The Bion Team
Depending on the project or expertise required, we draw from our network of North American and international experts to contribute unique skills or assist in delivery of large-scale projects. BION’s core team consists of the following professionals who are directly involved in the services provided within their area of specialty. Dr COLLEEN BRAUN
Clinician
Coach
Intercultural Consultant
 Colleen is a clinical psychologist, educator, and organizational consultant with "been there" credentials as an intercultural communications specialist. For more than 10 years, she averaged one trip around the world every three months carrying out organizational assessments and developing international business activities for a European based client. As a result of her international travel, she claims to have enough frequent flyer miles to orbit Jupiter and the world's largest collection of small soap.
As president of BION Consulting, Inc., Colleen moved to Calgary from the States, in 1994, to launch the Canadian branch of her intercultural consulting business. This was accomplished initially in a teaming agreement with Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
A registered psychologist and family therapist, she carries out psychological services in clinical practices in Calgary and Halifax, specializing in chronic pain rehabilitation and disability management. Colleen holds adjunct status on the graduate faculties of NOVA Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale, and Central Michigan University. She commutes to classes in south Florida, the Caribbean, or across Canada on weekends. In her "spare" time, she lectures throughout North America - and aboard cruise ships internationally – on wellness, human relations, personal-professional effectiveness, and lifestyle issues.
Credits include more than 60 publications and presentations in North American and international journals and symposia. An honorary Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, she is listed in Who's Who Worldwide, and Who's Who in Professional Speaking.
Among others, professional memberships include The Canadian Psychologists Association; American Psychological Association; American Counseling Association; Canadian Pain Society; Association for Multi-cultural Counseling and Development; and International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors.
Colleen holds an undergraduate degree in journalism from Bowling Green University, completed Master's and Doctoral programs in behavioural medicine at the University of Cincinnati, and is certified as a family therapist by the Department of Psychiatry at the University Cincinnati College of Medicine. She is holds status as a registered clinical psychologist in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories and is a Distance Certified Counselor (DCC).
 KIMBERLY is a licensed independent social worker (LISW-S) and Distance Certified Counselor (DCC) who holds graduate degrees in both Psychology and Social Work. She has lived and worked in Europe and the Middle East and has traveled extensively throughout Africa, Asia, and North America.
Kimberly applies lessons learned from these cultural experiences to her professional life. She understands the unique challenges of moving to a new culture or environment without the security of family, friends, or familiar landmarks. She has personal experience with strategies that were successful – as well as some that were not. These perspectives help her to see the world through the eyes of her clients – to truly understand their concerns, fears and excitement.
As the Executive Director for a community based youth organization and parent of two children, she is well aware of resources for kids and families and authors a Cincinnati-based column on practical parenting. In her counseling practice, Kimberly recognizes most of us strive to be great parents but sometimes - due to the demands of everyday living – we lose sight of realistic expectations and doubt our parenting skills.
Recognizing that every situation is unique, Kimberly helps families identify the most successful approach for a particular problem - and for that particular child. Kimberly draws from both sound theory and experience with a range of tools and techniques. She processes with families to find solutions that will work within available time and resource realities - without adding to their pressures. This partnership provides a confidential, supportive environment where parents build on their own best practices, discuss their fears and frustrations - and celebrate their successes!
JEFFRAY STEPANIUKArtist
Photographer
Environmental Educator
 Manitoba biologist Jeffray Stepaniuk developed an appreciation for wildlife and the environment in his childhood, discovering pockets of undisturbed ecosystems within an urban habitat and witnessing the destructive impact of unplanned land use. These early experiences have fueled Jeff’s drive to increase awareness and appreciation our environmental legacy – an ecologic intelligence – through educational products, photography, and art. As an outgrowth of his academic training as a scientist and educator, Jeff’s years of field experience across North America have provided him with unique perspectives on the potential to meet society’s needs for resource development while minimizing disruption to the habitation of birds, fish, and wildlife.
As a naturalist and biologist, Jeff creates watercolors demonstrating precise attention to physical characteristics; but beyond the taxonomically accurate representation, the art interjects subtle cues to the environmental context and message.
His winning entry in the 1996 Manitoba Natural Resources Fisheries Enhancement Initiative Fish Stamp competition, raised $350,000 for the province to improve fish populations and habitat.
Other works from Jeff’s extensive portfolio are included in the collections of Manitoba Conservation, The Pas Trappers Festival, The Northern Juried Art Contest, Northern Experience Outdoor Adventures in Northern Manitoba, Manitoba Association of Community Arts Council, University College of the North, Opasquia Cree Nation, Baker’s Narrows Lodge, Sam Waller Museum, The Northern Lights MTS Phonebook Listings, Fish Futures, The Outdoor Edge, Townsend Advertising, Fur-Fish-Game Magazines, American Fisheries Society Office (Montana), and private collections in Canada, The US, and The Netherlands.
Jeff is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg (B.Sc. Honors, Biology-Environmental Studies), University of Manitoba (M.S., Eco-physiology), Red River College (Certificate of Adult Education), The Banff Centre for Management Excellence, and Central Michigan University (M.Ed., Curriculum Development and Educational Administration). He is conducting doctoral research through the Ph.D. program at the Natural Resources Institute (University of Manitoba).
In addition to his responsibilities as Senior Program Instructor in the University of the North Natural Resource Management Technology Program, Jeff has served as President and Accrediting Chairman of the North American Wildlife Technology Association.
With respect to his commitment to communities of the North, Jeff is a past General Manager of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation Habitat Foundation; and Facilitator for the Opasquia Swampy Cree Treaty Lands and Trust Program. He has held memberships on the Churchill Northern Studies Committee, Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies in areas of Permafrost, and Institute of Arctic Eco-physiology.
|