That's right, my journey to discovering the importance of creativity at work started in a high stakes animal ER, often while dodging teeth (and the animals were tough too! Ba-dum-dum).

From Dodging Teeth to Corporate Boardrooms
For over 25 years, I worked as a locum tenens veterinarian, dropping into hundreds of different clinics worldwide. In these high-stakes environments, I had to build trust and lead new teams in minutes, not months. This experience, combined with roles as an entrepreneur and a research scientist, taught me a fundamental truth: the most adaptable teams are the most successful.

I learned how to foster psychological safety on the fly, leverage unique individual skills to solve complex problems, and keep teams moving forward—even when the stakes were life-and-death.

The Big Discovery: Creativity is a Survival Skill, Not an Art Class
Along the way, I wrote a book, published in medical journals, and managed wildlife rehabilitation programs. I even spent time in a Fortune 50 company—mastering the art of giving interesting presentations on boring material—and took the stage to perform stand-up comedy.

I saw the same pattern everywhere: the core principles that help a veterinary team navigate a crisis are the same ones that help a corporate team innovate. It’s not about being "artistic." It's about developing the courage to be curious, the resilience to embrace ambiguity, and the tools to solve problems in new ways. This is the common thread that drives successful outcomes, whether you're in a complex surgical case or a jungle in Thailand.

How I Help Your Team Thrive Through Change
My keynotes and workshops are designed to be fun, interactive, and packed with practical, evidence-based strategies. I don't just talk about creativity; I give your team the tools to build it. Together, we will focus on:

Everyday Innovation: Discover how to find novel solutions to your most chronic problems.
Resilient, Change-Ready Teams: Equip your leaders and staff with the confidence to navigate uncertainty with courage.
Engagement & Well-being: Foster a positive workplace culture where people feel safe to speak up, contribute their best ideas, and take smart risks.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: Learn why leaders instinctively avoid creative ideas and how your team can react with data—not just emotion—to champion game-changing solutions.
The Official Stuff
I hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the Ontario Veterinary College and a Certificate of Professional Management from the University of Calgary. I am a certified Level 2 Creative Problem Solving facilitator and an accredited IAM Ambiguity Assessment facilitator. My greatest lessons in adaptability, however, have come from 16 months of solo world travel and parenting two teenagers.

Based in Calgary, Alberta, I deliver keynotes and workshops across Canada and internationally.

If you're ready to energize your next event with insights that inspire real action, I might be just what the doctor ordered.