About

Theresa Ito

Theresa Ito is the principal owner of Blue Mountain Solutions and is an experienced professional who is passionate about people and serves as a catalyst to them achieving their aims.

The company is named Blue Mountain Solutions Inc. after the stunning mountain range in Jamaica. Theresa was born and raised in Jamaica and the mountains signify a challenge to aspire and grow. The Blue Mountains produce the finest coffee in the world and that aligns perfectly with the quality we provide.

The team consists of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Professionals
Work with a strong team of experienced associates to deliver the services offered
Years of experience with Fairmont Hotels, Hilton International, Sandals Resorts and Le Meridien chains. Plus many years at independent hotels
Instructed at Royal Roads University, delivering courses in the BA programs for Tourism and Hotel Management
Former General Manager of University of Victoria’s Swans Hotel, Canada and Sandals Resort, Jamaica
Sandals Resorts International’s first female General Manager
Held Executive/Senior Leader positions at the Fairmont Empress and Inn at Laurel Point, Canada and Sandals Resorts, Jamaica

Over 40 years of international hospitality experience
Internationally training leaders and teams in Canada, Mexico, England, Jamaica, Maui and California
Achieved “Investors in People” status for three hotels within a year
Finalist in the National Innkeepers Training Awards
An Independent Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer & Speaker with The John Maxwell Team
Certified facilitator for 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'
Learned many life lessons in teamwork and leadership through her passion for sports; Theresa is a netball coach and umpire, as well as a qualified instructor in pilates, aerobics and trampolining

Takashi Ito c.c.c.

Chef Takashi Ito is the Culinary Business Adviser & Implementer at Blue Mountain Solutions, he assists Chef to be more profitable and sustainable in business by developing and implementing efficient systems while keeping their work / life balance.

Chef Ito’s hands on approach and experience in the industry will allow him to work alongside the chef to improve the operations.

40 years of experience in kitchens across Canada: New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta and B.C.
Successful executive chef in industry for over 25 years
Certified Chef de Cuisine and Qualified Red Seal Cook
Worked with Fairmont properties for 17 years: Calgary’s Palliser and Victoria’s Empress
Successfully led unionized and non-unionized culinary teams
Designed and led kitchen renovations and restaurant concept changes
Passionate about the business success of culinary teams and has turned around several properties from losses into profit

World champion ice carver
Was selected to cook for many dignitaries including the Queen of England (twice), Bill Gates, the G8 summit and the Presidents from U.S.A., U.K. Russia and Japan
Inducted into the B.C. Restaurant’s Hall of Fame
Developed many skilled and engaged culinary teams and coached many leaders to the next level
Consistently achieved under budget food and labour cost in every kitchen
Represented Canada in the World Culinary Olympics
Member of the Canadian Culinary Federation and la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs

The Team

Jennifer Woppenkamp, Takashi Ito, Antonia Medeiros, Theresa Ito, Nadia Hobbs

Jennifer Woppenkamp

Associate Trainer

With over 20 years of hospitality experience, Jennifer has held senior leadership roles at several top properties in Victoria, including the iconic Fairmont Empress, Inn at Laurel Point and Delta Ocean Pointe Resort
Jennifer is passionate about people and leadership development. Nothing makes her happier than being part of someone’s growth journey
She’s known for rolling up her sleeves and providing hands-on operational support to companies aiming for improvement. By developing leaders on the job, she helps organizations see results where it matters: financially, through delighted customers, and in the unmistakable engagement of every team she works with
A passionate and engaging speaker, Jennifer’s sessions are always packed with best practices, useful anecdotes, and a healthy dose of humour

Sarah Koenig

Associate Trainer

Sarah brings a wealth of experience in hospitality and training with over a decade of experience in training and facilitation, including roles with Rocky Mountaineer, Greystone College, & Canadian Tourism College
Her true passion is helping team members grow and thrive, especially through training and development
She loves creating those “ah-ha” moments when learners apply new skills to enhance customer service and personal growth

Nadia Hobbs Garman

Office Manager

Nadia brings over a decade of international luxury hospitality, having held a variety of leadership roles with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Her journey has taken her from the iconic Fairmont Empress in Victoria, Canada to the pre-opening team for Fairmont Nanjing, China and Fairmont Jakarta, Indonesia
Her true passion lies in putting systems and processes in place to set leaders and teams up for success, building efficient structures that help businesses not just function, but flourish
Whether she’s refining workflows, supporting client projects, or simply sharing her love of great food, Nadia brings a unique blend of operational savvy and hospitality heart to everything she does

Antonia Medeiros

Associate

One of our highly recommended coaches at Blue Mountain Solutions, Antonia is an Executive Life and Empowerment Coach, Speaker, and Facilitator who specializes in helping individuals and organizations navigate the changes and obstacles that might stop them from getting to the next level
Antonia’s coaching approach is all about transformation. She offers one-to-one and group coaching, feminine empowerment coaching, and a special focus on supporting women in finding their voices as leaders in the world
With a background in journalism and experience as an author, Antonia brings a storyteller’s perspective to her coaching - helping clients re-write their own stories and embrace every chapter

Our Vision

To transform how people lead through training and development

Our Purpose

We equip leaders internationally with the skills & knowledge that guide them
to care for and nurture the people they have the privilege of leading

Our Values

Growth
We foster continuous personal and professional growth, inspiring leaders to elevate their skills and expertise

Impact
We enable leaders to make a significant impact on the lives of those they are privileged to lead

Fun
We create engaging and enjoyable learning environments, infusing energy and enthusiasm into every
training experience

Trust
We build trust through open and honest communication

Transparency
We communicate with openness and clarity within our team and with our clients and partners

Support
We provide unwavering support, guidance, and resources to empower leaders in overcoming challenges
and achieving their goals

It is a total coincidence that the values we have spell GIFTTS!