About TransFocus

Co-founded by Kai Scott and Drew Dennis and operating for 7 years, TransFocus brings a strategic approach to inclusion, helping organizations transform from the inside out.

TransFocus creates greater inclusion of gender diversity in organizational cultures and structures. We do this in a deliberate and gradual way. Uniquely, we listen to transgender people and cisgender people to identify issues and develop solutions. It is important to understand the unique challenges that face transgender people while also knowing what cisgender people need during education and change processes. This allows a balance between various needs.

Why work with us?

Our team has decades of professional expertise providing education and strategies. We also have a deeper understanding from our lived experiences across the gender spectrum. This unique combination enables us to develop innovative solutions to address gender issues.

See Past Projects

Meet Our Team

TransFocus consists of associates located around the world with specific professional expertise and lived experience, including trans women, non-binary people, and trans men, who are fluent in multiple languages, including English and French. We acknowledge that our offices are located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), specifically the place name of Iy̓el̓shn (“good footing” - also known as English Bay). The team is led by Kai Scott.

Kai Scott,MA
President & Gender Strategist
(he/him)

Kai pairs his technical skills from 15 years as a social scientist conducting social impact assessments with his lived experiences as a trans man to develop innovative solutions for greater inclusion of gender diversity. He uses exploratory, evidence-based methods and quantitative and qualitative tools—like interviews, surveys, systems reviews and spatial analyses—to develop solutions that create real, measurable change.

Hélène Frohard-Dourlent, PhD
Senior Strategist
(they/them + she/her)

Hélène has over 10 years of experience leading educational and organizational change initiatives focused on equity and inclusion. Their work has focused on supporting areas of change related to SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) with a lens to intersectional dynamics. Hélène pairs their research background with their facilitation skills to advocate for sustainable forms of systems change and education that create more inclusive and responsive organizational contexts for all people regardless of gender – yet being mindful of how much gender shapes many people’s daily experiences. Hélène is a bilingual nerd who loves talking about inclusive survey design, the emergence of non-binary language in French, and trans-inclusive policies. They are located in Vancouver, BC.

Ky Sargeant
Facilitator
(she/her + they/them)

Ky has dedicated her time to studying and working extensively within the field of equity, diversity, inclusion, and organizational culture. Along with her work at TransFocus, she is actively involved in assisting administration at University of British Columbia (in particular, Sauder School of Business) on gender diversity issues, and has co-founded the first student organization dedicated to providing professional resources for LGBTQ2+ students in the field of business. At TransFocus, they have experience conducting research and facilitating education sessions on gender diversity in various organizational settings.

Nicolas Montagut
Project Manager
(he/him)

Nico started his career in the service industry and has over 8 years of experience in project management. During this time, he managed various test projects, geared towards ongoing product development and improvements for a leading multinational company. He also organized and hosted live and virtual training seminars.
Currently at TransFocus, Nico is responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing projects from beginning to end. He works closely with both the Technical Team and all the Education Session Facilitators.
Nico is proud to be part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and a Trans ally.

TransFocus is a certified LGBT Business Enterprise
with the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC 060217)

Selected Projects

[2022] Greater Vancouver YWCA

Conducted a survey among nearly 150 employees on gender diversity to determine priorities for changes. Delivered training sessions to 50 frontline staff on active allyship and 70 managers to prepare them to better support transgender employees at different levels of outness. Undertaking strategy sessions with cross-departmental to implement high-impact recommendations.

[2022] BC College of Nurses and Midwives

Supported decision-making to increase inclusivity in washrooms with particular consideration of privacy and safety. Conducted a pulse check survey among 180 employees to determine readiness and refine change for greater comfort. Facilitated education sessions for 200 employees to prepare managers and employees for washroom changes.

[2021-22] Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES)

Conducted three projects to ensure greater inclusion of gender diversity in Canadian sports. This entailed conducting focus groups and surveys among administrators at the CCES and National Sport Organizations as well as high-performing athletes. Areas of assessment included policies, procedures, and systems. A total of nearly 250 participants were engaged resulting in 14 recommendations to ensure greater inclusion.

[2019-2021] Fraser Health Authority

Conducted Gender Diversity Audit among FHA’s patients and employees to better understand the needs and interests of trans, non-binary and Two Spirit people in acute care and community health facilities. The discovery entailed interviews, focus groups, and surveys among 488 stakeholders. The processes yielded a comprehensive and integrated set of 42 recommendations.

[2020-2021] Bell Canada

Developed a tailored training manual on gender inclusive communications in English and French for all employees at Bell and affiliates. The manual covered different work environments, including offices, retail, and call centres, as well as nuances across various types of communications methods, including in-person, email/text, and email.

Conducted train-the-trainer on the key contents. The manual formed the basis of an e-Learning course on gender diversity.

Provided ongoing advice on a number of emerging issues, including gender data, washroom signage, and use of pronouns in the workplace.

[2020] Ernst and Young Canada

Completed a review and recommendations for three areas at EY Canada, including communications, records, and programs for both employees and clients. Revised EY USA Human Resources materials to fit within a Canadian context. The discovery entailed assessment of documents and systems to determine the existing gaps and opportunities to expand and revise for greater trans inclusion. The project ended with training EY HR staff on key structural and cultural changes.

[2019-2020] University of British Columbia

Conducted multi-stakeholder process among diverse facilities users to inform the key elements of an inclusive facilities standards for new and existing buildings on UBC campuses. The mixed methods included quantitative and qualitative approaches, including open houses, surveys, focus groups, and interviews. TransFocus is currently compiling, analyzing, and writing insights, experiences, and ideas from nearly 5,000 stakeholders.

[2016- 2019] SAP Canada and America

Assisted Human Resources managers with communication plans for five (5) employees transitioning their gender on the job across offices in Canada and the United States. Conducted a series of education and awareness sessions for a total of 300+ SAP employees across North American locations to provide information about terms and concepts related to gender diversity and how to respectfully interact with transgender colleagues. Conducted review of washroom and change room facilities in the Vancouver office as a case study for offices across Canada. This entailed a series of meetings with facilities leads, review and analysis of floorplans, and a tour of the washrooms and change rooms at SAP.

[2018] Capilano University

Conducted a Gender Diversity Audit to identify existing challenges facing transgender students and employees at Capilano University. Undertook multi-stakeholder consultation among 40 participants. Developed 32 recommendations to address current gaps in experiences.

[2017] Hostelling International Canada + United States

Comprehensive discovery and assessment consultation with inter-departmental representatives of the HI Canada and United States, including interviews, document review and strategy sessions to inform recommended gender solutions in shared dorm products, bathroom and shower facilities, online booking systems, member registration, communications and human resources.

[2017] BC Council of Admissions and Transfers

Conducted multi-stakeholder consultation among 110 participants to determine the best option for expanding gender categories within student information systems across nearly 30 universities in British Columbia. The recommended option is currently being piloted in select institutions.

[2016] City of Vancouver, BC

Consultation with city staff from 20 departments across the City’s facilities, human resources, communications, and programs and services. The comprehensive set of 31 recommendations was approved by City Council and we continue to support the city with implementation of solutions and delivery of custom training to managers.