Valerie Howe is our Director and an experienced leader skilled in strategic planning, business development, strategic marketing, team building.  She is committed to excellence in professional development teaching and learning and focused on meeting the needs of employees and employers across throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Prior to joining Gardiner Centre, Valerie worked in business development and account management for an IT company and as an industrial benefits specialist and economic policy advisor with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Valerie is a Memorial University alumna and started her career at the university’s P.J. Gardiner Institute.  She returned to Team Memorial after 24 years in the public and private sector. She is an avid community volunteer and a current and past board member of a number of not for profit organizations.

Susan Arscott is our Custom Training Partnerships Lead and an experienced advisor on professional development, upskilling, and management and leadership development. She manages our relationships with employers and partners and is committed to supporting growth and excellence within these organizations.

Susan works with employers and associations from all industries to develop training programs and courses for groups who have similar training needs. Susan is skilled at working with employers to identify training needs and propose solutions to advance the skill set of the group.

Prior to joining Gardiner Centre, she worked as an Investment Advisor for 5 years.  Susan enjoys exploring Newfoundland and Labrador in the company of family and friends.

Pearce Burton is our Professional Development Advisor and a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Business Administration program at Memorial University. He is committed to providing excellent service to our new and existing clients by striving to find the best possible strategy to support growth and excellence within their organizations.

Pearce has a background in customer service, having previously worked at RSA Canada, Johnson Insurance and NL Classifieds. Pearce is a former MUCEP student with Gardiner Centre and spent time on Memorial University’s Conference & Events Services team where he had the opportunity to hone his marketing, research and tech skills.

Pearce grew up in Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador, and enjoys playing video games, and spending time outdoors doing various activities like soccer, golf, and snowboarding! 

Wei Xin Chin is our Training Coordinator and a graduate of the Bachelor of Business Administration program at Memorial University. She is diligently committed to excellence for our client’s Gardiner Centre experience for everything from course materials to catering preferences. Prior to this role, Wei Xin served as Gardiner Centre's Training Assistant for 2 years.

Wei Xin is from Malaysia and speaks three different languages and 2 dialects - Mandarin, English, Malay, Hakka and Cantonese. She is a certified Taekwondo 1st Dan Black Belt holder. In fact, her whole family is black belt holders as well. She loves the outdoors, especially exploring the East Coast Trails, and thoroughly enjoys discovering the beauty of Newfoundland.

Melissa Kelly is our Open Enrollment Partnerships Lead bringing many years of experience in project management, operations, business development, sales, and marketing to the team. She is committed to building and maintaining partnerships with new and existing open enrollment clients, organizations, and industry associations by providing expert advice to support both strategic organizational growth and individual career advancement.

Melissa began her career at Gardiner Centre and has significant experience in all areas of the centre’s business.

Melissa is a Memorial University alumna and enjoys travelling, hiking on the East Coast Trail, and spending time with her two dachshunds.

Robert McNeily is our Accounting Clerk bringing decades of experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial reporting. He is committed to excellence in customer service and ensuring timely and accurate transactions.

Prior to joining Gardiner Centre, Robert provided accounting services in the private sector and is a dedicated community volunteer.

Robert is a Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic alumna. He resides in the downtown area near Signal Hill Campus and his great grandfather was a tower keeper at Cabot Tower before Newfoundland joined Canada. He enjoys woodworking and repairing and replicating antiques. 

Sheila Nash is our Manager, Finance and Administration, bringing decades of experience in planning and administration. She leads the centre's financial, operational, and human resource management.

Prior to joining Gardiner Centre, Sheila worked in finance and administration with Memorial’s Faculty of Nursing. Previously, Sheila spent 6 years as Assistant Comptroller with an engineering company in Virginia, USA.

Sheila is a Memorial University alumna and enjoys spending with her family. She particularly appreciates time to take in the salt air at the landwash in Branch, Newfoundland.

Caroline Ngarachu is our Training Assistant who boasts rich experience in client relations and operations. Her exceptional communication and customer service skills are reflected in her dedication to the needs of Gardiner Centre clients.

She held administrative leadership roles in Canada and Kenya and recently sharpened her expertise of the Emera Innovation Exchange as an Event Supervisor with Conference & Event Services at Memorial University.

Caroline holds a Bachelor in International Relations with a minor in Marketing (United States International University – Africa in Nairobi, Kenya), a Master in Tourism Studies (Mid-Sweden University in Östersund, Sweden) and is a Strategic Leadership Development Program graduate of the Kenya School of Government.

Caroline enjoys spending time with her husband and son, discovering NL and video calls with her family in Kenya. She has also played for the Kenya National Field Hockey Team as the goal keeper!

Ashley Wright is our Marketing Advisor bringing years of experience in branding, social media and website management, content development, and marketing planning. Ashley is dedicated in presenting Gardiner Centre offerings to our market in a clear and meaningful way. She skilfully presents information on courses, programs, and events to assist learners in matching training to their professional development needs.

Prior to joining Gardiner Centre, Ashley worked as Marketing Advisor for Memorial University’s Botanical Garden and Johnson Geo Centre. She also taught at an elementary school level for 2yrs.

Ashley has been involved in Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) for 3 decades. Currently the PR Comms Adviser with GGC-NL, she recently finished a 4-yr term as Deputy Provincial Commissioner. She’s a Director on the Board of Newfoundland and Labrador Cheerleading Athletics. Ashley is a trained ballroom/Latin dancer, a Disney enthusiast and mom to 4 cats.