School Roots

An avid learner, I thrived when soaking up diverse information. Arts and sciences were two sides of the same coin to me, and throughout high school, I kept my options open by taking as many classes as I was allowed.

This generalist attitude left me with all the options in the world once I reached graduation, but rather than narrow down my interests, I chose to apply for the anthropology program offered by Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. Their interdisciplinary approach to the study of humanity meant I was taking courses about culture, linguistics, biology, and archeology. I reasoned that even if certain disciplines didn’t appeal as much to me personally, I was still learning foundational information.

Anthropology, an ever-evolving discipline, gave me greater insight into the colonialist context of Canada and the movements to pursue meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island. 

I also chose to broaden my scope by incorporating a minor in psychology, which rounded out my understanding of the human mind and the impacts trauma and fear can have on that mind.  

The two disciplines balanced one another, and I embraced the intricacies and diversity of human existence. I celebrated the resilience and adaptability of communities and individuals. I was fascinated by the various  ways health and well-being were conceptualized not only in different cultures, but by different people. Slowly, my focus shifted away from writing fantasy novels, and into the ways I could apply the concepts and lessons I was learning to fostering community wellness. 

I realized that community health and well-being was my calling. Humans are a social and collaborative species after all, evidenced by years of human and cultural evolution. Additionally, our mental health directly impacts our ability to partake in community and is influenced by our belonging to community. It was important to me to be able to use this knowledge to help improve the lives of others around me, especially through reconciliation. Although, I was hesitant of repeating the mistakes of past academics and professionals. I feared I would enter the healing space of reconciliation in a paternal and condescending way – and because of that fear, I was scared to take on a professional role.  

At the urging of my mentor, I applied and was accepted to the Global Health Specialization within the Master of Public Health program offered by the University of Alberta in Edmonton. This course-based program, rather than leading me into research, taught me how to apply statistical analyses, cost-benefit analyses, evaluation skills, and how  to speak to community populations about their health. I also learned how larger systems, our environments, and our economy can have a direct impact on our health and well-being. Most importantly to me, I was given further insight into how I could move into reconciliation in the health space in a good way, how to listen to the stories and needs of others, and how to apply sensitivity and awareness to any populations I may work with. 

Throughout my studies, a vision had begun to form, hard to place in the fog of time. I always knew I was in the right place, learning the right things, but where was it leading me? That destination – that goal – seemed just out of reach. The knowledge I’d been building was inspiring, and it seemed like a pity that it wasn’t being applied in meaningful ways to existing communities.

It was evident that well-being and public health were much more complex than I could have dreamed. Much like anthropology, public health didn’t exactly narrow down my potential career choices. 

Luckily, I was also on a coexisting professional journey that was informing the career choices I made at each step. 

It Was Never "Just a Job"

I worked throughout my post-secondary career. Mostly in summer internships I was fortunate to secure, in roles that always mirrored my academic interests at the time.  

Whether I worked within my hometown’s early childhood development non-profit, assisting the research department at the Calgary Counselling Center, or supporting my town’s resource network, I found myself repeatedly drawn back to health and community. Even my short stint as an office assistant for a local crop spraying company refined my interest in rural communities. 

I found I easily tired of jobs that didn’t resonate with my passions. Rather, I craved a sense of community and meaning in the work I did. 

One year into my public health degree, I secured a position with a small company called Resilient Rurals. Their lens was quantitatively smaller than many of my previous positions, with their focus on small and rural Albertan communities, but their impact was much larger . They sought to promote rural resilience in the face of climate stressors, such as extreme heat, wildfire, drought, and flood. 

In this role, I learned how to approach divisive topics, how to share the scientific basis for certain decisions, and how important small communities were to my roots and values. I also saw, firsthand, how grassroots movements can make an immense difference in the communities they serve – even if they are tackling big issues. 

On the other hand, something felt stuck. 

In pre-defined roles, despite being given amazing opportunities to learn and hone my skills, the responsibilities given to me never quite aligned with the vision I saw for myself when studying. A dissonance lingered that made me wonder if maybe I had taken the wrong path after all. There were times when I wished I had gone into a field or discipline lined with direction and ready-made answers.

