About Us
Experienced HR Partners Who Will Protect Your Organization, Improve the Employee Experience, and Deliver Results
With iHR Advisory Services®, you gain access to an entire team of experienced, senior-level HR professionals who get to know your business and become true strategic partners. We have a solid track record of delivering impact for our clients, many of whom have come to rely on us as a critical resource for their business.
We can work together to optimize your team’s performance, protect against risks, and lay the foundation for growth.
What to Expect When You Work With Us
We have worked with organizations at every lifecycle stage, providing customized solutions that cater specifically to their unique challenges. With our support you can modernize your organization, attract and retain talented staff, and deliver more impact for your customers.
When you partner with us, you can expect the following:
- Focus, Patience, and Resilience: Our team has your back no matter your needs. Whether you use us for basic HR needs or strategic engagements, you will have a partner who listens and looks out for your interests.
- Integrity And Professionalism: Our team prioritizes integrity and professionalism, approaching every engagement with the goal of delivering a positive experience and business impact.
- A Partner Who Has Your Back: We are constantly updating our knowledge and staying on top of relevant regulatory and legislative changes, emerging HR themes, and common trends. This ensures that you will remain protected and up-to-date at all times, and allows you to focus on other areas of your business.
- An Accessible HR Ally: HR issues aren’t always predictable. That’s why we’re available for phone calls and check-ins whenever you need support. Get the advice you need quickly, giving you peace of mind and reducing your stress as a business owner.
- Fun And Engaging: We’re good at what we do, and we have fun while we do it! We don’t present information in a dull or mind-numbing manner. Instead, we encourage you to participate and engage in the process as we partner together to drive positive outcomes.
Our Team
With iHR Advisory Services®, you gain access to an entire team of experienced, senior-level HR professionals at a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time staff. By working with us, you can save money and get best-in-class HR support.
Karen Brownrigg, CHRL, CEC
Founder & CEO
Karen Brownrigg is a bilingual HR executive and certified executive coach with over three decades of experience who knows what it means to have her clients’ backs. Her experience spans a range of industries, including time spent with Rogers Communications, the Bank of Canada, and the Ottawa Police Service.
Karen Brownrigg is a bilingual HR executive and certified executive coach with over three decades of experience who knows what it means to have her clients’ backs. Her experience spans a range of industries, including time spent with Rogers Communications, the Bank of Canada, and the Ottawa Police Service.
Karen founded iHR Advisory Services™ in 2016 with a mission to become a trusted partner and ally that her clients could call anytime they needed HR support. Nearly 10 years later, she’s still the “phone a friend” senior executives use whenever they have an HR question or challenge.
During her time spent as an emergency services phone operator, Karen was told that her calming voice and demeanour were critical during times of chaos. Business Executives still tell Karen today that while her credentials and the quality of her work are outstanding, what sets her apart is the sense of calm and steadiness she brings amid complexity.
Karen is widely considered one of the top HR practitioners in Ottawa, thanks to her deep expertise in executive coaching and helping executives navigate complex people dynamics that can escalate if handled improperly. She is regularly featured in the Ottawa Business Journal, where she shares her deep expertise in change management, medical accommodations, employee and labour relations, conflict resolution, talent management, and more.
In her personal life, Karen’s passions include running and paddleboarding. Her greatest joys include travelling with her fiancé, Scott, and enjoying quality time with her dog, Arthur. She remains optimistic that Arthur will one day learn to sit still on the paddleboard.
Professional Affiliations and Designations
- Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i 2.0) Certified Practitioner
- Certified Human Resources Leader and member of the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario
- Certified FourSight Facilitator – Creative Problem-Solving Mindset/Toolset for individuals and teams, Buffalo State University Centre for Creative Studies
- Certified Change Management Professional, Prosci Change Management Program
- Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching, Royal Roads University
- Professional Certificate in Human Resources Management, University of Toronto
- Certificate in Human Resources Management, Algonquin College
Chantal Williamson
Senior Vice President, Human Resources (GTA)
Chantal Williamson is an HR consultant who partners with business owners and leaders to protect their organization and improve the employee experience. She previously worked as in-house human resources, and led teams with premium brands and top employers, such as BMW Group Canada and Starbucks Coffee Canada. Prior to joining iHR, Chantal led the Human Resources department in a high-growth electric vehicle start-up organization where she oversaw an increase of more than 165 employees as part of opening 10 retail locations and 3 corporate offices.
