Kim Tocher
Managing Partner
Kim Tocher is the Managing Partner of STRIVE Recruitment and has over 17 years of experience in the staffing industry. Kim has worked her way up from a Staffing Consultant/Recruiter to a Vice President of one of the largest staffing firms in the world. She has provided staffing solutions to companies across Ontario, specifically in the manufacturing and logistics world. She has had 5 branches report to her in the Southwestern Ontario market, including a special projects team. Kim is an expert in customizing recruitment solutions to meet the needs of her customers, with experience in RPO, MSP, SME and large accounts.
She is known for being a people-oriented leader who builds trust with her teams. Giving back to the community is important to Kim. She has been volunteering with the Breakfast Club of Canada for over 10 years.
Outside of the office, you can find Kim at the arena or ball field. She plays co-ed hockey with her husband every Saturday in a beer league. Plus both her kids Liam and Hannah play hockey in the Hamilton area. In the summer she is busy watching her kids play rep baseball and flag football; and enjoying the weekends at her trailer.
Chanel Brasseur
Director, Business Development - Eastern Region
As the Director of Business Development, Chanel Brasseur brings over a decade of sales expertise, with five years focused on the staffing industry for one of the largest staffing firms in the world. Known for her pleasantly persistent approach, she quickly advanced into leadership roles and recently worked on a national team driving enterprise-level sales. Chanel is celebrated for elevating sales approaches, combining innovative strategies with a consultative methodology to deliver exceptional results and foster lasting client relationships.
Chanel is deeply committed to community engagement, actively serving on committees that promote diversity and inclusion, and mentoring women in the workplace through the Women Inclusive Network. Her strong appetite for pursuing new business and elevating clients’ recruitment strategies has earned her notable achievements, including the Rookie of the Year Award, and a Culture Award.
An adventure enthusiast at heart, Chanel loves traveling with her family, playing beach volleyball, snowboarding, and embracing the great outdoors.
Avery Konda
Director of Special Projects
Avery Konda is an award-winning business leader and talent strategist whose career has centered on one idea: creating opportunities that make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
With a background spanning recruitment, business development, entrepreneurship, operations and leadership, Avery has spent years helping organizations grow while connecting people with opportunities to advance their careers. His work in the talent industry has earned him numerous distinctions, including multiple Presidents Club recognitions, Diamond Club Gold Status, the High Productivity Award, Rookie of the Year, and organizational culture awards recognizing his contributions to people and workplace culture.
Beyond his professional career, Avery is passionate about sharing what he has learned with others. He is the creator of Career Boost, a career-focused publication exploring recruitment trends, interviewing, professional development, the changing world of work, and strategies for building a meaningful career.
An MBA graduate and lifelong learner, Avery has continued his education through institutions including Harvard Business School Online, with a particular interest in leadership, strategy, resilience, and the evolving relationship between people and work.
Cynthia Akinsola
Senior Recruitment Specialist - Corporate Administration
Cynthia serves as the Recruitment Specialist and Payroll Administrator at the STRIVE Recruitment Ontario office. Her role involves managing the recruitment processes and ensuring smooth payroll administration.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and a Postgraduate diploma in Human Resources, which provides her with a solid foundation for work in HR and recruitment.
Outside of work, she enjoys watching Korean movies and listening to music, as well as exploring new places and spending quality time with her family.
Oksana Chanas
Division Director, Manufacturing & Operations
Oksana is a Division Director at the Ontario office, where she manages the Operations team and provides recruitment solutions for both temporary and permanent roles for various manufacturing and logistics companies. After completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Brock University and a postgraduate diploma in human resource management, she took to the recruitment industry, where she’s gained over 5 years of experience specializing in industrial recruitment all over Southwestern Ontario.
She is an avid traveller, who loves to explore new places and cultures. When she’s not jet-setting around the world, she can be found playing beach volleyball, snowboarding, and spending time with my friends and family.
Jose Carmona
Interim Permanent Team Lead – Manufacturing & Operations
Jose is a Recruitment Consultant within the Manufacturing & Operations division here at STRIVE Recruitment. Jose is originally from the beautiful, vibrant county of Mexico, however, has been residing in British Columbia for over ten years and now calls Vancouver home. Jose brings over five years of sales and customer service experience to the STRIVE Recruitment team which he gained from several industries including fashion, recruitment, and media.
In his previous Recruitment role, Jose focused on hiring for positions within the operations field before transitioning into supporting inbound clients. Jose joined STRIVE Recruitment to continue his career path within the recruitment industry and build genuine relationships with clients and candidates alike.
In his spare time, Jose enjoys kayaking for long hours, camping, swimming, and exploring the various remote cities BC has to offer.
Abby Mech
Recruitment Specialist
Abby is a Recruitment Specialist who is passionate about helping people find meaningful career opportunities and connecting great talent with great organizations. She enjoys building strong relationships, understanding what motivates candidates, and creating positive experiences throughout the hiring process. Her goal is to make a lasting impact by helping individuals grow their careers while supporting businesses in finding the right people for their teams.
Outside of work, Abby enjoys staying active through Pilates, taking long walks, and spending quality time with her dog. Whether it’s exploring new trails or simply enjoying a daily walk together, she values the companionship and joy her dog brings to her life. These activities help her recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
Andres McDonald
Recruitment Specialist
Andres is a Recruitment Specialist with over five years of experience recruiting across multiple industries. He is passionate about building meaningful connections and helping others find roles where they can grow, thrive, and achieve their career goals. With a people-first approach, Andres brings energy, dedication, and genuine care to every candidate and client interaction.
Outside of work, Andres is a big sports enthusiast, especially enjoying soccer, racquet sports, and volleyball. He also loves watching movies and having in-depth conversations about different perspectives, interpretations, and possible theories.
Talar Koundakjian
Interim Temporary Team Lead - Manufacturing & Operations
Talar is a seasoned Recruitment Consultant with five years of experience specializing in high-volume industrial recruitment. She thrives on building strong relationships and delivering customized workforce solutions that align with both client needs and candidate goals. Passionate about connecting the right people with the right opportunities, Talar brings energy, dedication, and a people-first approach to every interaction in the fast-paced world of recruitment.
Outside the office, Talar is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new cities and finding tranquility in the presence of waterfalls. She also loves unwinding with karaoke, believing there’s nothing quite like a great song to bring people together.
Kloey Anderson
Recruitment Specialist, Manufacturing & Operations
Kloey is a Recruitment Specialist who is passionate about connecting people with opportunities that truly align with their skills, goals, and overall fit. She takes a people-first approach and focuses on building genuine relationships, as she believes that strong connections lead to the best outcomes for both clients and candidates. Kloey values clear communication, attention to detail, and creating a positive, supportive experience throughout the entire hiring process.
Outside of work, Kloey enjoys spending time with her fiancé and siblings. You’ll also usually find her shopping or going for drives. She is also a proud cat mom to Twix and Oreo.
