Meet Your Team

As is the case for so many of us in this industry, Karen Watt started her second career in the recruiting business, launching Excel Personnel in 1992, and ensuring its success with her wealth of expertise in the field of human resources.

Since day one, she’s loved being able to support local businesses by sourcing the best possible candidates to fill a variety of positions, from janitors to general managers, across nearly every industry.

Now celebrating more than 31 years in business, Karen has been successful in opening branch offices in Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, and Terrace/Kitimat, allowing her to better serve our clients, and opening up northern B.C. to local professional recruiters.

When she’s not in the office answering your calls, you’ll find Karen at training seminars or travelling to meet clients around North America.

In her free time, Karen prefers to be by the water, regardless of whether it’s a lake, a river, or an ocean, and she loves boating to her rustic cabin on Shuswap Lake, BC, spending time renovating the cabin, and enjoying the water while boating with friends.

Joan Hannestead brings with her 30  years in Finance utilizing Sage 50/Simply Accounting with full cycle bookkeepping.  She is highly motivated, has strong work ethics, adapts well and has exceptional interpersonal skills, dedicated to conforming with internal policies and standards.  Joan  is the mother of 2 children and brings her sparkling personality to our offices daily with an amazing additive to our office.

Beverley joined Excel Personnel in 2020, and she currently heads up our Prince George and northern B.C. business.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a keen interest in the field of Human Resources, particularly when it comes to recruitment, selection, and retention.

Beverley has lived in Prince George for 19 years and has met many wonderful people during her time there. Her role as the Talent Acquisition Specialist for Prince George and Northern B.C. has put her knowledge of this region, and its diversity of cultures, to good use.

She loves working with clients and candidates alike to ensure that both parties are happy, so don’t hesitate to contact her for all your staffing needs.

In her free time, she loves decorating, hiking, boating, and travelling. Beverley has hiked through many national parks, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, and Zion in Utah. She loves these kinds of desert landscapes, as she feels they are beautiful and full of surprises.

Bev gained her Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) in April 2024 and was celebrated at our annual Acsess Conference in Toronto in May 2024, A huge Congratulations from her Team at Excel Personnel and her piers at Acsess

Ashley joined Excel Personnel in 2023, bringing her vast knowledge of administration and customer service to the table.

She is committed to ensuring you receive the best possible service and get answers to all your questions, and her smiling face will be the first thing you see when you walk into the office. Ashley is breath of fresh air in our office with the most sparkling personality you will see when you phone or come into the office.

When she’s not answering phones or helping our clients and candidates, she can be found exploring the various lakes in the interior on her kayak.

Introducing Cyrena, our Director of Human Resources at Excel Personnel, who brings a unique blend of skills rooted in her background in digital marketing and executive administration. Raised in the picturesque surroundings of Kamloops, BC, she’s a water lover and finds her Zen in dance and yoga. Cyrena started her professional journey in the fast-paced world of digital marketing, where she cultivated her creativity and strategic thinking.

With time, she transitioned into executive administration, showcasing her organizational prowess and attention to detail. Whether she’s at work or enjoying her free time, Cyrena embodies a commitment to balance that’s reflected in her personality and approach to life, making her a valuable asset to the Excel Personnel team.

Cyrena gained her Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) in April 2024 and was celebrated at our annual Acsess Conference in Toronto in May 2024, A huge Congratulations from her Team at Excel Personnel and her piers at Acsess

Karen A. Watt, CEO, CPC

Cyrena Robinson – Director of Human Resources, CPC

Ashley Seitz – Amazing Administrator

Joan Hannestad- Director of Finance

Beverly Proteau – Director of Talent Acquisition in Northern BC