Who's that Leader in the Mirror?: Recent Episodes
Sharon Blanchard
Welcome to Who’s that Leader in the Mirror. For over 30 years, I've dabbled in the leadership field culminating in a search for the perfect leadership philosophy through a doctorate in leadership… but as I like to say… I am still growing up and have so much to learn. Because I live in a remote area of the world I’ve decided to make this podcast a shared classroom where we’ll take a deep dive into leadership. How being authentic doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a better leader. I’ll have conversations around identity, ego, humility, being courageous and value-centered leadership. I’ll be chatting with leaders who understand that who they are, their identity, sense of self, values, and beliefs are integral to their leadership. Leaders who want to become a better version of themselves and realize that the need to reconcile who they are, is the golden key to living their leadership approach authentically. I have cast a wide net of friends and colleagues … those I have worked and volunteered with and have a tremendous amount of awe and respect for. So, who’s that leader in the mirror, you may ask? Well, join me on this wee journey, and let's find out.
Who's that Leader in the Mirror? This week I am so excited to share my conversation with Dr. Shelley Ann Scott andher insights on leadership in higher education. We discuss problematic leadership and the negative impact of neoliberalism in creating constructive and deconstructive leadership in higher education … the challenges, do’s, and taboos … and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Make sure to tune in!
So, who is Dr. Shelley Ann Scott?
Shelleyann is a Professor in Leadership, Policy & Governance specialisation in the Werklund School of Education. She has held numerous leadership roles within the university context including most recently the Associate Dean, Professional and Community Engagement, and Director of Graduate Programs at the University of Calgary.
Prior to joining the University of Calgary in 2007, Shelley was the Director and Coordinator of Teaching and Learning at Curtin University's Business School, the largest business school in Australia at that time.
Shelley has experience in education, government, and business contexts. Her work experience encompasses leadership in an education district office, high school teaching, medical technology, and business consultancy. She has extensive experience as a professional developer and a quality assurance auditor in: Australia, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
Dr. Scott is a member of the Canadian Society for Studies in Education, Canadian Association for Studies in Educational Administration,andserved as Vice President, President, and Past President of CASEA. Her memberships have also included American Educational Research Association (AERA), and the British Educational Leadership Management and Administration Society, (BELMAS).
Producer: Matt Gunn
https://www.principledleadership.org.nz/
In this episode, we are joined by Augy Jones, another long-time friend transforming cultures and organizations one soul at a time, through Empathise Others, a globally inclusive lens platform encouraging authentic empathy methods.
Augy shares the challenges of being the funkier of board rooms, the need to understand the over-politicization of diversity … to accept “otherness”, and being uniquely you. Wow. There’s so much packed into this episode that you won’t want to miss it.
So, who is Augy Jones?
Augy Jones is currently the Principal at NSCC's Akerley campus in Dartmouth. Previously, he was the Executive Lead of Inclusive Education within the Nova Scotia Department of Education and the Director of the African Canadian Services Branch at the same Department of Education. Prior to his move back to his hometown, Augy was the Manager of Student Experience at St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Augy would center himself as a person of African ancestry, an educator, a coach, a father, a husband, and a privileged male. He has conducted numerous professional development sessions that facilitate conversations around the intersectionality of race, class, ability, and gender in society. This is with a particular focus on historical marginalization, power & privilege, and the need to empathize others as a positive way forward for our modern-day social interactions. Augy was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1968. His full name, Agassou, translates to ‘black panther’. His parents are award-winning civil rights activists Rocky and Joan Jones. Augy grew up in a household that was full of conversation, food, self-confidence, and community. Augy would go on to attend StFX University where he played 5 years of varsity basketball and was recognized as an academic All-Canadian. He graduated with two degrees; a Bachelor of Arts in poetry and a Bachelor of Education in English Language Arts. He would utilize his teaching degree as a high school English teacher for 20+ years throughout Nova Scotia and the Caribbean. Augy created the Empathize Others platform (Instagram, Twitter, Blogs, and Podcasts) in 2018. The goal was to share thoughts and perspectives that focus on a modern-day, globally inclusive lens. In short, what work do we all have to do individually to increase our ability to ‘empathize others.’