Chantal Williamson is an HR consultant who partners with business owners and leaders to protect their organization and improve the employee experience. She has experience working with diverse business sizes and industries across Canada.
Chantal previously worked as in-house human resources, and led teams with premium brands and top employers, such as BMW Group Canada and Starbucks Coffee Canada. Prior to joining iHR, Chantal led the Human Resources department in a high-growth electric vehicle start-up organization where she oversaw an increase of more than 165 employees as part of opening 10 retail locations and 3 corporate offices.
With her past experience, Chantal has become an expert at implementing people-focused programs and strategies that drive business success and employee satisfaction. She has had the opportunity to create new programs and establish culture from scratch, as well as enhance existing people strategies in areas such as total compensation, performance management, and talent management to maximize effectiveness.
Whether she’s spending time with colleagues, clients, friends, or family, Chantal is passionate about investing deeply in important relationships through quality time, active listening, and building shared experiences together.
Chantal lives with her husband Ryan and their two children in Whitby, Ontario. When she’s away from the office, her free time is often spent balancing healthy habits with a busy schedule while pursuing adventures with her family. Her greatest joys include travelling near and far, being fully present with her children, and spending time with her family and friends.
Professional Affiliations and Designations:
• Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i 2.0) Certified Practitioner
• Certified Talent Management Practitioner
• Business Administration Diploma, majoring in Human Resources at Algonquin College
Sheryl Ferguson, CHRP
Vice-President, Human Resources
Sheryl is an accomplished certified human resources leader with more than a decade of experience providing forward-thinking solutions and advice to all organizational levels ranging from C-suite executives to operational managers in a wide range of industries including pharmaceutical, financial, hospitality, energy, mining, forestry, governmental agencies, retail, animation production, and staffing/recruitment agencies.
Sheryl has extensive hands-on experience in leading Human Resources initiatives such as policy development and implementation, performance management, conflict resolution, employee development, and engagement.
Throughout her career, she has gained a deep understanding and experience with provincial and federal employment standards, human rights, diversity and inclusion, privacy legislation, contract law, and accepted Human Resources practices.
Developing strong relationships is the foundation of her professional and personal practice.
Sheryl is a true life learner and is constantly looking to develop her skills in the following fields: Executive Coaching, Agile Methodology for Human Resources, and Design Thinking.
Professional Affiliations and Designations:
- Certified Human Resources Professional
- Member of the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario
- Professional Certificate in Human Resources Management, University of Toronto
Stephanie Lemire
Human Resources Director
Stéphanie is a detail-oriented bilingual HR executive with 10 years of experience across all areas of HR. Prior to joining iHR Advisory Services® in 2021, she served as the Lead Human Resources manager for a medium-sized company in the healthcare industry. In her current role as Human Resouces Director at iHR, she works across all areas of HR while specializing in total compensation, pay equity, and workplace investigations.
Stéphanie is a detail-oriented bilingual HR executive with 10 years of experience across all areas of HR. Prior to joining iHR Advisory Services® in 2021, she served as the Lead Human Resources manager for a medium-sized company in the healthcare industry. In her current role as Human Resouces Director at iHR, she works across all areas of HR while specializing in total compensation, pay equity, and workplace investigations.
Stéphanie’s clients often remark that her calm and collected demeanour is extremely helpful during the tense or complex moments that sometimes accompany working in HR. She takes pride in being a straight shooter who can rapidly build trust while bringing honesty, empathy, and humour to her work each day.
Stéphanie has always had a passion for coaching, something she has pursued through coaching competitive ice hockey for several seasons, where she achieved the honour of becoming the first female head coach in the history of the NCJHL to record a win. Now, she gets to apply that same passion to her career as she coaches her clients to become stronger leaders and professionals.
Stéphanie lives in the outskirts of Ottawa with her husband Andrew, their two young daughters, and their two goofy golden retrievers. Her greatest joys include exploring her local community with her family, spending time outdoors in nature, and hearing her daughters laugh at the end of a long day.
