Drew Bird, MSc, MA

Program Lead, Principal Faculty

Combining hands-on senior leadership expertise with research informed approaches, Drew’s experience spans a wide variety of fields related to the identification, development, alignment, and engagement of leaders in today’s organizations. His practical approach, energy, and enthusiasm create solutions and environments that allow leaders, their teams, and their organizations to thrive.

Over the course of his career, Drew has worked with organizations in Canada, the US, and the UK, including the London Stock Exchange, the Bank of England, the United Nations, and Osborne-McGraw-Hill. This broad exposure has allowed Drew to see first-hand what a difference effective leaders, and effective leadership practices, can make to an organization.

In 2009 Drew was a co-founder of the British Columbia Health Authority Leadership Development Collaborative, a joint effort by the provincial health authorities to establish a uniform approach to leadership development, succession planning, and other leadership talent management practices. This initiative, which uses the LEADS Capability Framework as its foundation, now includes the first cross-organizational leadership mentoring network in Canada, and a range of front line, mid-level, and executive leadership development programs. Drew has since gone on to work with select clients from both the private and public sectors, including Alberta Health Services, the largest healthcare provider in Canada.

Drew also continues to work individually with leaders from a range of organizations, and at all organizational levels, supporting them and their teams on day-to-day business issues and long term strategic challenges. Drew’s engaging style and depth of subject matter knowledge make him a sought after presenter and facilitator on a wide range of topics.

Drew holds an MSc in Organizational Psychology from the University of London, England, and an MA in Leadership from Royal Roads University in Victoria, Canada. He is currently preparing for Doctoral level work. Drew is a member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Karen Bowen, BA, MA

Faculty & Projects

With over 20 years’ experience in leadership, learning and organizational development; Karen supports organizations and teams through comprehensive leadership curriculums and interventional organizational development services.  Karen holds a BA in English, a Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education, and a Masters in Leadership through Royal Roads University. Karen’s certifications in graphic facilitation, Barry Oshry’s Power and Systems, Gervase Bushe’s Clear Leadership, Human Systems Dynamics and the Myers Briggs Type Inventory allow her to deliver innovative leadership learning programs and powerful organizational interventions.

Karen is conscious about the values guiding her work and focuses on achieving real results through learning, people and culture; a very complex balancing act. Translating a somewhat mysterious world of personal and organizational values, leadership skills, team dynamics, and culture change into metrics, measurable trends, concrete strategy and practical objectives is a unique skill that Karen brings to her work. With 8 years of health care system practice in a context of enormous challenges and constant change Karen has helped teams create new conversations and relationships, opportunities for growth and the renewed courage to face complexity that is the new normal of the health care system.

Karen has a foundational belief that we are accountable for our experience and empowered in the choices we make.  Karen’s role in development is one of planner, designer, facilitator, teacher and coach – guiding individuals and teams through a process of exploration that results in tangible, effective behavior and culture change.  Providing space to hear every voice, honoring all experiences, and designing processes and interventions that foster trust are principles that underpin Karen’s practice. She is a trusted partner with leadership teams in building clear pathways for positive innovation and change.

Also recognized for her values-based strategic planning approach, Karen has worked with a diverse technology business and healthcare population from front-line clinical practitioners and physicians to mid and executive level leaders.  A passionate outdoor enthusiast and athlete as well as a practicing fitness and yoga instructor; Karen practices a holistic approach to life and leadership. Incorporating mindfulness, intention and conscious choice into solid leadership and organizational system theories ensures sustainable and achievable results.

Cathy Morris, MA, HCS

Program Support

Cathy is a talent management professional with 14+ years of strategic people, process, and culture evolution work. Her focus is on talent development, organizational design and development, and human resources strategy. She is a certified Human Capital Strategist, and holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology.

Cathy works with organizations and individual leaders to identify and establish culture-shaping behaviors and systems. She helps to create workplaces which foster innovation, employee engagement, and demonstrable business results. Her approach is consultative, asking key questions for productive dialogues especially with undefined or complex issues. Cathy frames her role as translator and facilitator, helping clients discover and articulate the best solutions to their challenges and objectives.

Across her career, Cathy has served businesses in the areas of training and curriculum development, performance management, leadership development, business process redesign, technical project management, and overall organizational change. She has managed P&L for HR Talent Operations, as well as, Client Services organizations. Her experience with startup to Fortune 500 organizations has focused on leading the development of people solutions to increase performance effectiveness and process transformation, in direct support of business needs. Cathy also works one-on-one with leaders at all levels, supporting them to grow and develop their leadership skills.