Testimonials

“Using her skills as a life coach, Cathy offers a refreshing perspective in empowering others. She not only provided me with tools to be proactive in making changes in my life, she did so with confidence that is infectious! Her commitment is clear”. - Ingrid

“Cathy’s coaching has provided me with strength to develop new beginnings. She is someone that I can count on. It is great to know that there is someone I can check in with”.  - A.L.

“Cathy is a focused individual who is a pleasure to speak to and has a unique style that allowed me to open up to her and critically look at myself. Truly a rewarding experience”.   - Shoppers Drug Mart employee.

"Although I was open to exploring my life and identifying areas in need of improvement, I admit I wasn’t sure what to expect from 'coaching'  ...  for those who are in transition or who simply feel “stuck” and are motivated to make some conscious changes, coaching offers the opportunity to uncover a fuller, more satisfying life."  - Janet Lees in On The Bay Magazine, Winter 2008

"My coaching experience with Cathy has been motivating in a way that lets me see that it is alright to allow my self to go after those dreams I want in life.  Revealing the tools that I have allows me to succeed. I can now trust myself to seek a career and not just a job." - B. B.

“I feel very positive about the future and I think the Wheel of Life is looking a little more round as the days move along. I just wanted to thank you for your guidance”.  - Previous client

Leadership Qualities

Straight forward; articulate; honest; strong organizer; effective blend of doer, dreamer and detailer; energetic; stamina; risk taker - willing to go where someone else has not; encouraging; intelligence; commitment; sincerity; reliable; approachable; fun and funny! M.L

My experience with Cathy as a leader is primarily around meetings.She is always prepared and inclusive in the sense of making sure that everyone with input has an opportunity to say their piece. She is enthusiastic, energetic and able to stay focused on the task at hand. I appreciate her ability to identify qualities in individuals and her sense of humour. What makes Cathy different is her excellent communication skills, and certainly her enthusiasm and upbeat attitude! - G.M. - Town of the Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce

You possess strong cognitive skills in combination with a future oriented, big picture world view and are creative, insightful, and determined.  You appear confident to others and have a ‘bias for action.  You tend towards holding strong opinions.  You’re great at inspiring groups and helping them achieve more than they might have believed possible. - Philip Blackford, Vice President, Right Management

Accessibility Solutions

Walk 21 Conference - October 2011 

Accessiblity - A Perspective by Anna Chudyk - Conference participant

"This week I have been volunteering at and attending the Walk 21 conference in Vancouver. I went to a breakout session this afternoon whose theme was accessibility. First the focus was older adults, then it shifted to those with any mobility aid device. Two of the speakers - Heather McCain and Catherine Smart really changed my already expanding perspective of how I view(ed) accessibility. A major them that I took away from both of their talks was that so many of us are looking at "disabled" persons' interactions with the built environment from the wrong angle. As a health researcher, I've predominately approached disability with a health lens. But in the context of the built environment - disability is very much a social issue; an issue of inclusion.

I am not normally a big movie watcher - and definitely not a fan of Disney movies unless they're from my early childhood - but I really (uncharacteristically) like Disney's "Lilo and Stitch". There is one part of the movie that really resonated with me all these years and I never really knew why it meant so much to me until today, when listening to Heather and Catherine speak. At one point in the movie, Lilo turns to Stitch and says, "Ohama means family. Nobody gets left behind".

That is it! That is what inaccessible environments are about - about being left behind. As Heather and Catherine were talking and showing examples of accessible and inaccessible places, I started thinking about and feeling what it would feel like to be constantly excluded. Told and showen "no, you can't do this...this is not for you...or not for you without alot of effort" over and over again. Catherine also spoke about the concept of the "one step" and how something as simple as one step with no ramp access is saying - "You are not welcome". I sat with that concept. Sat in the essence of what it meant. Sat in the feelings of discomfort. Sat in what the Universe was helping me to see. You are not welcome. Then all these feelings of empathy and exclusion pervaded through my body. You are not welcome. You are getting left behind. But nobody gets left behind. If firmly believe what John Lennon meant when he sang that, "I am he as you are he, as you are me, and we are all together". We are all together. Or we are supposed to be".

Cathy approaches each project she undertakes with a clear vision of its' objectives and purpose. She begins with a conceptualization of the endeavor and then maps out the stages required to complete the job. She maintains a high level of focus throughout each stage of the project. All her efforts are driven by the goal at hand and as a leader she ensures that those working with her also remain on track. She leads with passion. She leads by example. She possesses a very high dedication level, energy level and a positive and pro-active attitude. Her leadership style and efforts are motivated by the desire to have a positive impact on others. - Past employee

‘The final report was detailed and well presented. Catherine is an extremely knowledgeable individual in the area of accessibility issues and provided accurate; up to date information in a professional manner’. - Director - Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

"The presenter - Catherine was excellent! She made the topic very interesting. I definitely came away with a better appreciation of the subject matter (customer service for persons with a disability) and why it is important in the workplace; as well as at home". Employee - City of Burlington