As a teenager in Calgary, I used to move melting snow around on our yard in the spring so that brown patches of grass got more water. In hindsight I can see that I was trying, against all odds, to usher in the spring faster. It’s a powerful memory. This desire to facilitate transformation, to catalyze vibrancy from dormancy, has been the dominant theme in my life. Like you, I know that humanity is facing great and deep trouble. We realize that the assignment we face is nothing less than re-imagining, re-designing and re-enacting how we are to live, and to do so in unfailing alignment with the ways and laws of nature.
In my work I draw from transformative education theory, social ecology, eco-psychology, values-based leadership, complexity and chaos theory, process-oriented psychology, systems thinking, improvisation, ceremony and authenticity. I also am deeply guided by the feedback and response patterns of tens of thousands of people with whom I have worked and who have allowed me to give my gifts and the pleasure, honor and challenge of being in service. My areas of specialization are masculinity, conflict transformation, facilitation training, rites of passage and improvisational a cappella singing and I have worked in these areas since 1997. I have recently been creating new environmental education programming that responds to climate change by exploring our innate relationship with nature. As well, my work with rites of passage and life stage transition has expanded with new work for adults that utilizes the universal clarifying power of acknowledging death (program descriptions coming soon). I draw massive inspiration from the youth and adults with whom I have worked. Through them I have witnessed the very resilience, creative genius, courage, desire to connect and deep wisdom needed in these times.
I am guest or associate faculty at CityStudio, City University and the Haven, and consult to a wide array of organizations. I also design and deliver my own trainings and courses, and offer process-oriented leadership coaching.
Partner Organizations
CityStudio, City University, House of I (China), Lester Pearson United World College, Naramata Centre, Next Up Leadership,Tatamagouche Centre, The Haven, United World College of the USA.
Professional associations:
Advisory Board with DUDES Club, men's wellness initiative: http://www.dudesclub.ca
Canadian Coordinator for International Men's Day: www.international-mens-day.com
Education Steering Group member at The Haven (2016): http://www.haven.ca
Organizing Team Member, Worldwork 2020 Conference: www.worldwork.org
Education/Awards
M.A. - Process Oriented Facilitation and Conflict Studies (MAPOF), Process Work Institute, USA. The MAPOF Program teaches the competencies of the International Association of Process-Oriented Psychology (IAPOP), the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), and the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
M.Ed. - Social Ecology, with distinction, School of Education Dean's Medal,
University of Western Sydney, Australia
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - Level 1 Somatic Counseling for Trauma Themes
Associate Degree in Music Studies (Jazz) – Vancouver Community College
International Men’s Day L.T. HENRY Award for Men's Studies - from the United States International Men's Day Team
Keynote speaker and/or featured presenter:
- Alley Theatre, #whatnow, 2021
- Gateway Theatre, Straight White Men, 2020
- Alley Theatre, #whatnow, 2019
- Saint Georges Boys School, Vancouver, 2018
- KDocs Film Festival of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 2016
- National Conference on Women in Engineering - Canada, 2013
- 57th Banff Men's Conference - Banff, 2011
- BC Alternate Education Conference - Vancouver, 2010
- Ampersand Conference, McGill University - Montreal, 2009
- Mid-Island Alternate Education Conference - Vancouver Island, 2007
Clients:
- Administrators of Volunteer Resources BC
- Albacete Teachers Association - Spain
- Alley Theatre, Vancouver
- Association of BC Drama Educators
- Banff Men's Conference
- BC Alternative Education Conference
- BC Association of Pregnancy Outreach Providers
- BC Council for International Cooperation
- BC Institute of Technology
- BC Nurses Union
- BC Provincial Youth Workers Conference
- BC School Districts: 8, 22, 23, 27, 36, 42, 43, 44, 52, 58, 60, 61, 70, 74, 87
- BC Teachers' Federation
- BC United Church Youth Ministry Certificate Program
- Beedie School of Business - SImon Fraser University
- Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver
- Burnaby Youth Custody
- Canadian Conference on Dialogue & Deliberation
- Canada World Youth
- Capilano University - Global Stewardship Program, Music Therapy Program
- Caribou Family Enrichment Centre - 100 Mile House, BC
- Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurial Leadership
- Child Abuse Prevention Services Hauraki - New Zealand
- Chor Leoni Men's Choir
- City of Eugene Recreation - USA
- City of Victoria
- Conflict Resolution Network of Canada
- Council of International Schools of the Americas - Costa Rica
- Cowichan Intercultural Society
- Dusty Flowerpot Theatre Company
- EDUCO
- Essentially Men - New Zealand
- Father Involvement Network of BC
- Festival of Voices
- First Nations Health Authority
- Harbourside Co-Housing, Sooke, BC
- House of I - China
- Hollyhock Leadership Institute
- IBM China
- Ignite - Queer Men's Festival
- Immigrant Services Calgary
- I/O Engineering and Design - BC
- Justice Institute of British Columbia
- Kaos Pilot
- Kwadacha First Nation - Fort Ware, BC
- Langara College
- Leading Communities BC - Dawson Creek and Terrace
- Leadership Development - The Banff Centre for the Arts
- Lester B. Pearson United World College
- LOVE - Leave Out Violence - Vancouver
- Man Alive - New Zealand
- McGill University - Montreal
- Methodist Ladies College - Australia
- Nanaimo Men's Resource Centre
- Naramata Centre
- Nelson Community Services
- Next Up Leadership - Calgary, Regina, Vancouver
- Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations
- Northern Society for Domestic Peace
- Open Media
- Oregon Youth Authority - USA
- Orenda - China
- Outward Bound Canada
- p.a.u. Education - Spain
- Pathways to Manhood - Australia & New Zealand
- Power of Hope - USA & Canada
- Professional Development Seminars - New Zealand
- SFU RADIUS Social Innovation Lab - Vancouver
- Samsung - China
- Saltspring Woman Against Violence
- Schwelle 7, Berlin, Germany
- Second Story Women's Centre, Nova Scotia
- Simon Fraser University - Dept. of Developmental Psychology, Graduate Student Society
- Surrey Teachers Association
- Tatamagouche Centre - Nova Scotia
- The Family Centre - Lethbridge, Alberta
- The Haven
- THNK Leadership
- The Natural Step Canada
- Tseshalt First Nation - Port Alberni, BC
- University of British Columbia - Dept. of Counseling Psychology, School of Social Work/Family Studies, Totem Park
Residence, Place Vanier Residence - United World College of the USA - New Mexico, USA
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
- Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival
- Vancouver Native Health Society's Dude's Club
- West Coast Environmental Law
- YMCA Halifax - Immigrant Services