Bernard Aschwanden

Bernard Aschwanden is a recognized publishing technologies expert. He is an Adobe Certified Expert, a Certified Technical Trainer, and the author of numerous articles on xml-based publishing and single sourcing. He is the founder and President of Publishing Smarter.

In addition to his publishing background and speaking tours, Bernard teaches a variety of courses. These include XML, DITA, CMS tools and related technologies, best practices for structured authoring, content management, and tools such as FrameMaker and XMetaL. He also works with clients to convert legacy content, analyze documentation, review workflows, and identify best practices in technical communications.

Bernard is a Director of the Society for Technical Communication and a past President of the Toronto STC. He is a professor in the continuing education Technical Communications program with Seneca@York, on the advisory board for the Humber College Technical Communications program, and remains active in the STC delivering in-person seminars and online webinars to members around the world. He has helped hundreds of companies implement successful publishing solutions.

France Baril

France Baril is an Information Architect with a B.A. in Communication from the University of Ottawa and a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Université de Sherbrooke. This background along with the fact that she is fluent in more than one language serves her well in a technical publishing industry that embraces evolving content models, new technologies, localization and process automation.

France has been able to wear many hats in this field of practice: computer programmer, analyst, technical writer, technical localization/translation specialist, documentation architect, and product manager of a Content Management System (CMS) designed for DITA.

Today she offers her services to organizations that want to profit from her 360° view of the documentation processes and life cycle. Whether clients need her to act on one or many levels, she always keeps an eye on systemic coherence and often acts as an interpreter between managers, writers, and developers.

Jacquie Samuels

Jacquie Samuels is an Information Architect, Senior Information Developer, and CMS Consultant. She also has an extensive background in technical writing and editing. She graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and acquired an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Toronto before receiving a certificate in Technical Writing from Seneca College.

She's AIIM certified in SharePoint and has a certificate of Information Management from the University of Toronto.

Jacquie is a senior member of the Society for Technical Communication. She writes and edits software and training documentation for clients throughout Canada and the United States.

Rhys Griffiths

Rhys Griffiths is an Information Architect, Team Lead, Senior Technical Writer, and Single-sourcing and CMS Consultant. He has degrees in writing and psychology and certificates in publishing and technical writing.

Rhys has spent the last 10 years working in the medical devices and microchip industries writing and deploying XML CMS's in DITA and proprietary schema.

Rhys is a senior member of the Society for Technical Communication and was the manager of the Toronto Chapter's Single-Sourcing Special Interest Group.

Christy Jackson

Christy Jackson is an Information Architect and Technical Trainer. She is an accomplished developer and trainer with extensive experience working with FrameMaker and XMetaL. In addition to her training experience, she is a knowledgeable industry expert and presents at both client sites and conferences across North America.

Christy actively works with clients to develop and implement solutions based on DITA, XML and single sourcing. She also trains in tools such as FrameMaker and XMetaL. As an information architect she keeps a strong focus on usability in consulting and training.