Carolyn Wilby MBA

Principal Writer

With what seems like a lifetime of business writing experience with a clear language focus (over 20 years), Carolyn openly admits to being an incurable ‘decode-aholic’— unable to read without unconsciously streamlining the information—unable to walk down the street without ‘hearing voices’ as English advertising errors scream out at her—and overall, feeling possessed by one clear vision. She hopes to convert organizations everywhere to plain English principles. “Write in language familiar to your reader based on their literacy level, reading ability, and topic knowledge in a format that helps them easily find the information they need, understand it, and use it to meet their needs. If they can’t understand it, then what’s the point?”

As founder of Clear Language @ Work (CLW)…

Carolyn has helped organizations tackle complex topics across industry sectors—everything from educational newsletters and articles to reports and case studies to product materials, ‘how to’ information, and web writing. Since inception in 1998, CLW has also provided extensive original writing, adaptation, and general English support to clients focused on reaching the English-speaking Asian markets in Toronto and Hong Kong.

Before establishing CLW…

Carolyn held both supplier and client—side marketing management positions in the private and public sectors where it was plain English to the rescue: working on complex insurance/rehabilitation claim information and marketing communications (Aetna Health and Life Insurance Companies of Canada) and ‘decoding’ health information for professional and patient target groups, as well as the public (Scarborough Public Health Department).

Just how did she get this way?

Way too much reading and roaming around. After deadline: in addition to writing, Carolyn is into her family and friends, as well as (at least attempting) a range of outdoor sports while further feeding her insatiable investigative nature by exploring remote destinations throughout (so far) Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Galapagos Islands, Central and South America, Africa, and Iran. What next? Continue to keep antennae up for The Road Not Taken; perhaps giving this one a whirl from Cairo to Cape Town.

Rose Brillon BA (Hons.)

Associate Researcher, Writer, and Editor

With over ten years of experience, Rose is a highly versatile writer—a perfect fit for the range of Clear Language @ Work projects. She has the impressive talent of being able to identify and deliver the most effective writing style to achieve client objectives on everything from white papers to case studies to product data—all with a focus on providing information that is concise and understandable while still highly engaging. Whether helping with original writing or quality assurance, Rose provides a critical ‘fresh pair of clear eyes.’ Just how did she become so clear, yet so flexible?

Rose developed her researching and writing skills through working as a staff writer at human resource and IT companies—industry sectors with mysterious languages all of their own. As a result, whether a document is plagued by corporate speak or techno-babble, Rose speaks their language and is able to skillfully decipher the intended meaning. She further advanced her skills through diverse freelance writing projects, bringing the language of clarity to each assignment. Rose holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen’s University.

Naomi Shacter

Communication Design Consultant

“Words are meant to be read and understood, but this can only happen when they are engaging and legible”—principles like this, as well as the Arts and Crafts Movement’s emphasis on the importance of form in relation to function provided Naomi’s inspiration while studying at the Ontario College of Art and Design. Since graduating, Naomi has been practicing the art of design and communication for nearly 20 years, initially in the publishing industry with Wedding Bellls Magazine before launching Naomi Shacter Graphic Design (NSGD) in 1994.

NSGD helps clients receive all of the benefits that effective communication design has to offer that go beyond simply graphics by meshing form with function. Not easily caught up in trends, NSGD’s foundation is built on focusing on client issues to create visual solutions that speak to the needs of their audiences in ways they will clearly hear. The result? Not just engaging communications, but also understandable and useful communication design approaches for health, social, educational, and environmental initiatives for organizations like the City of Toronto and Infrastructure Ontario

For Clear Language @ Work, NSGD provides the other piece to the clear language puzzle by ensuring that the positive benefits of clear writing are not taken away due to poor design: “Writing is just half the equation. How you present your information is just as important as what you have to say. In fact, no matter how clear your content, how it is designed is often the deal breaker in terms of whether it is read and understood… or not. When materials are visually confusing or intimidating, important information is often overlooked. Good content deserves to be noticed with well planned visual communications.”

Paul LaCroix CMA, MBA

Financial Technical Consultant

Paul has over 20 years experience as a senior financial executive responsible for overseeing operational finance and managing annual capital expenditure budgets in excess of $500 million. His areas of expertise include managing financial control, budgeting functions, quarterly forecasts and fiscal audits, as well as planning capital expenditures including product costing and pricing analysis.

