison
Valerie Cherneski
Executive Coach
Career Strategist
Get to know Valerie
Lisa Rogoff
Executive Coach
Facilitator
Get to know Lisa
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Anita has an enigmatic presence and is known for her highly intuitive approach. Her ability to create a safe space for clients is what allows people to open and flourish into their truest potential. That said, she’ll challenge any limiting beliefs, make empowering requests and help clients achieve clarification on their journey. With a degree in Psychology and as a former Montessori Teacher/Principal for over 25 years, she brings a unique skillset to her clients.
Her certifications include: Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) from the Coaches Training Institute and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coaches Federation. Anita is also a speaker, a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator and Certified Dare To Lead™ Facilitator for Dr. Brené Brown’s work.
Anita Anand
What’s your coaching style:
My approach to coaching is about you (the client) as a whole person: your values, goals, work, dreams, balance and life purpose. We will always work together to design a plan that is specific to you. Throughout our coaching partnership, the conversations will continue to be very direct and personal. The purpose of our interaction is to hold your focus on your desired outcome and to coach you to stay clear, focused and in action.
Why do you love what you do?
Coaching is not just a vocation for me. It’s my purpose and it feeds my passion for creating transformation and reconnecting people to their authentic selves. Witnessing my clients experience the freedom to make empowering choices in life, and live a life fully aligned with their values, is by far the most gratifying outcome.
What’s your coaching specialty:
Helping my clients become more self-aware so they have the courage to cultivate a life of authenticity, healthy boundaries, and clear/respectful communication.
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
Make vulnerability your friend so you can always speak/stand tall in your truth. Ask for what you need, and take the very best care of yourself.
Get to know Anita
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Daphne is a relationship builder, who’s admired for being an authentic business partner, coach and collaborator. She navigates details swiftly and always remains connected to the strategic vision. Her agility is second to none–making her the woman that builds and flies the plane simultaneously.
Bringing 14 years of experience in HR leadership roles working in both corporate and start-up environments, her sweet spot is partnering with dynamic businesses going through significant growth and change.
Daphne has also spent a number of years at the most admired Canadian fashion brand, Aritzia as a senior Talent Partner across Retail Operations, Customer Service, Store Development, E-commerce, Marketing and in retail stores.
Daphne brings a contagious positive energy to her work and everyone around her.
Daphne Kao
What’s your coaching style:
Empowerment and accountability of the individual.
Why do you love what you do?
This is very cliché but I truly love working with people. I am very people-oriented and love opportunities to interact.
What’s your coaching specialty?
Working with individuals about to embark on a personal or professional change in their lives.
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
Someone once told me to focus on my strengths. That has resonated with me since; not only in my personal life but also professionally when working with individuals in a coaching capacity.
Get to know Daphne
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Elly’s energetic presence and passion for coaching began during her 18-year career in Senior HR Generalist roles. After working with leaders at atDeloitte, Dimension Data, Microsoft and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, she commenced her coach training in 2006. By 2013, she formally took the leap to focus purely on leadership coaching and now offers a combination of one-on-one and team coaching.
Elly is accredited as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation and holds tertiary qualifications in Psychology. She completed coach training as an Associate Certified Meta Coach (ACMC), Level 1 Coach Training through the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership, and Level 2 Coach Training with Performance Consultants International.
Elly Simmons
What’s your coaching specialty?
I am a relationship driven, whole person-centred coach. I like my sessions to be purposeful, fun and impactful.
Why do you love what you do?
It’s a privilege to partner with great leaders and to be trusted to work with them on those things that challenge them most. One of the things I love most about coaching is never really knowing what you’re stepping into, and being on the journey of uncovering what can be achieved together.
What’s your coaching specialty?
Two common themes I facilitate my clients through is finding self-confidence or overcoming “imposter syndrome” as a leader. I love working with clients who are eager to grow, ready to develop, want to re-energise in their role, or tackle those things holding them back.
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
“You got this!”