I was immensely fortunate to be mentored by my boss, Jill Yanch, who saw in me the energy needed to thrive in the consulting space. She invited me to assist her on several projects, including some projects working with Indigenous Nations in Central Alberta. I learned to adjust my pace to the need for Protocol and Relationship-Building required when working with Indigenous communities. 

In that, I also began to recognize that the pace I’d kept was not even natural to myself. The dissonance I’d been feeling didn’t mean I was following the wrong path, but that I needed to move to a different beat. Consulting was an opportunity to weave my own story around the knowledge I’d been gathering, and to meet clients where they are at without the boxes I’d felt around me in previous roles. 

While I’d honoured my academic and professional journeys, my personal journey felt like it was only getting started.

Personal Rhythm and Rooting in Confidence

While I had a lifelong love of writing and passion for contributing to healing communities, I struggled to be seen as an authority on this journey. The transition from student to professional is not necessarily an easy one, and for me it was no exception. 

I had struggled to balance taking care of my own well-being with the work I was doing to achieve credentials. Burnout was closely followed by apathy. When those credentials were obtained, I felt like I was falling through thin air. 

Who was I if I was not a student? Who would I be without the safety net of a job?

Stepping into creating my own business and using my authentic voice has been the climax of my life journey thus far. I have ranged from anxious to terrified as I’ve started to share my journey. Starting Vibrant Systems, just over a year ago in the spring of 2024, has introduced me to contracts, projects, and skills that bring to life with excitement, passion, and commitment.

Unlike previous roles I’ve held, consulting has given me the flexibility and freedom to expand into my authentic self. Rooting into my authenticity is my only path forward.

My authenticity, alongside many difficult personal decisions, required that I understood my values on a deeply intimate level. I have had to push up against my limiting beliefs and still find myself expanding beyond what I would have expected a week ago. I have had to weather the uncertainties of waiting for contracts, and dive into unknown waters of marketing myself and my services. 

One of the most beautiful parts of this process has been recognizing how important it is to me to show up as a lifelong student. Being open to the process of learning is critical, even as I recognize the knowledge I have and the wisdom I’ve developed through my personal growth. On this path, I have found that concepts, like systems thinking, regenerative permaculture, and storytelling are inherent in personal growth and development. All the years I’d spent inside classrooms and board rooms had also taught me how to show myself grace, push myself towards resilience, and trust in the plans I was making. All the lessons I have learned from Cree and Blackfoot neighbours has shaped the way I understand my own physical health, mental wellness, and spirituality.  

Integrating all aspects of myself makes my approach to consulting wholly unique to me, just as each one of us is wholly unique when all of our aspects are recognized and celebrated. The diverse experiences and influences of my journey have rooted my consulting in a purpose much larger than myself. As much as my journey has been one of self-discovery it is also a pathway we can all walk on with a little guidance.

Growth, community, health and environment, intense respect for others and the diversity of experience they bring forward, and my ultimate passion for creativity and the work I do is essential for the fabric of my being. It is also critical to the work I do for my clients each day. 

I had to learn to show up for myself in authenticity, so I can show up for you with grounded integrity. By rooting confidently into my own values, I stand apart as a guide to help you navigate the uncertainty of the systems we all live in. 

And we can navigate them when we understand where we are navigating from.

A Vibrant New Chapter

My company, Vibrant Systems, is a culmination of academic, professional, and personal growth over the past decade. I would not be in this space if one of those paths faltered along the way, and I know now that this was the destination of my journey all along. My interdisciplinary background plays a fundamental role in how I lead myself and others through the complex and uncertain challenges we are facing. 

It is because of the chaos I have overcome, the openness of my learning, and the commitment to community well-being that I took the leap into consulting. Grounded in all parts of myself, I know we have communities in our cities, towns, workplaces, and neighbourhoods. I also know how important thriving communities are to supporting our individual health. 

We can all be leaders if we recognize that the path forward, for all of us, is the path we take together. 

Our diversity, our unique experiences and perspectives, and our visions are all critical to shaping a future that supports the well-being of whole communities. While we naturally will differ in some priorities and choices, Vibrant Systems is built on the tools and knowledge we need to integrate those differences in a collaborative and community-focused way. 

I am telling my story – sharing my journey – because I want to be a part of yours. It may not be straightforward. There will be walls we have to navigate around or push up against. The only constant to the world around us is uncertainty and change. But, like me, the place we are going will take your breath away. 

Let’s make your story a vibrant one.