Making AI practical, responsible and useful for the people doing the work.

I help organizations and professionals move beyond AI awareness and begin applying it confidently to their real work.

Through customized webinars, workshops, training programs and strategic reviews, I help teams understand how AI can improve productivity, strengthen communication, support better decisions and reduce repetitive work—while respecting privacy, governance and human accountability.

My approach is practical, approachable and hands-on.

You do not need ten more AI tools or another presentation filled with technical language. You need to understand what AI can do within the tools you already use, where it can provide genuine value and how to use it responsibly.

Connect with me.

From Technology Confusion to Practical Application

AI is moving quickly, and many organizations are asking the same questions:

• Where should we begin?

• Which AI tools are appropriate for our organization?

• What information can employees use safely?

• How can AI support the work our teams already do?

• Where could automation reduce workflow friction?

• How do we move from individual experimentation to responsible organizational adoption?

I help organizations answer those questions in clear, practical terms.

Training is customized around the participants—their responsibilities, technology, workplace challenges, industry and governance requirements.

Depending on the organization, sessions may focus on:

• Practical AI productivity

• Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365

• ChatGPT, Gemini and other approved AI environments

• Responsible AI, privacy and governance

• Prompting, verification and human oversight

• Communications, reports and document development

• Research, analysis and decision support

• Workflow improvement and automation

• Internal knowledge systems and AI assistants

• AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization

• Role- and industry-specific applications

No technical background is required.

Who I Work With

I deliver AI training and strategic guidance for:

• Municipalities and public-sector teams

• Economic development organizations

• Community Futures organizations

• Chambers of Commerce

• Professional associations

• Colleges and continuing education programs

• Tourism organizations and operators

• Nonprofits and community organizations

• Small and mid-sized businesses

• Business owners, managers and professional teams

Programs can be delivered virtually or in person and may range from one-hour webinars to half-day and full-day workshops, multi-session training series and strategic organizational reviews.

My Approach

Begin with the work—not the technology

The best AI solution is not necessarily the newest tool. It is the one that removes friction from a real responsibility.

I begin by understanding what participants do, what takes too long, what gets repeated, what information is difficult to find and where employees become frustrated.

Use familiar tools

Many organizations do not need to purchase numerous new platforms. They need help understanding the AI capabilities already appearing inside Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and other everyday systems.

Make governance practical

Responsible AI requires more than telling employees to “be careful.”

People need understandable guidance about approved tools, information classifications, confidentiality, verification, human review and accountability.

Customize the learning

A municipal employee, dental professional, tourism operator, business advisor and nonprofit leader may use the same underlying AI capability very differently.

Examples and activities should reflect the participants’ actual roles.

Create something useful

Participants should leave with more than inspiration. They should gain practical prompts, checklists, templates, resources and at least one idea they can begin applying immediately.

Experience & Credentials

For more than 30 years, I have helped entrepreneurs, professionals and organizational teams understand and apply changing technology.

My career began in the technology sector, including roles with Bell, Ericsson and a growing technology company that later went public. That technical foundation eventually expanded into entrepreneurship, digital marketing, education, strategic consulting and AI.

Today, my work brings those experiences together.

I am the creator and lead instructor of Trent University’s Artificial Intelligence for Business Leaders Micro-Credential, helping professionals develop practical AI skills and create solutions for their workplaces. Trent describes its AI program as practical professional development designed to help participants improve workflows, solve problems and support innovation without requiring programming experience.

I also create customized AI training for organizations and industry groups throughout Ontario and virtually across Canada.

Education

• Master of Engineering in Information Systems Engineering, University of Toronto

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Windsor

Areas of Expertise

• Practical and responsible AI adoption

• AI training and organizational readiness

• AI governance and policy

• Microsoft Copilot and workplace productivity

• Workflow discovery and automation strategy

• AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization

• Digital marketing and communications

• Adult learning and professional development

Strategic AI Advisory Services

Training helps people build the skills and confidence to use AI.

Strategic advisory services help organizations determine where to focus.

I provide structured reviews and action plans in three areas:

AI Visibility Audit & Action Plan

Evaluating how AI currently sees, describes and positions an organization—and identifying opportunities to strengthen visibility, clarity and authority.

AI Governance & Readiness Review

Assessing policies, approved tools, information handling, employee guidance, training needs and the practical guardrails required for responsible adoption.

AI Automation Strategy for Departments

Identifying repetitive work, information bottlenecks and high-value workflow opportunities, then creating a prioritized plan for implementation and training.

My role is to assess, prioritize and develop an actionable plan. An organization’s internal team or technology partners can then implement the recommendations.

Button: Explore AI Strategic Services

Community Leadership

Community involvement and entrepreneurship have always been important parts of my work.

My leadership and volunteer roles have included:

• Chair of the Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurship Competition

• Founding member of StartUpPeterborough

• Board member with the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce

• Board member with the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough

• Long-standing judge for the Economic Developers Council of Ontario Annual Marketing Awards

These experiences have strengthened my understanding of the realities facing entrepreneurs, community organizations, economic development professionals and local leaders.

Same Sofie. Clearer Direction.

For years, I created names for my programs, courses, workshop series and learning systems without placing my own name at the centre.

Then I noticed something important.

The people and organizations I work with may not always remember the names of my individual programs—but they know my name.

They say they are working with Sofie.

They recommend Sofie.

They ask Sofie to return.

That realization inspired my new personal brand and Borg-inspired logo.

The orange, blue and black reflect colours I have used throughout my career. The red glasses, long dark hair and cybernetic eye make it unmistakably personal.

The blending of human and machine also represents something fundamental about my approach to AI:

Technology should extend our capabilities—not erase the experience, judgment, creativity, empathy and personality that make us human.

There is also a deeply personal—and slightly humorous—story behind that cybernetic eye.

Button: Read the Story Behind My New Brand

A Little More About Me

Beyond the workshops, strategy sessions and Zoom screen, I love the outdoors, kayaking and exploring Ontario with my husband and dogs.

I bring that same curiosity, energy and sense of humour into my teaching. Learning should be meaningful and practical—but it should also be engaging, memorable and human.

Let’s Make AI Practical for Your Organization

Whether your organization is beginning its AI journey or is ready to move from experimentation to structured implementation, I would be happy to learn more about your goals.

Together, we can identify the right starting point for your people, priorities and workplace.

Connect with me!