Get to know Elly
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Jamison is a role model for empathic leadership. He’s led a global lifestyle and brings 18 years of experience leading marketing, sales and operation teams in the US, China and Japan. He’s known for generously offering his full and complete presence to others, deep listening and insightful and reflective mentorship. Jamison empowers leaders and teams to use their strengths to positively enhance their lives and the company they work for.
His coaching qualifications include NeuroMindfulness Practitioner-Level Coach Certificate with the NeuroMindfulness Institute and Certified Trained Coach and Brain-Based Coach with the NeuroLeadership Institute. Jamison also has a BA in Journalism & Communications and has studied conscious leadership and business development practices in the InnerMBA program.
Jamison Teske
What’s your coaching style:
As neuroscience research presents, no two minds are the same, so I use a self-directed coaching approach. Essentially, I help clients make their own connections and insights based on their own experiences.
Why do you love what you do?
I love to see individuals go beyond what they felt their capabilities were by activating their inner strength and wisdom.
What’s your coaching specialty:
Neuroscience and mindfulness-based coaching practices.
Structural and Discovery Coaching methods designed to personalise and create deep personal transformation.
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
“Don’t seek time to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they are.” - Epictetus
Get to know Jamison
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Valerie is known for her unmatched ability to form genuine connections with her clients. She intuitively understands their needs, and creates the conditions that facilitate transformation on their coaching journey. Valerie’s work ethic focuses on each client's goals for change, as well as the bigger picture. Her unparalleled dedication to her clients is what produces sustained success, and inspires them to continually show up and eagerly do the work, no matter how busy life gets.
Her coaching qualifications include Coaches Training Institute (CPCC credential), International Coach Federation (PCC credential) and The Leadership Circle 360 Degree Assessment Certification. She also has a BA in Psychology and BA of Civil Law.
Valerie Cherneski
What’s your coaching style:
To develop my client’s leadership style, address complex, difficult workplace situations with greater ease, and turn challenges into opportunities for growth and excellence. I rely on a strengths-based approach, believing that continued success and advancement requires building upon one’s strengths, and capitalising on opportunities at every turn.
Why do you love what you do?
I love the individual connection. I want to understand what makes my clients tick, and use that to create the change they want for themselves.
What’s your coaching specialty:
Leadership Development, Relationship & Communication Skills, Confidence & Resilience , Time Management & Work/Life Integration, Role Transition, Self-assessment & 360° Feedback
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
“What got you here won’t get you there” – it’s important to always be upping your game, learning new skills, and mindfully developing in the direction you’re heading.
Get to know Valerie
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Grounded in radical candour, Lisa is an executive coach and facilitator who works with executives and high potential leaders to unlock their potential. Her direct and compassionate style promotes an open dialogue and allows her clients to bring out the inspirational leader within–so they may go on and inspire others.
Lisa has formed and led teams across a diverse range of industries (human rights, nonprofits, advocacy organisations, for-profits, start ups) and settings (Washington, DC, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Charlottesville, VA, and San Francisco, CA). Before founding Launch Project, she led marketing and product management teams for a research-based assessment, training, and professional development company. Lisa is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC). She is certified on the Enneagram and the Leadership Circle Profile, a 360-degree assessment and has extensive training and experience in team coaching and adult development.
Lisa Rogoff
What’s your coaching style:
My coaching style rests on three core principles: presence, trust, and candour.
Why do you love what you do?
I love partnering with my clients to uncover their creativity and potential. There's nothing better than when a client sees their strengths, finds a better way, or understands and commits to making a meaningful change in their lives.
What’s your coaching specialty?
I work with executives and teams on a variety of topics - their authentic leadership style, how to create high performance cultures, psychological safety, and designing a feedback culture. All of which are focused on maturing the leaders and shedding light on their strengths and blindspots.
What’s one piece of wisdom you have to share?
“The best things in life are often waiting for you at the exit ramp of your comfort zone.” -Karen Salmansohn
