Our Team

1. Educate yourself about coaching. Hundreds of articles have been written about it in the last 3-5 years.
2. Know your objectives for working with a coach.
3. Interview three coaches before you decide on one. Ask them about their experience, qualifications, skills, and ask for at least two references.
4. Remember, coaching is an important relationship. There should be a connection between you and the coach that "feels" right to you.

Founded in 2002 by Denise Findlay, a member of the Squamish Nation, Chameleon partners with professional in the field who share a passion for illuminating the potential in individuals, relationships and teams.

Denise Findlay, CPCC, ACC
Professional Coach and Founder of Chameleon: Strategies for Creative Change

Throughout her 17-year career Denise has filled various multidisciplinary roles and gained invaluable experience from her work with corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, First Nations individuals and administrations, and small businesses.

Denise has excelled in the areas of personal and organizational development due to her high level of commitment to her clients and the passion she has for what she does having once said, I didn't choose coaching, it chose me. Denise thoroughly enjoys being a catalyst for change and a facilitator of growth and transformation, believing that everyone is naturally creative, resourceful, whole, and holds the ability to move towards positive transformation and flourish under all circumstances. Whether working with individuals, relationships, teams or communities her goal is to increase the client€s positivity and awareness leading to transcendence of their self-imposed limitations. Denise uses her gifts of intuition, authenticity, and insight in combination with her unique abilities as a professional coach to elicit the existing creativity, skills, and potential from within the client. Her approach enhances the process of learning, forwards action, increases effectiveness, and furthers the fulfillment of her client€s organization, team, community, or personal goals.

Denise currently holds a Diploma in Business Management from Capilano College, an Instructors Certificate from the Justice Institute, and a BC Provincial Instructors Diploma from Vancouver Community College. Denise is one of few First Nations Certified Professional Coaches in Canada and is certified through the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and has advanced training in Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) from the Center for Right Relationship.

Denise was born and raised in North Vancouver to a mother of European decent, and a father of Coast Salish and Tsimshian heritage. She currently resides in West Vancouver on the Capilano reserve with her husband Jay, her son Jake, and their dog Heidi where they take a holistic approach to life. Denise feels lucky to have such a beautiful family and grateful that she is able to share her life with them.

Tereasa Haywood Golka ACC, NLPP
Co-Founder of Chameleon: Strategies for Creative Change

Tereasa, born of Native American heritage on her father's side and European descent on her mother's side, is an in-depth Personal and Team coach trained by one of the world's leading training institutes, CTI (Coach Training Institute), and is a certified member of the International Coaching Federation. A graduate of CTI€s advanced studies in Co-Active Leadership and Organization Relationships Systems Coaching (ORSC) through the Center for Right Relationship, Tereasa is certified to administer and train using the Team Diagnostic System. She is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, certified Yoga instructor and has trained in various Meditation techniques.

Tereasa combines leading edge individual and systems coaching skills with a business background in corporate communications, sales and marketing, and a creative resume in film, television & theatre. Her focus on experiential learning inspires her clients to build on existing strengths to achieve excellence in all areas of their personal and business life. She is a passionate entrepreneur, dynamic workshop leader, published writer, and proud parent of 2 amazing boys. She playfully approaches her life work from a deep desire to help others explore, remember and commit to living their full potential. Tereasa makes her home close to the water in beautiful White Rock, BC.

Debbie Riopel, B ED, CPCC, ACC

Debbie's success as a coach comes from a unique blend of life experiences and formal coaching education.

Debbie received her Certified Professional Co-Active Coach training from one of the leading worldwide training organizations - The Coaches Training Institute. She is also a member of the International Coaches Federation and is currently training in her new interest, team and systems coaching through ORSC.

As a master teacher, Debbie enjoyed a deeply rewarding 20 year career, teaching children and working with their families. Debbie has flexed her leadership muscles by offering a wide variety of workshops on kindness and peace building, as well as leading volunteer organizations locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. She is a founding member of the World Kindness Movement.

In 2002, Debbie took a drastic step to realize her dreams and embarked on a 9 month, 16 country ‘round the world trip’ to capture the Face of Kindness for a unique documentary that promotes the value of kindness on our planet.

In 2003, Debbie experienced the transformative power of what can happen when hiring a life coach. Through this life changing work, she decided to become a coach herself!

Debbie currently lives with her husband Mark in the lovely seaside city of White Rock, BC. Her passions include travel, volunteer work and filming personal life stories. Debbie and her husband are certified therapeutic Qigong instructors.

Debbie is a risk-taker who motivates and challenges her clients to dream big and to step into the life they yearn for! Debbie brings integrity, warmth, openness, commitment, humor and a love of people to her personal and systems coaching!

Debbie is thrilled to be part of Chameleon’s Team!!!