We Create inspiring events for SHSM students

nice To Meet You!

We're honoured you're interested in who we are.
Here's what we all have in common.

We Care

We believe in helping students create fulfilling careers.

We're Odd

In life, we took the road
​less-travelled.

We're Partners

We work together to create awesome experiences.
Know what's better than reading about us?
​
​Meeting us!

The People behind the faces behind the magic...

Joel Hilchey

CEO

Joel is an ideas guy. His gift seems to stem from a strange combination of observation, insight, and blatant disregard for conventional thinking.

He's also a juggler (literally and figuratively). In addition to leading the Beanstalk Creative team, he maintains a busy schedule as a keynote speaker, creating unforgettable spectacles on stage. He's the father of 3 kids, 2 of whom co-habitated a uterus, and he attempts to be a good husband. Joel has authored 3 books, (2 of them with Brandon), and he taught engineering for over a decade at McMaster University, where he was named one of the Top 150+ Alumni. He formerly chaired the board of the world-renowned Hamilton Children’s Choir, and he's a semi-competitive joggler (that's right... juggling whilst jogging). 

Joel is almost certainly the best barbershop quartet singer on the team.

Chelsea Duckworth

General Manager

Chelsea is usually people's first point of contact with Beanstalk. She comes from a big family, which is probably why she's so good at being helpful. In fact, if you find yourself talking with her, consider yourself lucky, because a) she's really kind, and b) you can rest assured that she'll help you get what you need.

On a personal note, Chelsea likes golf, and she dreams of hitting a hole in one. But for now, client feedback saying "she knocked it out of the park" will have to suffice. (...even though in golf, that's usually bad.)

​According to her 5-month old nephew, she's the coolest aunt on the team.

Emma-Lee Bernais

Manager of Programs & Partnerships

Emma-Lee keeps Beanstalk running smoothly, whether she’s coordinating with our facilitator team, finding awesome community partners, or building clever systems that make everyone’s lives easier. She’s also the friendly face (and inbox) behind many of Beanstalk’s projects, helping turn big ideas into real experiences.

Before joining Beanstalk, Emma-Lee spent years in the theatre world, where she learned the art of coordinating actors... a skill that turns out to be surprisingly transferable. As a proud French Canadian, she’s helped Beanstalk connect with more French schools across the province, proving that good ideas are even better en deux langues.
​
Unofficially, Emma-Lee holds the title of “Most Likely to Have Already Made a Colour-Coded Plan.”

ANGela halBert

Office & Operations Manager

Angela is the calm at the centre of Beanstalk’s creative storm. She keeps the schedules organized, the invoices flowing, and the rest of us wonderfully on track. Whether it’s a payment, a project, or a last-minute curveball, Angela handles it all with grace, good humour, and her signature Scottish charm.
​
She’s the one we all turn to when things get busy, confusing, or just plain weird - and somehow, she always makes it feel easy.

When she’s not keeping Beanstalk running smoothly, Angela’s either spending time with her family or on a snowboard somewhere, proving that balance isn’t just for spreadsheets.

Angela is the undisputed queen of payable and polite reminders.​

And that's not all!

To help us deliver inspiring, relevant content, Beanstalk builds partnerships with exciting organizations.
Here are just some of the dynamic companies and non-profits that we are honoured to call collaborators:

Book a speaker today!

JOEL HILCHEY

JUGGLER ​& CEO
CAREERS, LEADERSHIP, CREATIVITY

Amy Tepperman

DAncer & Movement-Based Curriculum Designer
well-being, leadership,
​creativity

ANTO CHAN

​COMEDIAN & EXPRESSIVE ART THERAPIST
RESILIENCE, CREATIVITY,
​SELF-EMPOWERMENT​​​

MICKAËL GIROUARD

 BILINGUAL EX-COMEDIAN
​TURNED ACTOR
CAreers, Pressure,
High-Performance Habits
​FRENCH LANGUAGE AVAILABLE

Nick Adams

Children's entertainment icon
CAREERS,
​Creativity & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Étienne Vendette

MAGICIAN & MOTIVATOR
CAREERS
LEADERSHIP
​CREATIVITY
​FRENCH LANGUAGE AVAILABLE

BRANDON LOVE

MAGICIAN & MIND BENDER
​CREATIVITY, HABITS, CAREERs,
​Leadership

KATHLEEN HILCHEY

CONFLICT SPECIALIST
Anti-bullying, Conflict Coaching, Effective Communication, 

STEVE DANIEL

ACTOR &
​BILINGUAL TV PRODUCER
BECOMING AN INFLUENCER, ENTREPRENEURSHIP
If you're creating something awesome for students, we can help.
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