About Us
Transforming Organizations by Empowering People
Mission
We empower organizations to achieve their goals by unlocking and maximizing the full potential of their workforce through innovative leadership development and engagement strategies.
Vision
To transform workplace cultures into thriving ecosystems where every manager and employee evolves into a confident, capable leader driving sustained excellence and innovation.
Mandate
We collaborate with organizations to design tailored strategies that empower leaders at every level to unlock their full potential. By enhancing leadership capabilities and employee engagement, we cultivate committed workforces that drive organizational success.
Values
Our values form the foundational principles that guide the way we work together as a team and with our clients.
We have the courage to be innovative and challenge the process.
We develop trusting relationships with everyone we work with.
We provide a consistent approach in how we work to ensure a high level of excellence in everything we do.
The Story Behind Sinogap
A Mindset Shift
Where does the name Sinogap come from? The answer lies in the founder's name—spelled backwards. But beyond the clever wordplay, it symbolizes the company’s mission: empowering organizations to unlock the full potential of their workforce. Just as rearranging familiar letters creates something new, Sinogap helps businesses shift their perspectives, break free from fixed mindsets, and uncover hidden potential within their teams to achieve extraordinary results.
Dr. Johanna Pagonis
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Johanna Pagonis is the founder and CEO of Sinogap Solutions, with nearly 30 years of experience in organizational training, leadership development, and qualitative research. She has partnered with clients across the public and private sectors, including municipal, provincial, and federal government agencies, as well as not-for-profits and private industry. Her work includes extensive collaboration with law enforcement agencies across Canada—such as INTERPOL, CPS, EPS, the RCMP, and Alberta Justice and Solicitor General—designing impactful training programs tailored to public safety and policing, including contributions to the Investigative Skills Education Program (ISEP). She also led the development of leadership programs for the Saskatchewan Police College and other organizations. Her doctoral research at the University of Alberta focused on leadership development and inspired her book, Choose to Be a Leader Others Would Want to Follow, which provides practical strategies for building high-performing leaders.
Katie Allan, M.Ed
Chief Operating Officer
Katie Allan brings over 10 years of strategic management experience in higher education, with a strong background in training design, program evaluation, and cultural change. She leads all client projects related to organizational consulting at Sinogap Solutions, helping organizations assess, refine, and strengthen their operations. This includes overseeing organizational and functional reviews, culture and psychological safety assessments, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and change management. With a Master’s focused on mentorship in academia, Katie designs leadership programs that build skills in psychological safety, performance management, and team collaboration.
Jerry Nash B.Ed
Principal
Jerry has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and education, including leadership roles in complex, high-pressure environments. He has developed training programs for police services and led organizational change initiatives. Jerry is proficient in adult learning methodology, leadership training, and change management. His experience includes managing high-stakes operations, facilitating leadership workshops, and delivering training on tactical, ethical, and cultural sensitivity issues.
Erika Nelson M.Ed
Learning Architect & Lead Researcher
Erika is a PhD Candidate at the University of Alberta with a background in teaching and school administration. Her academic focus is in Educational Policy Studies and Leadership, and she brings years of experience supporting student learning and staff development. Erika has also worked with the Government of Alberta as the Professional Assurance Manager for the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission. Her work is grounded in creating inclusive, equity-focused learning environments and advancing leadership practices that foster collaboration, reflection, and systemic change.
