Alison Dennis

Results-driven professional with a progressive management career in the Health and Wellness field. Skilled at developing and executing targeted business initiatives that drive customer satisfaction and growth, leading to an enhanced bottom-line and achievement of business objectives. Highly effective communicator, program designer and project manager with a proven ability to build relationships with internal and external customers by establishing a high level of confidence and trust.

Professional Strengths

Professional Experience

 City of Richmond:             1998 to present

Corporate Wellness Coordinator                                                                                         2010 – present

Management of the City of Richmond’s Employee Wellness program which provides a diverse workforce with a full spectrum of wellness programs and services ranging from an internal coaching program to research programs measuring the impact physical activity, lifestyle education and coaching on the reduction of benefit costs.

Strategic Planning:

·         Creating a Healthy Organization – A strategic discussion paper outlining an expanded wellness program mandate, focusing on reducing costs to the employer for stress-related illnesses, lost productivity and benefit costs

·         Member of Corporate Strategic team “Our People” – focus on developing and engaging the workforce

Innovative Program Design:

·         Launched an internal coaching pilot program for Employees (first municipality to deliver an internal coaching program)

·         Developed Firefighter Centre of Excellence – Business case for the delivery of a tailored, full spectrum wellness 

Strategic Partnerships and Alliances:

 ·  Leveraged a partnership with the University of British Columbia to deliver an innovative Wellness program - first of its kind in North America. Data gathered from this research has been published in several prestigious Kinesiology, and Health and Wellness publications

Educator, Certified Professional Coach and Mentor:

·         Mentor for the Richmond Corporate University

·         Course facilitator for Presentation Skills program for Richmond Corporate University

Manager Special Projects, Richmond Olympic Oval (seconded position)              2008 to 2010

The premier venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic winter games, the Richmond Olympic Oval  employed over 150 full time, salaried and auxiliary staff and offers a vast array of sport and wellness opportunities.

Strategic Planning:

·         Developed the strategic plan for the Richmond Olympic Oval’s Centre of Excellence for Wellness and Performance Leadership

Policy Development:

·         Developed the privacy policy for Oval memberships

·         Developed the membership agreement policy

·         Developed and managed the Emergency Response team for the Oval

·         Developed the Emergency Response Plan for all large scale events for the Oval and day to day operations

Human Resource Advisor:

·         Led the hiring process for the current staff complement (150 full and part time staff)

·         Developed the system to manage employee offer letters, employee personnel

·         Developed the job profiles for the various functional areas

·         Developed and delivered the new staff orientation program

·         Provided support to ongoing staff recruitment to meet the growing needs of the facility

Occupational Health and Safety:

·         Development of Emergency Response protocols

·         Development of an employee occupational health and safety handbook

·         Follow up and conducting of accident investigations for all accident reports (customer and staff)

·         Development of a customized Standard First aid level course to meet the unique needs of the Richmond Olympic Oval

·         Development, implementation and training of staff on all occupational health and safety policies and procedures

Project Leader, Richmond Olympic Oval (seconded position)                                 2007 to 2008

Strategic Partnerships and Alliances:

·         Planned and implemented the Health and Fitness Summit. A two day event that brought together industry leaders from throughout BC to advice on trends and operational best practices and fitness equipment selection for the Richmond Olympic Oval

Innovative Program Design:

·         Spearheaded strategic planning sessions with physicians and sport scientists from UBC Sports Medicine, and physicians, physiotherapists and nurses to develop a service delivery model that would provide a full continuum of health programs and services that positioned the Richmond Olympic Oval as the leader in chronic disease self-management and exercise adherence programs and research

·         Developed and designed an indoor rowing and cycling studio that is the first of its kind in Canada

Project Management:

·         Team lead for the development of and marketing of programs and services for the Health, Fitness and Wellness spaces at the Richmond Olympic Oval

·         Designed all the physical spaces for the Health, Wellness, and Fitness areas of operation (30,000 sq feet),Many of these being the first of their kind in BC

·         Coordinated and managed all the “request for proposals” for fitness equipment

Financial Management:

·         Management of an equipment budget of $2 million dollars. Negotiated an estimated $40,000 savings with fitness equipment vendors that included all staff training at no cost and equipment warranties being extended 1-2 years beyond what is the typical timeframe provided by fitness equipment suppliers

Fitness and Wellness Services Coordinator                                                            1998 to 2007

City of Richmond’s liaison to community partners, including Health, Community Associations, School Board and Not-for-Profit Agencies. Provided coaching, mentoring and support to Community Centre managers. Spearheaded the development of a risk management strategy to reduce the City’s liability exposure, budget development and management, staff training. Developed, and implemented the City of Richmond’s Corporate Wellness program.

Strategic Partnerships and Alliances:

·         Creation and implementation of the first-ever community-based Wellness Centre in Richmond. Working with a cross-functional team of healthcare practitioners and community stakeholders, the Garratt Wellness Centre was able to offer programs to residents living with a variety of chronic diseases. The Garratt Wellness Centre has attracted international attention for its unique partnership model. This project was also part of the award submission for the International LivCom awards, which the City of Richmond was awarded first place in the Livable Community category.

Educator, Coach and Mentor:

·         Course Conductor for the provincial Fitness Theory and Practical courses. Trained and certified more than 400 fitness professionals from across British Columbia. Students in my courses achieved a 98% success rate on the provincial certification exam

·         Course Conductor for the provincial Supervisor’s School for fitness professionals -  supervisory skills necessary to manage fitness facilities.

·  Insights Discovery Session 

Business Case Development:

·         City of Richmond’s Corporate Wellness program –Development of and endorsement of the City of Richmond’s corporate wellness program business plan

·         Garratt Wellness Centre - planned, wrote and implemented the Garratt Wellness Centre Strategy, resulting in a brand new level of service for  those living with one or more chronic illnesses

Event Marketing and Management :

·         Working Towards Wellness– Developed and launched First ever BC Municipal Wellness Coordinator Conference

·         Richmond Fitness Conference- Provided quality educational opportunities for the fitness staff from across Richmond and Greater Vancouver area. The first year had more than 100 fitness leaders in attendance

·         Warmup to 2010 Staff Challenge – Developed and implemented the highly successful employee physical activity team event. This fun employee challenge consistently had over 200 staff participate from across the organization. The event’s focus was to build team spirit amongst work units, improve levels of physical activity amongst staff and to enhance corporate culture

Selected Awards and Achievements

·         International LivCom award (community Health Promotion programs – Garratt Wellness Centre and Employee Wellness program) - 2006

·         BC Medical Associations’ Excellence in Health Promotion (Community Health Promotion programs – Garratt Wellness Centre and Employee Wellness program) award - 2003

·         Chair of the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association’s Fitness Advisory Council for 5 years. During my term as council chair, the Council changed the face of the Fitness industry in BC with the launch of the following programs:

o    National Recognition for BC Fitness Leader certification and a national insurance coverage for all registered fitness professionals

o    Development of both a Yoga and Pilates provincial certification

o    Development of the first ever 5 year strategic business plan for the fitness branch

o    Development of the Trainer of Trainer module and associated mentorship program

Education/Professional

• Certified Professional Coactive Coach through Coaches Training Institute
• Supervisor Training Certificate program
• Canadian Medical Lab Technologist – British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Trainer of Trainers – BC Recreation and Parks Association
• Certified Insights Facilitator (in-process)

Professional Development:

• Certificate in the Fundamentals of Effective Leadership – Justice Institute of BC
• Art of Facilitation – Sauder School of Business
• Think on Your Feet Program
• Project Management

Professional Affiliations:

·         BC Recreation and Parks Association

·         International Coaching Federation