Vaden Earle - CEO / Co - Founder
Hometown - Griquet, NL
BIO - Vaden Earle is the Founder and CEO of Absolute Leadership Development Inc. Vaden is an author (One: a Face Behind the Numbers), a motivational speaker, and soon-to-be famous body builder. As our CEO, Vaden inspires us to continually push the vision of Absolute forward into new territory. Vaden believes in the potential of this generation and speaks throughout Canada and internationally on social justice and the power to change lives. Vaden was born and raised in the thriving metropolis of Griquet, Newfoundland, and now lives in Hamilton, Ontario with his wife, Christal. They are the proud parents of a rather disturbed cat named Licorice.Go to our keynote speakers page for more details on booking Vaden for your event.
Christal Earle - Chief Spokesperson / Co - Founder
Hometown - Prince Albert, SK
BIO - Christal Earle is the Co-founder of Absolute, as well as the Chief Spokesperson. Christal loves traveling to new places and meeting new people, loud parties, great accessories, and seeing lives changed! Christal travels across Canada and internationally speaking the message that each life is worth living to both corporate and youth audiences. She also facilitates the training of road teams, students, and works with Hero Holiday. Christal is married to Vaden, who thinks she is incredibly cute (mostly because she always laughs at his jokes). Go to our keynote speakers page for details on booking Christal for your event.
Charles Roberts - Director of Hero Holiday
Hometown - Gaspé, QC
BIO - Charles Roberts is the Hero Holiday Director. Charles has 9 years experience in youth leadership and international team development. Charles is married to Tricia, God’s grace on his life, and together they have 3 boys: Gabriel, Micah, and Isaac. The Roberts Clan currently lives in a fifth wheel trailer between Mexico and Canada, and we have heard of numerous reported Wal-mart parking lot sightings of their home. Charles is into dirt biking, starting fires with questionable items,and long walks on the beach/around the parking lot.
Ryan Wood - Chief Operating Officer
Hometown - Saskatoon, SK
BIO - Ryan Wood is our Chief Operating Officer– He is known as the brain of Absolute. Ryan has spoken to thousands of high school students across Canada, given leadership to our road teams since 2004 and along with his wife, Michelle, he is now based in Hamilton, Ontario. Ryan is known for 3 huge obsessions: his baby girl Amelia, his hang-gliding career (ask him how his last landing of 2007 went!), and raw fish with scandalous amounts of wasabi…
Diane Ciarallo - Administrative Assistant
Hometown - Toronto, ON
BIO - Diane Ciarallo is our administrative assistant, which means she is definitely in the know. Diane has been with Absolute since September 2003, and is still in love with us! Diane is a proud Italian and loves dancing, jewelery that Christal brings back to her from her trips, and most of all: high heels.
Ashley Smart - Media / Marketing Department
Hometown - Shelbrook, SK
BIO - Ashley Smart is Absolute’s Media/Marketing consultant. This is a fancy title that means he is really smart and reads all the fine print that no one else wants to. Ashley is one of the original members of the Absolute team, and has invested many years into this generation in Canada through countless road trips, high school assemblies, and bad cups of gas station coffee. Ashley is married to Erin, and they live in Kingston, the original capital of Canada (in case you were unaware).
Nettie Brown - Hero Holiday / SOL Administrator
Hometown: Cayuga, ON
BIO - Nettie Brown is our Hero Holiday Administrator. Nettie processes applications, works with our teams and students, as well as gives leadership during our Hero Holidays throughout the year. Nettie is known for her kindness, her charming personality, and great jeans. Nettie dreams of beaches and of riding their waves…that is why her and Cole have decided to be based in Hamilton, Ontario…because of our pristine beaches,our clean air, and our tropical winters…
Meagan Peters - Road Team Manager
Hometown: St Catharines, ON
BIO - Meagan Peters, along with her husband, JP, gives leadership to one of our road teams. Meagan speaks in high schools, works with our students, and makes sure that people are fed on the tour bus. Meagan is originally from St. Catharine’s, Ontario, where she was involved in the local basket weaving society. She loves her husband, her new apartment, and big, fluffy blankets! Recently, Meagan was part of a new trial sport for the Olympics: sleep talking. She is reportedly in the top 10 in Canada for speed, passion, and creativity. In her spare time, Meagan likes to listen to music, write, and, of course, weave more baskets.
Jonathan Peters - Road Team Manager
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
BIO - Jonathan Peters (aka JP),is originally from the mountainous prairie city, Winnipeg, MB. JP has many interests, including driving the bus, playing the drums, leading high school assembly teams, and family vacations in RV’s. JP is also the uncontested Scrabble Champion on the tour bus (the competition is really fierce).
Adam Churchman - Road Team Manager
Hometown: Hamilton, ON
BIO - Adam Churchman, along with his soon-to-be wife, Lindsay, is one of our road team managers. Adam is originally from Copetown, Ontario, where he was involved in a traffic study in his hometown, dealing with reported drive-by SHOUTINGS. Adam is in love with Lindsay (good thing as marriage is always better when you have that factor), his growing inventory of tattoos, and Nirvana music. Adam also believes in seeing lives changed through hope, truth and love…and old Nirvana tunes. Did we mention he liked Nirvana?
