Karen Stewart

President & CEO

Karen Stewart, BSc., M.B.A., RHU, CDFA, R.F.M., of Fairway Divorce Solutions is an entrepreneur, divorce guru and proud single mother of three.

While undergoing a divorce during the early part of the decade, Karen experienced first hand the emotional and financial fallouts of today’s divorce system. The process cost her half a million dollars and left her believing there had to be a better way. Karen began formulating what a new divorce paradigm might look like and as a result Fairway Divorce Solutions was born and “Clean Break” was written.

Using her considerable experience as a Financial Planner, Stock Broker, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and business woman, Karen launched Fairway Divorce Solutions to the public in 2006. As an innovator striving to change the way divorce happens, Karen developed Fairway Divorce Solutions by shifting the paradigm of the current divorce system and therefore reducing the cost, time, emotional stress, and ultimately saving the children.

Entrepreneurship is not new to Karen. She has an extensive and successful history starting businesses in the financial world, including  Balanced Planning Alberta, Exclusive Capital and Milestone Asset Management, Karen’s primary business for the last 15 years.

Today, Karen runs Fairway Divorce Solutions and spends time with her growing family. She is a regular guest on the Big Brain Radio Show out of Minneapolis, Minnesota and has been interviewed by notable media outlets across the country, such as. Readers Digest, CTV Television, Global Television, Alberta Venture Magazine and CBC Radio.

Larissa Stone

Franchise Development Manager

Larissa studied towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Alberta College of Art & Design and the University of Chico, California.  She has also furthered her education in Human Resources Management and Business Administration.  She came to Fairway with five years of Executive Assistant experience in the areas of Investor Relations, Governance, Human Resources Management, Marketing and Public Relations.

Choosing to work with Fairway wasn’t a challenging decision for Larissa to make as she felt an instant connection with Karen Stewart as a Business Mentor.  Larissa began her journey with Fairway in 2008 as Karen’s Executive Assistant and through this position gained considerable knowledge of the company and the Franchising goals and expectations.  In 2009 she was promoted to Franchise Development Manager to lead in the areas of Franchise Sales, Product Development, Strategic Planning, Marketing, Public Relations and Franchise Training.

In Larissa’s down time she is an artist, particularly in 2D abstract/modern paintings and she also underwrites resumes for Human Resource Consulting Firms.

Through witnessing the positive impact Fairway’s model can have on such an overwhelming life experience, Larissa looks forward to expanding beyond North America to allow others the opportunity for a Fair Way to divorce.

Lindsay Hornberger

Franchise Operations Coordinator

Lindsay Hornberger began her career with Fairway Divorce Solutions in October 2009 and has held the position of Franchise Operations Coordinator since that time.

Lindsay completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations at the University of Calgary and has also earned an Accounting Technician Diploma with honors from Reeves College.  While completing her education, Lindsay held an Accounts Payable position with Tonko Realty Advisers and prior to that, a position as a Product Accounting Administrator with Superior Propane.

Having been affected by and recognizing the devastating impact traditional divorce methods have had on our society and culture, Lindsay’s decision to become a Fairway Divorce Solutions team member allows her the opportunity to be a part of positive change and a revolutionization in divorce. 
 

Paige Leeder

Training and Support Coordinator

Paige received a Bachelor of Arts honors degree in Psychology at the University of Calgary and completed her thesis in Industrial Organizational Psychology.  She received numerous awards for her academic standing including the Silver Medallion Award given to the person who graduated with the highest distinction in the department of Psychology.  Paige came to Fairway with seven years of experience in Human Resources and Management.

After reading “Clean Break” Paige knew that she wanted to work for Fairway Divorce Solutions and specifically, Karen Stewart.   Now she coordinates and facilitates quarterly two-week training sessions to new Franchise Owners.  Paige assists in the start up and continued growth of new Franchises and support for all established Franchises across North America.

Having come from a family of divorce and a single mother of two teenage boys herself, Paige understands the negative impact that the traditional system can have on children and is proud to be part of a company that is bringing about positive change in this area. 

Brookline Public Relations, Inc.

Shauna McDonald

Brookline Public Relations Inc. is one of Canada's leading boutique public relations agencies with a superior track record for planning and executing award-winning public relations programs. They are dedicated to helping Fairway Divorce Solutions build awareness, credibility and a strong reputation across North America and eventually around the world.

Spark Group

Jennifer Maloney

With 20 years of combined experience in the public relations industry, the creative team behind Spark PR is leading the charge when it comes to results-driven publicity.  As the media liaisons behind some of North America’s most talked-about brands, Spark has built a trusted relationship with top media professionals from coast to coast and has landed its clients coveted media coverage in media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Today Show, and Oprah. Spark is very pleased to be working with Fairway Divorce Solutions as it expands across the United States. 

Siskinds LLP--Fairway’s Legal Support

Peter Dillon

Siskinds LLP traces its roots back to 1883 and today is one of the foremost law firms in Canada in the areas of franchising, class-action litigation and debt recovery. The firm’s Franchise & Distribution Law Group is composed of a dynamic team of business-oriented lawyers who practice in the areas of franchise, licensing, distribution and trademarks. The Group has extensive experience acting on behalf of both franchisors and franchisees in franchise default and termination situations including lease terminations, realization on assets and security, receiverships, bankruptcy and injunctions to enforce non-competition provisions of franchise agreements.

Cameron Herold

Executive Team member from Oct 2007 to Oct 2008

Cameron Herold joined Fairway Divorce Solutions for a one year contract to oversee the initial start up and selling of franchises.  He was instrumental in the initiation of the Fairway franchise model. Fairway was able to benefit from his experience and success gained as the Chief Operating Officer of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

Further to this role Mr. Herold brought over 22 years of franchise experience.

Under Mr. Herold’s direction, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has enjoyed exponential growth of its franchise network and widespread recognition for its business achievements. Growing from an initial base in Vancouver to a presence in virtually every major city in North America & Australia, Cameron helped lead the company from $2 Million to over $106 Million in just over six years.

Donaldson & Associates Inc.

Dr. June Donaldson, (MBA, EdD, Certified Mediator and Arbitrator) www.emotionalsmarts.com

Divorce presents people with a series of emotionally charged, intellectually challenging and sometimes guilt laden decisions. Knowing and applying Dr. June Donaldson’s model of emotional intelligence, known as “Emotional SMARTS®”, is a critical factor in people being able to productively, efficiently and effectively bring timely closure to their divorce. Knowing how to demonstrate one’s Emotional SMARTS® is also a mark of one’s emotional maturity, professionalism and class. Fairway Divorce Solutions® and Donaldson & Associates, Inc., have teamed up to provide Fairway clients with credible, reliable, educational, encouraging, and realistic resource material on how to be emotionally smart in managing their behavioral style so they move through their life changing experience while protecting their children and hard earned assets in the process.

Family Life Works Inc.

Sandy Shuler, B.S.W.; R.S.W.; C.C.F.E.  http://www.familylifeworks.ca

How parents handle divorce in their families with their children, is one of the most important variables in children’s adjustment through the experience.  Sandy brings years of professional and personal experience to her consultation to Fairway Divorce Solutions, “Nurtured Children” component.  Through parent education seminars, she provides valuable information, resources, strategies and support to parents as they learn about the issues children face through separation/divorce.

Sandy is the co-author and developer of the established community program “Effective Co-Parenting:  Putting Kids First” and is a Registered Social Worker and Certified Canadian Family Educator.