Biography
Profile
Facilitator and coach. More than fifteen years’ experience designing and facilitating courses and workshops. Topics include intercultural effectiveness, cultural adaptation, diversity and inclusion, bias awareness, experiential learning, gender equality, appreciative inquiry, leadership, and organizational culture. Broad experience facilitating groups of various sizes and compositions in a variety of sectors and contexts (NGO, educational sector, private sector, governmental). Certified as a facilitator in Appreciative Inquiry and accredited as a registered corporate coach (RCC). Experience developing asynchronous online learning and facilitating synchronous online workshops. Fully bilingual (English/French) and able to work in both languages at a high proficiency level.
Formal Education
Ø Bachelor of Education with Distinction: University of Alberta (Faculté Saint-Jean), Edmonton, 1993
Ø Certificate in Translation: McGill University, Montreal, 2007
Additional training and skills
Ø Appreciative Living Coaching certificate, 2020
Ø Certification as Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator, Centre for Appreciative Inquiry, 2017
Ø RCC™ coaching accreditation, Montreal, 2014
Languages
Ø English (mother tongue): excellent written and spoken
Ø French: excellent written and spoken
Professional experience
Coaching:
Ø Coaching experience in the following fields: professional re-orientation, organizational culture, adult education, personal leadership, relational skills, stress management, strengths-based change management; 2014 to present
Ø Individual “ex-pat” coaching for people returning from living and working abroad; 2013-present
Facilitation and Training (Consultant / English and French):
Ø Facilitator: synchronous online workshops during Covid-19 pandemic (NGO/education sector); 2020
Ø Facilitator in Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) courses for Government employees; 2017-present
Ø Facilitator/Trainer: cultural adaptation and re-integration workshops for international students in Canada and cultural effectiveness workshops for Canadian colleges; 2014-present
Ø Learning facilitator: courses and workshops for Government of Canada employees on various topics, co-facilitated with subject-matter experts; 2013 to present
Ø Facilitator for participatory processes, appreciative inquiry sessions, large- small-scale meetings, employee retreats; 2012 to present
Ø Facilitator/Trainer: diversity, equity and inclusion/bias awareness / leadership workshops for clients in various sectors; 2012 to present
Ø Facilitator: re-integration sessions for Canadians returning from overseas postings; various clients from governmental, non-governmental, and private sectors; 2006 to present
Ø Facilitator/Trainer: workshops for Canadians preparing to live and work abroad; topics include intercultural effectiveness, cross-cultural communication, cultural adaptation, gender and intersectionality, power and privilege, bias awareness, participatory approaches to development, conflict management, facilitation techniques; clients from various sectors; 2004 to present
Course and workshop design / teaching:
Ø Re-design of in-person workshops to synchronous online sessions: Spring/summer 2020
Ø Design of storyboards for asynchronous online learning : 2019
Ø Experience designing and facilitating Appreciative Inquiry activities; various clients; 2015-present
Ø Course design consultant / design and facilitation of various courses and workshops since 1992
Translation, interpretation, editing:
Ø Translation award: McGill Associates Prize in Translation, 2007
Ø Technical translator (French-English) and editor for various clients in NGO, private, academic, and governmental sectors; 2003 to present
Ø Literary translator (French-English): seven graphic novels published by Conundrum Press
Ø Interpreter (French to English / English to French): various clients and as volunteer, 1998 to present
NGO, civil society:
Ø Program Officer: Canada World Youth; Montreal, 2001-2002 and 2004
Ø Logistics Coordinator: Canada World Youth; Montreal, 1999-2001
Ø Research Assistant and Research Consultant: Canada World Youth; Montreal, 1998
International and intercultural experience
Ø Extended living/working experiences and/or travels in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Polynesia, and several locations across North America and Europe
Ø Volunteer in international programs: Benin (Canada World Youth / United Nations Development Program); 1993 and Mali (Canada World Youth); 1991
Ø Vast experience working closely with people of various cultural backgrounds in Canada
