Who We Are
At ThinkShop, we’re not just teachers – Shari Walczak & Jennifer Kittmer, Chief Strategy Officer and Strategy Director at The Garden, are actual doers who have experienced repeated success from a disciplined process to tap into creative thinking.
The Garden is one of Canada's top independent creative and brand strategy agencies. Over the last eight years, our unique workshops have yielded breakthrough ideas across dozens of different industries. Many well-known brands like Sodastream, Samsung, Roots, Kobo and Wattpad, have been recognized both locally and globally as a direct result of the solutions formed in our workshops.
Shari Walczak
Founder, Lead Facilitator & Program Developer
Shari is one of Canada’s top brand strategy experts with over 20 years of experience consulting for organizations like SodaStream, Interac, Samsung, Audi, Kraft, Coca Cola and Astrazeneca. With a MS degree in Creativity and Change Leadership from the Center for Applied Imagination at Buffalo State University and an HBA Degree from the Ivey School of Business at Western, she has built a reputation as both a change agent and expert facilitator.
Her creative influence extends well beyond the world of business as evidenced by her volunteer role heading up the team that designed and launched the Toronto District School Board’s first holistic education-based elementary school. In addition, Shari contributed to the top-selling business book The Collective Wisdom of High Performing Women, is frequently in demand as a guest speaker, and serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship at Western University.
Jenn has worked in brand management and marketing for over a decade, with a focus on CPG and retail brands. An experienced facilitator, strategic planner and storyteller, she's certified through the Creative Problem Solving Institute and the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies.
Over the years, Jenn has charted the strategic approach for many well-loved brands like SodaStream, Cheerios, FitTrack, MamaEarth Organics, No Frills, and Shoppers Drug Mart. Not only does her work drive business effectiveness, but it has been recognized and awarded by many shows including the Effies, Clios, D&ADs, Strategy Awards and Marketing Awards. Jenn can always be counted on to eagerly dive into a new industry, customer segment or cultural trend to uncover the fresh insight that will drive brand relevance and impact.