Lindsay Churchman - Road Team Manager
Hometown: Hamilton, ON
BIO: Lindsay Bishop is Adam’s newlywed wife, and is the co-manager of the road team with him. Lindsay is a law-abiding citizen, but has been known to accidentally get the recycling bins mixed up and had to deal with the consequences. She is all about the C-O-F-F-E-E, but has been known to listen to Adam as he sings her the classic song, “All We Are Saying is Give Tea a Chance”. Lindsay is a great leader, and loves working with teenagers. In her spare time, she knits…no, really, she honestly does.
Derek Boyce - Office Administrator
Hometown: Brandon, MB
BIO - Derek Boyce is Absolute’s Office Administrator. Derek is originally from Brandon, Manitoba, but has since moved his clan (his wife Becky and son Daxton) to the Hammer. Derek is a computer genius, a hockey fan, and a lawn bowler. In a former life, Derek was a UFC contender, but due to an unnamed injury, he has decided to pursue his fame and fortune with Absolute instead.
Mandy Rousseau - Booking Agent
Hometown: Simcoe, ON
BIO - Mandy Rousseau is our Booking Agent. Mandy is originally from Simcoe, Ontario. Simcoe is famous for….well…being Mandy’s hometown! Mandy loves working with Absolute for many reasons: the four flights of stairs up to our office that she needs to climb up and down countless times each day, the good-looking staff that she is surrounded by, and because she gets to chat with teachers all day on the phone. Mandy is passionate about the emerging generation and believes in the power of chocolate.
Andrew and Dawn Bernardi - Mexico Operation Managers
Hometown: Hope, B.C.
BIO - Andrew and Dawn Bernardi are our Mexico Operation Managers. Andrew and Dawn have recently come to Absolute from Hope, B.C. and we are excited to have them and their son, Anthonie with us in Mexico. Andrew and Dawn add years of experience hosting humanitarian groups in the Vicente Guerrero area. One of Andrews hobbies is racing child size motorbikes, he is always good for a laugh and is a genuine friend to all. (check out the motorbike pictures on his facebook) Dawn is an amazing woman, full of compassion and enthusiasm. We are thrilled to have this family as a part of our team!
Brett Dyrland - School of Leadership Co-Facilitator
Hometown: Brooks, Alberta
BIO - Brett Dyrland, along with his hot wife, Roxy, is the co-facilitator of our School of Leadership Mexico Program. Brett is originally from Brooks, Alberta, home to a huge meat-packing plant, tonnes of minor hockey, and tumbleweed. Brett is passionate about Absolute, and has been a longtime supporter. Until recently, Brett was living the dream: working shift work in the northern bushes of Alberta, doing endless renos on their house in Sylvan Lake, and cheering us on from the sidelines. Now, he and Roxy are relegated to living in Mexico, working with people they love, having daily adventures in the Mexican outback, and feeling like they are making a powerful difference. Hmmmm…I wonder why they came to Absolute?
Roxy Dyrland - School of Leadership Co-Facilitator
Hometown: Brooks, Alberta
BIO - Roxy Dyrland is also originally from Brooks, Alberta. Roxy has an amazing story of a life that has been changed by hope and restoration. She was recently nominated for an award of merit for being married to Brett for 6 years and not pulling out her hair. Roxy is extremely gifted with working with children and youth, and brings a great heart and passion to our School of Leadership Program. Roxy is excited to be living in Mexico, where the tacos flow like water and the roosters conveniently crow at an ungodly hour.
Support Staff
Bill Rawlins - Senior Consultant
Hometown - Parksville, BC
BIO - Bill Rawlins is our Senior Consultant. Bill is the former principal of Ballenas Secondary School in Parksville, British Columbia. After booking Absolute at his school and joining us on Hero Holiday, he became passionate about the vision of Absolute, and upon retirement, joined Absolute in September 2006 (and is still trying to recover)! Bill brings his skill to many areas of our organization, and helps to make us look good. We love his gray hair…and we think he is hot.
Erica Pequegnat - Student Relations Co-ordinator
Hometown: Newmarket, ON
BIO - Erica Pequegnat is our Chat Line Coordinator. Erica is from Newmarket, Ontario, and loves working with our volunteer staff who help to facilitate our student services on our website. Erica is into Facebook, shopping, traveling, and kick-boxing. She has recently released a published article, “How to survive a near-death experience on a tuk-tuk”, and it will be out in news stands very soon.
Cole Brown - Construction Manager
Hometown: York, ON
BIO - Cole Brown manages our construction work sites both in Canada and on our Hero Holiday projects in Dominican Republic and Mexico. Translation: he does twice as much physical labor as the rest of us, but he gets a really good tan, so we’ll consider it even. Cole and his wife Nettie live in Hamilton, Ontario, and they are the uncontested champions of the best-dressed award in our organization. Cole was in a bowling league when he was younger, and always tries to show off at staff parties.
Nicole Dufault - Hero Holiday Medical Co-ordinator
Hometown: Ignace, ON
BIO - Nicole Dufault is our official Hero Holiday Nurse and heads up our medical arm of all Hero Holiday opportunities. Nicole, aka, “Nurse Bootie” is into sunscreen, Latin dancing, giving anti-parasite treatments, and mouth to mouth resuscitation. She used to live in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, but has recently moved to Hamilton, Ontario for better air quality!
