Curriculum Vitae

 Education

Master of Science – Public Policy and Management, University of London, UK, 2013

Certified Municipal Manager / Accredited Municipal Manager, Clerk Treasurer, 1998 – 2002

– Demonstrated the essential and integrated knowledge of organization design and management, legal framework and interpretation, finance, and human resources management

Leadership and Career Progression Courses, Canadian Armed Forces

– Various trade specific and Leadership courses culminating in the Infantry Company Sergeants Major qualification course.

 Governance Experience

College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta – Public Member

• Appointed Board Member to represent the Public & the public good
• Member of the Audit, Finance & Pensions Management Committee
• Provide Governance direction as to the Organizations Ends (Carver Model of Ends & Means)

Town of Norman Wells (NWT) – Chief Administrative Officer:

• Assisted Council in understanding its governance role;
• Built relationships with the Mayor (CEO);
• Provided Policy Advice and Leadership on Key Issues;
• Provided quality advice and guidance to Council on strategic priority-setting;

Calgary Centre for Non-Profit Management – Management Consultant & Coach

• Facilitated Governance and Management Practices;
• Clarified Roles and Objectives;
• Assisted in building Leadership Capacity

Calgary Self Help – Audit & Finance Committee & Director

• Member of the finance and audit committee
• Provided oversight of Budget preparation for Board review and approval

Canadian Red Cross – Provincial Director

• Coached existing governance structures to transition from governance to advisory

Teaching, Mentoring & Coaching Experience

Mount Royal University

• Provide advise & counsel to meet the needs of students and employers

• Lecturer – Assessing & Analysing Risk in Decision Making
• Lecturer – Beyond the Flood, the impact of the 2013 Floods on Non-Profits
• Lecturer – Strategic Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Developer & Lecturer – Emergency & Recovery Management Certificate

University of Calgary

• Lecturer – Nursing & Public Health in Humanitarian Responses

Canadian Armed Forces

• Instructed strategic and tactical leadership:
  • Canadian Forces Leadership Institute
  • Canadian Forces Peace Support Centre
  • Canadian Forces Army Battle School(s)
  • Canadian Forces Combat Training Centre
  • Canadian Forces Staff College
• Instructed skills training:
  • Canadian Forces Army Battle School(s)
  • Canadian Forces Combat Training Centre
  • Local and Unit Level
• Mentored and developed leaders in adult education settings & on-the-job training

Canadian Red Cross

• Developed and delivered:
  • Human and volunteer resource management,
  • Logistics,
  • Leadership in an disaster/emergency setting

Employment Experience

Jul 2013 – Present: Owner & Principle Consultant at PARATUS Education

• Leadership expert
• Author, Speaker, Consultant and Coach, who works with a variety of industries helping companies get the best from their employees.
• Provide outstanding service to keep executives on top of their objectives

2001 – 2013: The Canadian Red Cross

• 2006 – 2013: Director – Alberta Operations
  • Responsible for P&L of $30 million annually
  • Responsible for delivery of humanitarian services to 500,000 Albertans
  • Led 120 staff, 2,000 volunteers and 1,000 service delivery partners
  • Led a Government Relations
  • Led Health related businesses
    • Developed the health strategy for the Canadian Red Cross
    • Provided leadership to first-aid, water-safety, injury-prevention and violence & abuse programs

• 2004 – 2006 Sri Lanka Country Coordinator – tsunami operations
  • Responsible for a P&L of $40M
  • Responsible for building and leading the response to thousands of tsunami-affected people
  • Led government & stakeholder relations in an extremely complex and challenging environment
  • Responsible for:
    • Building 2,000 homes;
    • Rebuilding two regional hospitals & several health centres; and,
    • Developing community based health programs

• 2001– 2004: Director – Disaster, International & Youth Programs in Ontario
  • Save $2,000,000 in operating expenses that resulted in a net fiscal turn around of $3,800,000 at the end of that fiscal year.
  • Led the Red Cross response to SARS I & II and BC Fires Responses
  • Led Red Cross disaster related Public, government and media relations

1998 – 2001: Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Norman Wells, NW

• Responsible for a P&L of $6M
• Restructured a top-heavy bureaucracy of nine directors into four departments
• Implemented significant cost control and budgetary measures
• Maintained a high standard of ethics while dealing with significant labour issues and intricate political situation

1976 – 1998: Company Sergeant Major, Canadian Armed Forces – Army

• Equivalent civilian role as Head Foreman
• Key member of senior leadership team
• Led and served with those men and women in highly intense and dangerous situations