Renée Fullerton
INVESTIGATIONS AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Renée is an experienced, bilingual, and solution-focused HR executive who specializes in workplace investigations and leadership development. She joined iHR Advisory Services® in 2022, after decades of extensive experience working in both strategic HR and people leadership roles in unionized and non-unionized environments.
Renée Fullerton is an experienced, bilingual, and solution-focused HR executive who specializes in workplace investigations and leadership development. She joined iHR Advisory Services® in 2022, after decades of extensive experience working in both strategic HR and people leadership roles in unionized and non-unionized environments.
Prior to joining iHR, Renée led the HR function for two provincial gaming sites, as well as a not-for-profit organization. She was also a critical HR leader within a Federal Crown Corporation within the financial services industry. Renée’s extensive experience in employee and labour relations has seen her appear before key regulatory bodies and arbitration hearings in both provincial and federal contexts.
She has been a member of the Human Resource Professional Association for over 20 years, and has led workplace investigations in areas such as harassment and/or violence in the workplace, information security breaches, human rights complaints, policy breaches, and more. As a skilled leadership development coach, she guides leaders at all levels through topics like employee accommodations, performance management, leader onboarding, and more.
Renée lives in Ottawa with her husband Richard, with whom she has two adult children who are out making their own marks on the world. When she’s not at the office, you’re likely to find Renée reading a good suspense novel, playing the piano, or exploring the countryside with Richard on his Harley.
Arthur
Reception and Security
We believe that every dog will have his day and at iHR Advisory Services®, Arthur is living his best life every day.
Arthur enjoys welcoming both human and canine guests, although he does screen newcomers who arrive unexpectedly. He has been known to work like a dog but balances that lifestyle with daily runs, swimming, healthy meals, and social activities in nature.
Lounging in his favourite chair, Arthur is a great listener and can be trusted not to disclose what was discussed during video conference calls and meetings. He is a faithful companion and advisor to our CEO, with a sense of loyalty that extends to the entire team at iHR Advisory Services™.
The iHR Difference
Our motto is “Steady is our pace! Ready wins the race!” Both our motto and our logo represent that our team leverages its collective focus, patience, and resilience to support our client partners. They capture the essence of who we are and are woven into the fabric of everything we do as a business.
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Our Testimonials
Arguably THE most valuable professional colleague that I have for my dental practice, Karen Brownrigg and her team at iHR Advisory Services® have done the following for me: drafted employment agreements for my team, helped me to deal with difficult HR-related issues (e.g. reprimands, terminations, resginations), and provided valuable and practical team leadership support. Recently I enrolled in iHR's ProgressiveHR program and Karen connected me with her Dental HR expert Sheryl Ferguson. In the first few months of my team working with Sheryl I have witnessed an immediate change in my team and in how my dental practice functions: we have become much more collaborative, my dental team is starting to work together to achieve the practice goals linked to our clinic vision, and the workplace has become a much more positive vibe because of Sheryl's coaching work with my team. For dental clinics in the Ottawa and Gatineau areas that are currently suffering from HR problems and internal strife, I HIGHLY recommend working with Sheryl and Karen and the entire team at iHR - it will TRANSFORM your dental practice team!
Meeting and working with Karen from iHR was, truly, a most pleasant experience. Karen helped me to develop a workplace assessment program for my department and then provided some coaching and development opportunities for members of my leadership team. I am proud to say that following all of this great work, we have a more collaborative, committed, and engaged workforce and a new workplace culture in our department. Ask Karen about FourSight - it has been a game-changer for me!
We are a small boutique firm and Karen has provided us with excellent guidance and support when it comes to dealing with HR issues. She is very professional and we are very fortunate to have been referred to her and her team. Sometimes HR issues arise unexpected and a quick response is needed, which Karen has readily provided to us. We highly recommend iHR Advisory Services®.
Karen and the team completed a Human Resources project for our organization from the beginning helping us to scope out the work, helping us with communications to our staff team, continuously updating on their progress and presenting the results to our board and staff. The work that was done was professional and a result of their impressive knowledge in the area of Human Resources. Our organization will definitely use iHR for future Human Resources projects.