Paul has held senior financial positions including Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance and Business Development (Canadian Hydrogen Energy Canada, Magna International). Significant achievements include the launch of eight new manufacturing operations and leading a business development strategy that resulted in the acquisition of three new top revenue-generating customers. Paul is a Certified Management Accountant who holds a Bachelor of Arts (Finance) from Wilfred Laurier University and Master of Business Administration (Finance) from Queen’s University.

Katharine Slater BA, PHEd, MHSc, RD

Health Education Technical Consultant

As a Registered Dietician, Katharine has over 20 years experience in nutrition and community health. She has held a variety of senior management positions in both the public and private sectors including Director of Nutrition and Health Promotion (North York Public Health Department), Director of Policy, Planning and Communications (Scarborough Health Department) and Manager of Government Affairs (Kraft Foods).

Significant achievements include being selected for the first North American Public Health Delegation to visit the Republic of China and receiving the Association of Local Official Health Agencies’ ‘Distinguished Service Award’ in recognition of outstanding contributions to public health in Ontario. Katharine has also applied her nutrition and health promotion expertise to the classroom, teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels (Master of Health Science program) at the Universities of Toronto and Guelph. Katharine holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Birmingham, Bachelor of Applied Arts (Food Science and Nutrition) from Ryerson Polytechnical University and Master of Health Science from the University of Toronto.

Susan Rosenstein MA

Literacy Technical Consultant

Susan has over 15 years experience working in the areas of literacy and knowledge transfer for diverse population groups. As an expert in literacy levels, readability, cultural sensitivity and qualitative analysis, Susan has developed a wide range of publications for adults and families on complex issues. She has applied this expertise to positions in health promotion, social marketing and product development (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Scarborough Public Health Department, York Region Heart Health, East York Health Unit).

Key achievements include the development of a series of successful children’s books tackling difficult subjects: Can I Catch It Like a Cold? (depression) and Wishes and Worries (alcoholism). Receiving national media attention, Curriculum Services Canada recommends these publications as supplemental resources. Other information series such as: What Kids Want to Know, Is it Safe for Your Baby? and About (tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine) have received similar extensive kudos. Susan holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Master of Arts (Applied Social Psychology) from the University of Guelph. Her undergraduate thesis: Parental Predictions of their Children’s Knowledge about Dangerous Situations was published in Child Abuse and Neglect, 1988; 12(3) 355-61.

Her expertise in the area of qualitative research was also recognized with the publication of her paper: The Usefulness of a Standardized Form for the Process Analysis Stage: A Case Study in the anadian Journal of Program Evaluation, vol 7, no 1, Spring 1992, pp 119 – 131.

Dr. David Esser MD

Medical Technical Consultant

As a General Practitioner with additional training in Orthopaedic Surgery and Emergency Medicine, David has over 20 years experience in both urban and rural hospital settings (Mt. Forest, Georgetown and Toronto). For the past 12 years David has primarily worked in the Operating Room as a Surgical Assistant on general surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopaedic and plastic surgery cases.

When not in the Operating Room, he can be found coordinating the Surgical Assistants for two sites of the Humber River Regional Hospital, as well as sitting on its Family Practice Executive Committee and Operating Room Operations Committee. David also established the Ontario Medical Association’s Section for Surgical Assistants and currently acts as the Section Chair. David holds a Doctor of Medicine from The University of Western Ontario.

Greg Michalski BSc. (Hons), BEd.

Science and Education Technical Consultant

Whether setting off rockets, exploding chemical volcanoes, or making circuits come to life, look out because Greg’s experiential approach to teaching is sure to be memorable. Greg has applied his passion for science to the classroom for over 15 years. Whether teaching Grades 7-12 Biology, Chemistry or Physics in a traditional classroom setting or Environmental Science as part of an outdoor expedition, Greg’s captivating hands-on approach has realized very positive results.

Greg has held positions in both the public and private sectors, including the Ontario Science Centre as part of the Education Department and Crescent School for boys as a Science Teacher and Head of Grade 11. Establishing Grade 11 and 12 biology courses in South America and a new science laboratory in South Africa are examples of international education accomplishments. When not concocting experiments in the lab, Greg can be found on the squash court or track as he coaches some of Canada’s finest athletes. Greg holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree (Biology) from The University of Western Ontario and earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto.