MANAGEMENT TEAM
Lesley de Repentigny
President & CEO
Lesley is the president and CEO of DriveWise, and one half of the vision behind the DriveWise enterprise. With her husband and business partner, Martin, they have successfully deployed over 80 simulation based driver improvement programs. With their business partners, they effectively train 20,000 Canadians annually on DriveWise education programs.
Lesley graduated from Brock University where she attained an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History.
Lesley held senior management positions for over 15 years before laying the foundation of DriveWise. Her previous position was Vice President of Strategy and Services for Adacel Inc., the world leader in airport training, which included the NASA Future Flight Central Program.
During her career, Lesley has been accredited as a Registered Professional Trainer (RPT), a Certified Management Professional (CMP), and also the Kirkpatrick 4 Levels Evaluation Certification Program. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Safety League, and is a Member of the Society for Applied Learning Technology, Innovators Alliance, and the National Training & Simulation Association. She also continues to accumulate a large variety of distinguished awards that include, Brock University Alumni of Distinction, Profit w100 Canada's Top Female CEOs(2011 & 2012), Arch Brown Entrepreneurial Excellence, Scotiabank Service Business Excellence, and Mayor’s Employer of the Year. She has also been a finalist for Businesswoman of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011), finalist Barrie Green Community Award, Frost & Sullivan Customer Value Enhancement Award (Adacel), and 2002 ADRIQ Product Innovation Award (Adacel simulation).
As the owner and co-founder of DriveWise, Lesley has learned the importance of providing consistent leadership and vision. She takes responsibility in overseeing our Standards of Service & Products, Product & Service Management, and Financial Management. Lesley also maintains Quality Assurance, Senior Leadership, Senior Management, and Strategic Planning.
On building the company from the ground up with her husband and business partner Martin, Lesley remarked that, “nothing comes easily,” and as a result, has learned the value of patience and perseverance in the entrepreneurial sphere.
Martin de Repentigny FMA, P.Eng. CD, M.Eng.
Chief Operating Officer
Martin is the COO of DriveWise and the other half of the vision behind the DriveWise enterprise. He maintains the internal operations of the company and his responsibilities include, but are not limited to, ensuring that high standards are maintained throughout the delivery of our programs, researching and keeping up to date with training trends, all while striving to improve our DriveWise training programs.
Martin is a Professional Engineer and has achieved a degree in Engineering Physics at the Royal Military College (RMC), a master's in Environmental Engineering attained at the University of Montreal École Polytechnique et Faculté des Etudes Supérieures, and also holds a degree in Facilities Management Administration from the Building Owners and Managers Institute International.
During his career, and before helping to found DriveWise, Martin was a professor at the RMC in St. Jean where he taught Computerized Design. While Martin was in the military, he was the director of facilities and operations. He worked as the Director of Professional Services at ADACEL prior to the development and beginning of DriveWise.
As the COO of DriveWise, Martin has learned, “if you have a viable, unique, and a best-in-market product, with enough perseverance and hard work, it will eventually prosper.”
Katherine de Repentigny
Operations Manager, PMV
Katherine coordinates the finances, and manages operations for the Private Motor Vehicle Department (PMV) at DriveWise.
Katherine is currently completing an Honours Bachelor of Business Degree at Lakehead University and has an opportunity to apply the theory she learns there nearly every day at the DriveWise head office. She is also a dedicated member of the Rotaract Club of Barrie and strives to increase community involvement and give back to Barrie.
Katherine is enthusiastic about road safety and committed to customer satisfaction. She works diligently to provide exceptional programs to both novice and professional drivers each and every day.
Steve Overend
Senior Instructor
Steve Overend is the Senior Instructor at DriveWise and is passionate about driver training and road safety. His credentials are extensive, and include certification to teach Professional Driver Improvement Courses and Defensive Driving Courses, both awarded by the Canada Safety Council.
Steve is well educated in safety and defensive driving, and has received training through the Ontario Safety League as a Supervisor Instructor, including being certified to teach in-vehicle and in-class sessions. He is also responsible for the training and certifying of both new and existing DriveWise instructors.
Steve holds over 15 years of experience in the industry, ranging from Bluewater Driving Academy as a Driving Instructor, Senior Driving Instructor at Young Drivers, and has also taken experience from the Canadian Trucking Human Resource Council’s Coaching Mentor and Assessor Program, and the Canada Safety Council Instructor Program.
Steve trains, evaluates, and educates students that range from teenagers to seniors, firefighters, couriers, and paramedics, with enthusiasm and compassion. He is committed to their success, but more importantly, he is dedicated to their safety and the safety of all road users. His dedication begins in the classroom and extends to our roads, where Steve reinforces theory and the DriveWise passion for co-operative driving. Steve’s approach to instruction truly inspires DriveWise students to be safer and more proactive drivers.
Matt Davis
Director of Product and Services
Matt Davis is the Director of Products and Services at DriveWise and has been with the company for four years. He comes from a computer programming background and holds a diploma from Georgian College in his field. At DriveWise he is responsible for instructor training, product support, repairs & demonstrations, and project management, along with providing excellent customer service and 24/7 technical support to our clients.
Matt has held both Computer Service Technician and Co-ordinator positions, and was presented with the DriveWise President’s award of Excellence for 2009 and 2011. Matt is also a registered Professional Trainer, PDIC Instructor, and was certified by the Ontario Fire College at an Awareness Level to handle Hazardous Materials and Terrorism.
Matt's client care skills are outstanding and his dedication to providing exceptional service is evident as he supports and trains DriveWise clients from the moment a simulator is purchased, all the way through to its delivery, installation, and use.
DriveWise TEAM
Natalie De Bernardi
Project Management & Instructional Material Design
Natalie is the Training Developer and Program Coordinator at DriveWise. Her extensive marketing and design experience make her an invaluable asset to the DriveWise team and its clients.
Natalie holds an Advertising Diploma with Honours and a 3 year Graphic Design Diploma, both from Georgian College. She has held administrative, sales management, junior publicist, and graphic design positions with previous employers.
Natalie is committed to customer satisfaction, has completed the Kirkpatrick Four Levels Evaluation Certificate Program, and is dedicated to creating visually appealing, innovative, and effective programs for all DriveWise customers.
Chantal Poirier-Saykaly
Training Developer
Chantal is the Training Developer at DriveWise. She is the woman behind the development of courseware for both novice and professional programs, which include simulator lesson plans and the development of question databases. She also takes part in the creation of storyboards for online training modules, along with editing and reviewing the material. Chantal also writes monthly newspaper articles on safe driving techniques and tips.
Chantal holds an Honours Bachelor’s Degree from York University in Professional Writing. She is a Canadian Professional Trainers Association registered trainer, and has completed the Kirkpatrick Four Levels Evaluation Certificate Program in house at DriveWise.
Chantal has been with DriveWise since 2009 and in 2010 she was granted the President's Award of Excellence. Her creativity, skill, and attention to detail have aided the development of numerous training programs, each modified to meet our client’s specific needs.
Sarah Wahab
Administrative Assistant
Sarah can be described as the voice and face of the DriveWise office in Barrie; as she is most usually the first person you will hear on the phone and the first when you walk through our door. Sarah registers anyone from novice to professional students in DriveWise programs, and maintains constant relations with parents and clients alike.
Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (English with Honours, Dean’s list) from Laurentian; during which she was an active columnist for the Laurentian Voice Student Newsletter, received a Gordon Prize in Poetry and a Dennie Prize for Prose Fiction. Sarah is able to bring her exceptional editing & writing skills to benefit DriveWise during the creation of material such as: press releases, brochures, newsletters and much more.
Matthew James Earle
Marketing Coordinator
As the Marketing Coordinator, Matthew assists with the marketing development at DriveWise. Some of his responsibilities include the creation or updating of print and digital promotional and marketing material, content management of the DriveWise website, and assisting in the execution of the brand image in how DriveWise is to be perceived. Matthew regularly helps out in the community and help to coordinate trade shows in which to be a part of.
Matthew attained an Advertising Diploma from his time at Sheridan Institute of Advanced Learning & Technology; and from this has become well versed in advertising and marketing tactics and implementation. He is an exceptional individual when it comes to creative and critical thinking and a welcomed addition to the team.
Erinn Bourassa
Business Development Coordinator
Erinn Bourassa, our enthusiastic Business Development Coordinator, is an Alumni of Wilfrid Laurier University where she earned a Combined Honours BA in Communication Studies and English, participated in the prestigious Laurier Co-op program, held a position on the Dean’s List, and received the Barbara Parker Memorial Scholarship of Excellence. Erinn previously held a position in Public Relations, and carried out her first Co-op term here at DriveWise. She is very excited to be joining a team that has a 99% client recommendation rating. Erinn has a passion for networking, business growth, and client relations.
The DriveWise team at the Barrie Chamber of Commerce Awards 2012
