Director of the School of Communication and Culture

After teaching English for twenty years, I combined my passion for communication and athletics in pursuing an MA in Leadership where my research focused on the impact of experiential training programs on organizational performance. I went on to earn my PhD in Organizational Studies from the University of Victoria where I developed a problem solving intervention called Integrated Focus that I continue to apply with individuals and organizations from a variety of realms. 

In designing communication, change, and performance interventions, I blend theories from organizational, educational, and sport psychology. I draw heavily upon my experience as a member of Canada’s Commonwealth, World and Olympic gold medalist rowing teams (1983-1992) as a facilitator, educator, and consultant. 

My research interests include team dynamics, creative insight, innovation and high performance. I teach courses in research methods, organizational, interpersonal and small group communication, and leadership. I am currently conducting several studies: training creative insight, problem framing within the research process, stress thriving, learning and technology, energy management, and the personal and social value of sport participation. I am a mother of three and an active member of the athletic and educational communities in Victoria, B.C. 

Awards and Nominations:

WCB WorkSafeBC Doctoral Research Training Award, 2006 ($22,500): “The Power of Focus: Predicting and Overcoming the Barriers to Return to Work”

Best Doctoral Paper Nomination 2008 Western Academy of Management: “Unlocking Creative Insight and Overcoming Performance Barriers”

Best Doctoral Paper 2007 Western Academy of Management: “Are You Ready? A Sport Model for Organizational Change”

Best Doctoral Paper 2005 Western Academy of Management: “Getting Ready for Organizational Change: Toward a Procedural Model”

Refereed Journal Articles:

Change Readiness: The Roles of Appraisal, Focus, and Perceived Control (2008) Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 44(3), p. 315- 347

Improving Performance in Solving Insight Problems: The Roles of Assumptions, Barriers and Goals (in press 2010) Journal of Creative Behavior.

From Walls to Windows: Using Barriers as Keys to Unlock Insightful Solutions (in press 2010) Journal of Creative Behavior

Books:

Integrated Focus: Unlocking Insight and Overcoming Barriers to Performance, VDM Publishing

Non Refereed Articles:

Drilling Down and Whysing Up: Penetrating Barriers to Organizational Learning and Innovation, Network Magazine HRIA ESource, Summer 2009

Energy Management: Building a Regenerative Organization, HR Voice, Victoria BCHRMA, Winter 2009

Energy Management, Network Magazine HRIA, Spring 2009

Are You Ready? (2002) Society for Organizational Learning Online Journal

Invited Presentations:

Learning to Thrive, Not Just Survive, In Stressful Work Environments, (Toronto, 2010), Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health Conference.

Thinking Outside the Risk: Overcoming Barriers to Workplace Health, (Toronto, 2010), Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health Conference.

Achieving the Triple Bottom Line with Integrated Thinking, (Vancouver, 2010), Health Work and Wellness Conference.

The Gold Medal Standard: Using Olympic Principles to Guide your Organization to Success, (Victoria, 2010), Canadian Evaluation Society Conference.

Thriving, Not Just Surviving in Complex and Stressful Work Environments, (Hawaii, 2010), Western Academy of Management Conference

Integrated Focus: The Roles of Emotion and Cognition in Achieving Insight, (Hawaii, 2010), Western Academy of Management Conference

Improving Performance in Solving Insight Problems: The Roles of Assumptions, Barriers and Goals, (Hawaii, 2010), Western Academy of Management Conference

Problem Solving Using Integrated Focus, (Charlottetown, 2009), University of PEI Senior Management Team

Problem Solving and Ethical Decision Making, (Charlottetown, 2009), UPEI Public Service Leadership Development Program

Building Engagement in the Public Service (Charlottetown, 2009), PEI Managers’ Network

Energy Management, (Victoria, 2009) ‘Pacific Women’s Day’ Military Family Resource Centre Conference

Drilling Down the Barriers, (Victoria, 2009), ‘Reason to Hope’ Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinsons’ Centre Conference

Drilling Down on the Barriers to Optimal Health, (Victoria, 2009), LaFayette Quartet Health Awareness Forum

Thinking Outside the Risk: Identifying Barriers and Promoting Insights in Workplace Injury Prevention, (Vancouver, 2009), Northwest Occupational Health Conference

Energy Management: Building a Regenerative Workplace, (Gatineau, QC, 2009), Health Work and Wellness Conference

Unlocking Creative Insight Professional Development Workshop, (Chicago, IL, 2009), Academy of Management Conference

Communicating for Innovation, (Ottawa, 2009), Canadian Communication Association Conference

Energy Management: Building a Regenerative Organization, (Edmonton, 2009), Human Resources Institute of Alberta: Fuelling Change Conference

Unlocking Creative Insight and Overcoming Performance Barriers, (Oakland, 2008), Western Academy of Management Conference Proceedings (Best Doctoral Paper Nomination) (under consideration Journal of Creative Behavior)

Reframing Workplace Injury (Oakland, 2008), Western Academy of Management Conference Proceedings (under consideration Journal of Occupational Health Psychology)

Integrated Focus Professional Development Workshop (2008, Anaheim), Academy of Management Conference

The Power of Focus: Predicting and Overcoming the Barriers to Return to Work, (2008, Oakland) Western Academy of Management Conference Proceedings

Are You Ready? A Sport Model for Organizational Change (2007, Missoula) Western Academy of Management Conference Proceedings (Best Doctoral Paper)

Integrated Focus: Navigating the Cognitive and Emotional Challenges of Change (2007, Missoula) Western Academy of Management Conference Proceedings

Problem Composition (2006, Long Beach) Western Academy of Management Conference Proceedings

Emotional Solving (2006, Long Beach) Western Academy of Management Conference Proceedings

Creative Problem Solving Using the Problem Composition Approach (2006, Chicago) Creative Problem Solving Institute Conference Proceedings

Emotional Solving (2006, Seattle) Pacific Northwest Association for Independent Schools Conference Proceedings

Are You Ready? A Model for Optimizing Sport Performance (2006, Melbourne) Commonwealth International Sport Conference Proceedings

Getting Ready for Change: Leading Sport Organizations (2006, Melbourne) Commonwealth International Sport Conference Proceedings

Are You Ready? Insight and Performance (2006, Victoria) Spin Summit Conference Proceedings

Getting Ready for Change (2005, Honolulu) Academy of Management Conference Proceedings

Getting Ready for Change: Toward a Procedural Model (2005, Las Vegas) Western Academy of Management Conference Proceedings (Best Doctoral Paper)