10/01/2026
Small Business Spotlight: Koru Training and Consulting
Founded in 2024, Koru Training and Consulting is helping build stronger, healthier communities across Northwestern Ontario through practical, Northern-informed mental health training. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in mental health and social services, founder Ashley Jellema created Koru to provide training that reflects the unique realities of working in Northern and remote communities.
After years of receiving requests to deliver case management and mental health training outside of her full-time roles, Ashley was inspired to launch her own consulting business. Koru was built on the belief that training should be flexible, relevant, and grounded in lived experience—empowering organizations to better support the people they serve.
Looking ahead, Koru Training and Consulting is focused on expanding mental health, trauma-informed, and de-escalation training throughout Thunder Bay, particularly within the skilled trades, where conversations around substance use and su***de are often overlooked. Ashley is also growing her bullying prevention programs to help create kinder, safer schools, workplaces, and communities.
Learn more: https://www.korudirection.com/
