In addition to our core team of 30 professionals, Deetken has always maintained a deep bench of subject matter experts (SMEs) upon which we can draw to supplement our expertise and add value for our clients in key areas. Over the past year, Deetken has developed relationships with SMEs in Indigenous Issues & Engagement, Organisational Change Management, Public Health and more. Read on to learn more about some of our current SMEs.
Charlene Smoke is a Deetken SME in Indigenous / First Nations issues and engagement. She leverages her Indigenous education credentials and expertise to support organisations in their efforts to improve their understanding of Indigenous issues, history, culture, and traditions. Charlene is committed to advancing the truth and reconciliation process by facilitating learning opportunities and promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity. She has a proven track record of developing and delivering culturally responsive curricula and is skilled in designing and implementing programs that respect the traditions, languages, and cultural practices of Indigenous communities. Charlene is currently an elementary school teacher (Grade 5) at Meadowridge School in Maple Ridge, BC, where she develops and implements culturally responsive lessons and activities that integrate Indigenous perspectives and teachings into the curriculum. She also chairs the Indigenous Education Committee at Meadowridge School. Previously, she was an elementary teacher at Sts’ailes Community School in Agassiz, BC. Charlene has a Master of Educational Leadership from Trinity Western University (2020), a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University (2012), a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies from the University of British Columbia (2008) and an Associate of Arts, Indigenous Studies, from Langara College (2002). She has also completed the Indigenous
Perspectives Teacher Education Module, Professional Development Program, at Simon Fraser University (2012) and has a BC Teaching Certificate (in good standing) and a certification in Real Restitution in Schools, Level 1-2.
Cynthia Currie is a Deetken SME in Organisational Change Management. Cynthia has more than 20 years of experience in organisational change management, specialising in large scale transformation and outsourcing. Over the past two decades, Cynthia has led and supported change management projects for numerous organisations, including the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development, the BC Ministry of Citizens’ Services, the BC Ministry of Health, Provincial Health Services Authority, the Government of Saskatchewan, the Government of Yukon and the University of British Columbia, many of which were complex, large-scale projects involving multiple stakeholders. Cynthia is Prosci® Change Management certified. She is also a Certified Human Resources Professional Candidate (CCHRA 2008), a published author on human resources practices and is a graduate of the Vested® Executive Program, which covers the fundamentals of the Vested® methodology for creating highly collaborative business relationships.
Sara Sinclair is a Deetken SME in Nursing and Public Health. Sara is a registered nurse (RN) in Victoria, BC, and has nearly 20 years of experience in health care, including in leadership and advanced practice specialisations. In 2020, Sara helped launch the first nurse-led primary health care clinic in Victoria where she also serves as a Certified Practice RN. Previously, she spent 12 years as a critical care nurse at Island Health, including as a Clinical Nurse Leader in coronary care and in Cardiac Short Stay. Sara has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan / First Nations University of Canada. She has also received RN First Call certification from the University of Northern British Columbia and has experience working in a small town, rural community and with diverse populations, including volunteer, street outreach and needle exchange. Sara has experience nursing in cardiology, general medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology/palliative care, as well as Code team experience.
