I am a skilled presenter and a Reiki Master with training beyond the Masters level in various techniques that enhance healing. My primary focus is on health and overall well-being, working to limit the effect of stress in your life. This is an area that I am very familiar with personally as I have had to work through and develop strategies to deal with stress and its effect on my health. Part of that journey was to recognize that much of the stress I was experiencing, I brought on myself by overextending my commitments to others. Learning to balance work, volunteering and personal time was the key for me to find the balance I was searching for.
I am a 40+ year career executive with a solid history in not-for-profit management at many levels including working with Boards at the grass roots to national levels in executive management positions with leadership responsibility in the areas of management, human resources, communication, community development/engagement, finance/granting, fund development and program planning.
My educational credits include:
- Honours B.A. in Sociology (University of Guelph),
- Masters of Social Work (in organizational development and planning) from Wilfrid Laurier University
- National Certificates in Voluntary Sector & Arts Management (Canadian Centre for Philanthropy and York University),
- 2 Certificates from the Banff Centre in Executive Leadership and Change management,
- Certificate in Leadership from Leadership Peel,
- Ongoing seminar/training courses in senior management, resource development, communications, negotiation, conflict management, speed reading, etc.
- Masters and Beyond Masters training in Reiki (a technique that aids the body in releasing stress and tension by creating deep relaxation. Reiki restores energy balance and vitality by relieving the physical and emotional effects of unreleased stress).
- Certificates in Axiatonal Alignment, Chrystal Healing (powerful 'tune up' of the energy systems associated with the physical body).
- Professional Health & Wellness Coach Training with Certification,
- Diploma in Hypnosis
- Member of the Canadian Reiki Association and the National Guild of Hypnotists.
- Certified Chair Massage Therapist.
I have moved to Hamilton for the next part of my journey. I have two grown children, and three grandsons. I'm a musician playing the French horn a couple of concert bands and a philharmonic orchestra. I strongly believe in volunteering so I tend to get myself involved in all sorts of interesting things. I've been known to work at our local festival events, sit on numerous committees and Boards. I have taught on a part-time basis (Board Governance and Leadership Development and Strategic Planning/Research)) at two local community colleges. Life-long learning is a motto.
I chose to work in the health and social services fields many years ago. As a teen, my summer jobs were as a day camp counselor with children with special needs. I later went on to get my Masters of Social Work degree ultimately working in the field in a planning and development concentrating on program development and capacity building. At this level I was able to indirectly help more people in a lasting way. I believe everyone is naturally creative, resourceful, and whole and with this in mind I am here today to assist you in your quest to be the best you can be. I believe that, with support and guidance, you can become more proficient at addressing the everyday concerns of life by becoming a better observer of yourself, and better problem solver. I will help you specifically identify the key issue areas you wish to work on and assist in the process of making lifestyle changes that will bring peace, wellbeing and overall health into your life.
I have worked diligently to become a better and healthier person today than I was yesterday. Enhancing the quality of one's life by taking steps towards positive change is cause for a pat on the back. Life is a dance to be enjoyed. Let's just say that you are about to have some fun by adding a few new steps to your routine.
Today more than ever, people need to find a new way of using their mind to be healthy, less stressed and to create a world that surrounds them with the people and circumstances that are pleasing to them is exciting. It's like finding that secret passageway that leads to untold treasures.
So what are you waiting for? The Power of You is waiting to be released!
Business
Over 40 years of non-profit leadership experience, working with Boards at the grass roots to national levels in executive management positions with responsibility in the areas of management, human resources, communication, community development/engagement, finance/granting, fund development and program planning.
- Strategic Planning Leader
- Organizational Development Specialist
- Partnerships and Government Relations
- Team Development / Coaching
- Financial Planning / Granting / Budgets
- Educator / Mentoring
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- Senior Level Leadership Expertise
- Community Relationship Management
- Program Development / Networking
- PR / Brand Development / Marketing
- Analysis / Evaluation / Negotiation
- Award Winning Change Facilitator
- Change Management
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EXPERIENCE
Linda was the Executive Director of the Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) for almost 15 years, building MAC into one of the premier arts councils in Canada. She has implemented successful strategic plans, funding plans and team building techniques to create mutual respect and a strong commitment to shared goals; strong belief in the benefits of networking, relationship building and collaboration and created opportunities for collaboration and partnership in a diverse community through sharing information, skills, knowledge, ability and resources.
Linda has been an active member in broader community/provincial initiatives and has been involved in programs such as: Leadership Peel (President), United Way of Peel's Outcome Measurement Project, Community Arts Ontario's Leadership in the Arts: Building Effective Governance program as a regional mentor, Mississauga Board of Trade, Sheridan College/UTM Art & Art History Program: member of the Program Advisory, Tourism Mississauga Board Director, etc.
Linda's past clients include (sample):
ONTARIO HANDWEAVERS & SPINNERS - strategic plan
MEADOWVALE THEATRE ADVISORY BOARD - strategic plan
MISSISSAUGA CHORAL SOCIETY - strategic plan
BOND STREET NURSERY SCHOOL - strategic plan
OYG CONSULTING - research & planning
FRASER CONSULTING & ASSOCIATES - research & planning
GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL - strategic plan
JOSHUA CREEK HERITAGE ART CENTRE - strategic plan
HERITAGE MISSISSAUGA - strategic plan (X4), program evaluation
PEEL MULTICULTURAL COUNCIL - strategic plan, diversification of funding
and more...
In her positions as Executive Director, she worked to better meet the needs of the community being served, and one that is very culturally diverse. Her role included:
- day--to day management of the organization including financial (bookkeeping and report development), providing management and all HR responsibilities for the staff team including evaluations, equipment and facility management, etc.,
- support to the Board of Directors in the development of the annual budget, strategic and business plan development, the review and development of policies, by-laws and procedures for the organization, and ongoing financial health of the organization, compliance requirements,
- working with the Fund Development Manager to pursue other sources of funding (grants, sponsorships, fundraising events, etc.), create unique revenue generation ideas through relationship building, programs and special events,
- preparation of comprehensive reports for internal and external presentation,
- responsibility for multi-site programming, community and municipal collaborations and engagement, communications and marketing (all platforms),
- monitoring of trends and act as an ambassador for the organization.
- Staffed the Grants Committee of the Arts Council (7 yrs). We were responsible for distributing the grants to the artistic community on behalf of the City of Mississauga.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Leadership Development: The Art of Executive Leadership; Change Management - The Banff Centre
Voluntary Sector & Arts Management: Faculty of Administrative Studies, York University
National Certificate in Voluntary Sector & Arts Management: Centre of Philanthropy
Master of Social Work: Community/Organizational Development & Planning: Wilfrid Laurier University
Honours Bachelor of Arts: Sociology: University of Guelph
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