At Rhodes Wellness College, we are dedicated to providing programs that are not only guided by academic thoroughness but are also deeply attuned to the evolving needs of our dynamic society. Our commitment to excellence is fortified by the active involvement of our Professional Advisory Council (PAC), an integral component of our academic ecosystem. The PAC council plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Rhodes’ programs remain at the forefront of industry standards and are responsive to the shifting demands of the market. As you embark on your educational journey with Rhodes Wellness College, rest assured that you are not just part of an institution, you are part of a community that is dedicated to shaping futures and making a positive impact on society.
Feras Ghesen
Feras Ghesen is a seasoned professional in the field of education, with over 20 years of experience in both private and public post-secondary institutions. Currently serving as the Associate Director for the School of Trades, Technology and Design at Vancouver Community College. With a passion for teaching, Feras finds immense satisfaction in sharing his extensive knowledge with students. He specializes in instructing business and project management courses, providing students with the skills and tools necessary to excel in their chosen fields. Feras’s educational background includes an MBA from the University of Phoenix, which has equipped him with a strong foundation in business administration and strategic thinking. Additionally, he holds a Master of Educational Leadership (ME.d) degree from Simon Fraser University, enabling him to incorporate effective and innovative leadership skills in diverse educational contexts. Feras is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a prestigious accreditation that further enhances his ability to deliver comprehensive and practical knowledge to medium and large projects. His expertise in project management allows him to foster a collaborative working environment and shares his experiences with students to prepare them for real-world challenges.
Rebecca Chow
Rebecca Chow is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, Trauma Specialist, and Coach, residing and working on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Shishalh Nation. Rebecca comes from a professional background working in both Western and Integrative Medicine; as well as having worked with the RCMP in the Organized Crime Unit. Her focus is supporting those with Trauma, Grief, and Addictions; and works primarily to support first responders, people struggling with homelessness and addiction, and those receiving care through Hospice. Her aim is to always view things from a holistic lens, recognizing that everything is interconnected; and when one system is not functioning well, there will be a ripple effect of symptoms. While Rebecca runs an ever-growing private practice – RC Therapeutics; she also works closely with the Community Action Team, Raincity, and Hospice, providing support to peers and staff through individual care and group training programs. Rebecca believes that we are born with all the innate knowledge to heal; sometimes we just need a little support.
Helen Rose Diotte
Helen Rose is a speaker, author, and coach known for her ability to move, educate, and relate to crowds with her motivation and humour. She believes in the endurance of the human spirit. Her journey has given her the voice to share her story with others who may have traveled along similar paths. It is her personal goal to help others find their gift in their journey.
Faris Khalifeh
Faris is an international certified life/leadership coach, consultant, and facilitator with over 10 years of experience working with clients from different industries ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies. His corporate background has given him a unique perspective on life coaching, leadership, and training. Faris coached more than 1,000 leaders globally across many industries. His passion for coaching is visible through all his work, including teaching, mentoring, consulting, community development, and serving on boards, including The International Coaching Federation (ICF) in 2017. Faris is also a Keynote Speaker and spoke at many international events alongside well-recognized thought leaders such as Bob Burg, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, and Dorie Clark. Prior to becoming a coach, Faris spent 10 years in the workplace, having held senior roles in management and leadership.
Leanne Young
As the Executive Director and Founder of the Health Coach Alliance, Leanne has built a thriving community of health coaches and spearheaded initiatives that drive professional growth, collaboration, and excellence in the field. She is committed to advancing the health coaching profession in Canada and internationally by advocating for further recognition with insurance companies and employers. Health coaching is a necessary addition to a new client care model that will support and empower the client to take control of their own health through evidence-based approaches, while reducing physician burnout. It is her goal to see a health coach integrated into every clinic and wellness centre across the world.
Carolyn Rhodes
Carolyn works for Family Services of Greater Vancouver. Family Services of Greater Vancouver has been helping people in crisis since 1928. As a non-profit, FSGV helps people develop skills and knowledge, and empower its neighbours to create positive change in their lives. The staff, including expert counsellors and support workers, help youth experiencing homelessness, families and children impacted by trauma, victims of domestic violence, and other vulnerable people from an evidence-based, trauma-informed lens — all while providing compassionate, client-centered care. Carolyn is passionate about providing support to the hardworking employees she serves. HR is her chosen field, however, HR really chose her. HR presents an opportunity to inject new creativity to solve challenges. This profession allows her to be a resource to others and serve those who work so hard to give so much of themselves to their clients.
Casey Vickers
Casey Vickers (they/them/theirs) is an uninvited settler of European ancestry who lives, works, and plays on the ancient, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), skxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations – colonially known as Vancouver, BC. They have worked in the social service sector to advance equity and justice for all women and other folks vulnerablized by their gender in the DTES for over 20 years. They are currently the Program Manager at the Vancouver Women’s Health Collective Society, a not-for-profit charitable organization that supports all who identify as women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming to foster health, wellness, and equity through intersectional feminist approaches to advocacy, shared knowledge, and low-barrier programs & services.
Lois Edge
Lois Edge is Assistant Professor, Indigenous Studies, School of Continuing Education, at MacEwan University and Faculty Lead in Indigenous Education at Yorkville University. Lois earned a doctorate in Educational Policy Studies, Indigenous Peoples Education specialization, and Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Alberta. Raised at Fort Smith and Hay River, Northwest Territories, she is a member of the Northwest Territory Metis Nation, a descendent of Francois Beaulieu. She is a mother and grandmother, residing at Amiskwaciwâskahikan, returning often to visit Thebacha, alongside the Slave River at Denendeh, homeland of her French néhiyaw Dënesųłiné Metis and Dinjii Zhuh Scots Metis/British ancestors. Lois served as Cultural Advisor to Dene Wellness Warriors and Rhodes Wellness College during the first cohort offering of the Northern Indigenous Counselling program 2020/22.
Bea Rhodes
Bea Rhodes is a Registered Professional Counsellor, and Counselling Supervisor. She founded Rhodes Wellness College in 1996. She holds a Master of Education (Adult Education) from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelors Degree from Simon Fraser University. For many years, Bea was a college instructor and contract trainer for the University College of the Fraser Valley. She worked in the Federal and Provincial Prison system, providing counselling and conducting Life Skills programs for convicted offenders. Additionally, she has designed and instructed many counselling, wellness, and personal development programs over the past thirty years. Bea believes that we are all interconnected and that “hurt people hurt people.” Bea teaches the Basic Counselling and Trauma sections in the Life Skills Counselling semester.
Eva Kelades
Eva has been providing mental health services since 1991. Expanding her education and skills, Eva became a Registered Professional Counsellor with the CPCA in 2006 and has been a Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling since 2011. Eva has consistently engaged in community work and has passionately served in a variety of local and national non-profit organizations. She has supported a number of organizations such as the Elizabeth Fry Society and as Director and Mentor of community children and youth programs, as well as Media Director for a street program working in the inner city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2010, Eva began her service to the CPCA as the National Director for Atlantic Canada, becoming Vice-President in 2013 and then National President in 2015. In each of these positions, she worked along the path of exceptional strategic planning with the National Board of Directors ensuring the highest standards of “Excellence in Competence.” Eva’s belief is that collaboration creates the best work, and she has proven this to be true through her efforts with members, staff, board members, committee members, education providers and other counselling organizations.
