Speaker Profile

Background and Qualifications

Nicole has a unique background that combines her life experience growing up and  living in the north with her diverse professional experience of more than 30 years as an educator and executive leader within the public service. She has an extensive history as a change leader, equity and inclusion advocate and leadership mentor. Nicole is a confident presenter whether speaking with a large audience of 500+ or in small group setting.

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Nicole began her teaching career in Coquitlam, British Columbia, before the north called her home again. She returned to the land of the midnight sun to work in Whitehorse as a teacher and school counsellor. She then held progressive roles with the Government of the Yukon, including as an educational consultant, Senior Director, Assistant Deputy Minister, and ultimately Deputy Minister of the Department of Education and the Women and Gender Equity Directorate. 

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Education

• Bachelor of Physical Education (1993), University of British Columbia 

• Bachelor of Education (1994), University of British Columbia

• Master of Educational Leadership (2005), University of Calgary

• Post Master’s Certificate in Counselling (2011), University of Calgary

• Postgraduate certificate in Transformative Educational Leadership (2017), University of British Columbia.  

Certifications

• EQ-i 2.0

• EQ 360

• Developing EQ

• Certificate Neuroscience for Business 

• Certified Professional Executive Coach

Memberships

• Alumni member of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (2017-present)

• Alumni member of the C21 CEO Academy of Leaders of Influence in Learning and Innovation (2017-present)

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Publications and Notable Presentations

• Publication: "Never let a good crises go to waste." University of British Columbia Transformative Educational Leadership Journal | ISSUE: Spring 2021

• Presenter (2022): Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference- Yukon Study Group

• Group Presenter (2021): International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement on developing inquiry and the social-emotional elements of leadership during a global pandemic

• Keynote address (2020): C21 CEO Academy Winter Summit "What does reconciliation look like in Canada today?"

• Guest Presenter (2019 cohort): Transformative Educational Leadership Program, University of British Columbia