At ITHRIVE, we believe every individual has unique strengths and talents that, when recognized and applied, can transform challenges into opportunities. Too often, external pressures overshadow the time needed for self-reflection, leaving many feeling undervalued and underutilized. We help employees and leaders uncover their inherent strengths, align them with purpose, and apply them in meaningful ways—building resilience, confidence, and lasting success both at work and in life.
Our mission and vision are symbolized by two powerful mascots; the Owl & the Eagle. The Owl represents self-discovery—knowledge, reflection, and the courage to seek answers from within. The Eagle embodies strategy and foresight—keeping vision alive, seeing opportunities from afar, and focusing with precision on the present. Together, they reflect our commitment to guiding professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs through expert strengths-based coaching, strategic planning, and performance management that turns potential into measurable impact.
VISION
We envision workplaces where people are truly known for who they are, relationships are humanized, and every individual is empowered to thrive by leaning into their unique strengths.
MISSION
We unlock human potential by helping individuals and organizations understand the “who” behind performance. Through strengths-informed coaching, strategic training, and accessible data-driven tools, we help clients cultivate resilience, inspire engagement, and elevate performance.
VALUES
Life
Resilience
Wisdom
Truth
Honesty
Responsibility
Focus
ITHRIVE is founded on differentiated teaching and training principles; we believe every learner has unique learning needs, and that everyone also has inherent strengths/talents which makes each of us valuable and unique. It is our mission to empower each individual with their Strengths DNA and help identify these unique talents and strengths using industry proven solutions and methodology (Gallup), and then guide each client through creating a measureable action plan to achieve their goals and outcomes.
The story and experience
of Vikas Poni
The Story
Born in the state of Uttar Pradesh India, Vikas has humble beginnings to his life journey. His late father started his career as a communications technician who later went on to work for the Ministry of External Affairs, India and travelled the world working for the Indian Foreign Service. His mother has always been a homemaker.
Vikas’ journey has been shaped by change and global experiences. From primary school in London, secondary studies in Cairo, and graduation from the University of Cambridge GCE O & A Levels in Harare, to completing his undergraduate studies in North Bay, Ontario, his path has cultivated a truly global perspective. These experiences nurtured an appreciation for diverse cultures and instilled in him the belief that people and business are deeply interconnected. Identifying as a global citizen, Vikas has carried this worldview into his life’s work—helping individuals and organizations discover their strengths and align them with purposeful action.
At just seventeen, Vikas left home to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration at Nipissing University in Northern Ontario. Remaining in the City of North Bay for over a decade—longer than he had lived anywhere else—was both a challenge and a gift. Away from family, he learned resilience, adaptability, and the importance of self-reflection. This period provided the clarity to define his own identity and purpose. Vikas believes that without this inner clarity, individuals often struggle to make meaningful decisions or realize their entrepreneurial vision. His personal journey reflects the very philosophy of ITHRIVE: that success begins with understanding who you are, embracing your strengths, and using that foundation to create lasting impact in business and in life.
At ITHRIVE, we provide training and coaching designed to strengthen employee engagement, elevate performance, and improve retention. Our approach equips individuals and teams with the tools and mindset needed to align their strengths with organizational goals, creating workplaces where people feel empowered and valued.
For entrepreneurs and business owners, we offer tailored coaching that helps transform ideas into sustainable action. Running a small business often means juggling countless responsibilities, and it’s easy to lose focus while wearing multiple hats. Our coaching programs helps you cut through the noise—identifying where your time and energy create the greatest impact, clarifying which tasks to own, and recognizing what to delegate—so you can align daily operations with long-term strategy and drive meaningful results.
At ITHRIVE, we believe lasting growth begins with self-reflection, the discovery of your unique Talent DNA, and the resilience to adapt with confidence. These pillars create the foundation for clarity and purpose—helping individuals uncover who they truly are and how they can make their greatest impact. When people embrace their authentic strengths, they not only enhance their self-worth but also gain the direction needed to navigate opportunities, overcome challenges, and pursue lives filled with untapped potential.
This chain of experiences and insights became the very foundation—and the driving force—behind ITHRIVE.
THE EXPERIENCE
Our founder Vikas Poni is a certified teacher with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), he holds an MBA with the University of Alberta, an Honours in Technology Management degree with Nipissing University, and is a graduate of the Gallup Strengths Finder coaching and Prosci change management programs.
Vikas brings a wealth of leadership, business, and coaching expertise to ITHRIVE’s services. His professional experience spans small business operations, provincial and municipal government, as well as both for-profit and non-profit sectors. Across these diverse settings, he has successfully led large-scale change management initiatives and delivered coaching programs that empower individuals and organizations to thrive through transformation.
Vikas contributes to ITHRIVE’s culture with over a decade of strategic leadership and business planning experience across both unionized and non-unionized environments.
Vikas founded ITHRIVE on principles rooted in Indigenous cultural values that honor identity, belonging, and interconnectedness. He recognized that burnout and declining performance are rarely capability issues — they often stem from people not being understood for who they are. Organizations frequently overlook the “who” behind their people, while individuals lack structured opportunities to translate self-awareness into meaningful action.
Traditional education and workplace systems rarely equip people with the competencies or practical tools needed to build sustainable growth. ITHRIVE was created to bridge that gap. Through strengths-informed coaching, strategic training, and accessible data-driven tools, ITHRIVE helps individuals and organizations understand the “who” behind performance, humanize workplace relationships, and build resilient cultures where people and teams thrive by leaning into their unique strengths.
Unlock your potential by owning your unique talents and living authentically.
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ITHRIVE Coaching service will help you identify, and apply your inherent
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