About Us
We build bridges between business performance and people strategy.
Built on Trust. Backed by Strategy.
We partner with people-first organizations to align purpose, culture, and growth — from the inside out.
Our Team
Kataneh Sherkat
Co-founder and Partner
As an avid world traveller, she developed a passion for observing people from diverse backgrounds, motivating those on the verge of giving up, and blending innovation with a human touch.
Today, she brings that focus to assisting clients with business strategy, focused recruitment, board advisory, and program-based coaching. Merging your business strategic priorities with your team contributor profiles is at the core of her specialty.
Throughout her career, Kataneh has collaborated with leaders from start-ups to global corporations and boards. Her professional experience includes roles at organizations such as Northwest Realty, Royal Bank, CIBC, Deloitte, Boyden (formerly Odgers), Peeple Inc., and WMC. She has led hundreds of senior-level executive search projects, coached professionals at all career stages, and advised leadership teams and boards across municipal and government bodies, First Nation entities, healthcare organizations, and private and VC-backed manufacturing, distribution, and retail companies.
As a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and a Certified Positive Intelligence Coach, she integrates these disciplines into every interaction—whether supporting a leadership team, interviewing candidates, unearthing what’s not being said, or serving as a resilience coach. Kataneh also holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Urban Land Economics from UBC, a Certificate in International Business Management from HEC Paris, and an MBA in Strategic Management from McGill University.
Kataneh is active in the non-profit community and passionate about supporting grassroots initiatives. In her free time, she enjoys the richness of family and friends, the companionship of her adoring dog Coco, as well as traveling and painting.
Kataneh Sherkat has spent her career advising clients locally, nationally, and internationally on people-centric strategic issues.
Irene Hensel
Co-founder and Partner
Irene Hensel is a seasoned HR and organizational development leader with over 25 years of experience driving people strategies that deliver measurable impact.
Known for her strategic insight and hands-on approach, Irene has designed and led innovative, people-focused programs that align talent with business priorities across a range of sectors.
She began her HR career in Singapore, where she launched the HR practice for a regional executive search firm and advised leading multinationals across the Asia -Pacific region. After returning to Canada, Irene joined The Caldwell Partners and later Boyden as Principal, where she led senior-level searches for private and public organizations both locally and nationally.
After 17 years in executive search, Irene transitioned in-house, taking on the role of leading global talent acquisition for a multinational resource company. There, she developed enterprise-wide strategies to attract talent across diverse markets. She later joined the University of British Columbia, where she led HR for three Vice President portfolios, driving workforce planning, leadership development, and organizational transformation.
Irene is known for her ability to align people with purpose, build high-performance cultures, and deliver practical, people-centered solutions. She holds a BA from UBC, is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), and is certified in Prosci Change Management and Fierce Conversations.
Committed to giving back, Irene has volunteered with the YWCA, the Canadian Board Diversity Council, and the Canadian Cancer Society. Outside of work, you’ll find her listening to podcasts while walking the dog (rain or shine), or cheering on her twins at their sports games. She deeply values time with family and friends—moments that fuel the perspective and balance she brings to her work.
People first. Always.
We believe the foundation of every successful business is strong human connection. That’s why we don’t offer off-the-shelf HR solutions. We listen first, then pivot as needed to deliver tailored advice shaped by your unique context and evolving market conditions. We take the time to understand your world, integrate with your team, and become the kind of trusted partner who’s always looking out for you—because we genuinely care and want to be in it with you.
We build bridges between business and people strategy
At Bridge Strategies, we start by understanding where you are—and where you want to go. Through open and transparent communication, we collaborate with you every step of the way, with the goal of creating practical, people-focused strategies to help you get there. Whether you're scaling your team, strengthening workplace culture, developing team members, or navigating organizational change, we align HR strategy with your business vision every step of the way. We act as the bridge that turns vision into momentum.
This is more than consulting — it’s a partnership.
Rooted in empathy, shaped by strategy, and built to last.
With you for the journey
Think of us as an extension of your team. Whether you need ongoing HR support or expert guidance at critical moments, we’re here: responsive, reliable, and ready to step in when it matters most. We help you move forward with confidence and clarity, providing strategic HR consulting that bridges people and performance every step of the way.