The Team

Your Trusted Advisors

Catalysts for change


Our team offers a wealth of experience training and coaching leaders and teams in organizations of all sizes; across industries ranging from hotels and hospitality, to start-ups, sports teams, and financial institutions. In addition to our live workshops and skills development courses, we also offer business and executive coaching through our sister company, Success Biz Coach. Our ability to deliver training either in-person or remotely means we can serve companies both close to home here on Vancouver Island, and anywhere in the world.

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Kerry Brown
CEO & Founder

Founding member and current Board of Directors: Canadian Professional Business Coaches Association (PBCA)

I founded Leadership Development Academy 25 years ago with a mission to be an inspiration and a catalyst for change. Through both LDA and my sister coaching company, Success Biz Coach, I’m here to guide you through growth, change, planning and difficult decisions.

My father was a small business owner, so I grew up surrounded by the world of entrepreneurship. As my own career evolved, first in sales and marketing and later as the founder of LDA, I experienced the transformative power of working with a business coach at key pivotal moments. It was this experience that inspired me to devote my career to leadership development training, facilitation, strategic planning, and business coaching.

Over the years, I’ve worked with leaders from hundreds of organizations across three continents, bringing my skill in adult learning strategies to help companies thrive in any business environment. Our programs allow us to work with companies both close to home and anywhere in the world, training business leaders and their teams to learn the skills, competencies, behaviours and best practices that it takes to create healthy organizations. My approach is results-driven and practical, always with the goal to inspire and motivate.

Instructor Qualifications:

  • BA Honors UVIC
  • Certified MHS EQi 2.0 and EQi 360
  • Authorized Partner with Wiley in DiSC Workplace, Management, Sales, Work of Leaders and Agile EQ programs
  • Authorized Partner with Wiley for The Five Behaviors® programs, “Team Development” and “Personal Development”
  • Master Certified Professional Business Coach
  • Certified MasterMind Executive Coach
  • Certified Professional Leadership Developer
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Richard Larkin
Founder

Founding member: Canadian Professional Business Coaches Association (PBCA)

I’ve been a “serial” entrepreneur all my working life, and bring that vast experience and passion into LDA as a coach, mentor and facilitator. I grew up working in the family business, where I had a firsthand look at all aspects of running a successful company. It was in these early years I learned the value and importance of developing the proven systems and competencies needed for success.

I started my first business at the age of 21, and never looked back! From developing my first franchise concept in the early 80s, to being featured twice on Dragon’s Den, I continue to be active in the art and science of developing a business from the first spark of an idea, to a smoothly-running operation. My passion lies in the areas of customer service, sales, marketing, business systems, entrepreneurship, and franchise development—all key elements of the courses and workshops we use to help you energize your leadership and engage your team.

Instructor Qualifications:

  • Authorized Partner with Wiley in DiSC Workplace, Management, Sales, Work of Leaders and Agile EQ programs
  • Authorized Partner with Wiley for The Five Behaviors® programs, “Team Development” and “Personal Development”
  • Master Certified Professional Business Coach

Andrea Born
Associate

As a certified senior human resources professional with 18 years of experience working with leaders across industries, I bring my passion for helping organizations build high performing teams and coaching leaders to reach their full potential.

To me, self awareness is key to good leadership. My MBA research focused on emotional intelligence, emotional crossover (a leader’s mood), and the impact that a leader’s behaviour has on their team. Everything from conflict resolution and employee relations, to workplace culture and team dynamics revolve around a leader’s mastery of self-leadership.

As a trainer and coach with LDA, I can help you develop your talents and bring your team together. I have extensive experience with succession planning, risk and change management, employee and labour relations, and high performance coaching. Whether we work together one-on-one or through group training programs, I am on a mission to stretch and build the potential of you and each member of your organization.

Instructor Qualifications:

  • Masters in Business Administration (MBA), UNBC
  • Executive Coaching Graduate Certificate, Royal Roads University
  • Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation
  • Certified Human Resources Professional
  • World Business & Executive Coach Partner
  • Member of the International Coach Federation
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Spencer Larkin-Brown
Associate

As a fourth year student of the BBA Human Resource Leadership & Management program at Camosun College, I’m excited to join the LDA team as a trainer in HR management, as well as a facilitator to help leaders navigate through difficult conversations and strategic planning.

Servant leadership is key to my approach, both as a human resources professional focusing on people and culture development, and a coach and trainer who helps emerging leaders grow and thrive. From leading team building sessions to helping organizations recruit and retain talent, for me, it’s all about building community.

Instructor Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Human Resource Leadership & Management, 4th Year, Camosun College
  • Volunteer Senior Leader, Young Life of Canada

Client Testimonial:

“The LDA team has provided engaging and insightful leadership workshops for our team members over the years—they are absolutely experts at their craft! They have positively inspired our team members at all levels, and we are grateful for all that we have already learned and continue to learn from LDA.”

Tierra Madani
CPHR, HR Advisor, VANCOUVER ISLAND BREWING
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