Producer: the fab Matt Gunn ... again!
https://www.principledleadership.org.nz/
In this episode, I am joined by long-time friend Myrna Gillis. I have always been in awe of this incredible dynamo. Her leadership, ingenuity, intelligence, and entrepreneurial spirit are par-none. This lawyer-turned-advocate is a champion for changing the cannabis landscape and she says she's shy! Oh my! Tune in for more.
**So who is Myrna Gillis?
Myrna is the CEO and co-founder of Aqualitas,** a vertically integrated multi-cannabis license holder and producer of organically grown cannabis and value-added products distributed domestically and internationally.
She is a disability advocate and practiced law in the vulnerable services sector for 25 years before joining the cannabis industry in 2014. Motivated by a desire to promote access to medical cannabis, through research, innovation, and sustainability she has led her team to highlights including Grow Up’s 2022 Cannabis Cup 1st Place flower, ADCann Best Social Good Campaign, a Sustainable Technology Award, Canada’s 2020 Grower of the Year, a Spark Innovation Award, and Clean Tech Energy Award for cultivation, as well 16 provincial and federal research grants.
Myrna received her Kings Counsel designation for excellence and integrity in the practice of law and was a business leader bronze award winner in 2019. She is the chair of the Scotia Cannabis Alliance, a board member of the Cannabis Council of Canada, and a board advisor for the Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation. She has volunteered and served on boards for various disabilities and social justice organizations over the last 30 years.
Producer: the fab Matt Gunn
https://www.principledleadership.org.nz/
In this episode, we talk about IDD Imagination Deficit Disorder and the confluence of leadership and love as an influence. I truly believe that Fr. James is uniquely an authentic transformational leader and I use these adjectives together very purposefully. We like to call him Fr. Jon Bon Jovi - tune in and you'll find out why! There's soooo many gems in this episode.
So, who is Fr. James Mallon?
Fr. James is the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and founder of the Divine Renovation ministry.
Fr. James is also the author of the best-selling book Divine Renovation: From A Maintenance to a Missional Parish, an engaging guide for parishes seeking to cultivate vibrant and dynamic faith communities centered on missionary discipleship. In 2016, Fr. James also authored the Divine Renovation Guidebook, a step-by-step manual for transforming a parish. The message of Divine Renovation has resonated in the hearts of tens of thousands of pastors and the laity throughout the world. It has inspired and motivated them to act and seek help in transforming their own faith community. To answer their needs, the Divine Renovation Ministry was created.
In 2019, Fr. James co-authored the book, Unlocking Your Parish with Ron Huntley an inspiring and practical read on Alpha as a powerful tool for evangelization and discipleship. Fr. James' latest book, Beyond the Parish,released in April 2020 offers a thought-provoking analysis of the challenges the church faces along with the practical tools that will support parish and diocesan leaders in bringing about parish renewal.
Released in the fall of 2022, Thriving Faith, is Fr. James' newest book. This publication was created from a number of homilies that he gave at Our Lady of Guadalupe in its first year. Written for the people in the pews, it shares wonderful reflections and vision for a different way of being Church.
He currently resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In addition to his ministry, Fr. James loves soccer, movies, photography, dogs, everything Apple and good single malt scotch.
For more information on this wonderful human being:
https://frjamesmallon.com
https://www.principledleadership.org.nz/
In this conversation, we talk all "growed" up about leadership. Barb is my spirit guide, my cultural compass, and my rock. With the wisdom of a sage and the energy of a thousand energizer bunnies, she's transformed campus cultures and bazillions of lives. Tune in and meet the humble, the magnificent, and the brilliant, Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch.
BIO
Dr. Hamilton-Hinch is the Associate Vice President of Equity and Inclusion and an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her work examines the impact of structural, systemic, and institutional racism on diverse populations, particularly people of African descent.
Barb is the Healthy Populations Institute Flagship Project co-lead, Improving the Health Outcomes of People of African Descent, one of the founders of the IMhotep Legacy Academy, co-chair of the Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS) Program, and co-chair of the Faculty of Health Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Barb is from the historical African Nova Scotian communities of Beechville and Cherrybrook and is the mother of three wonderful young men.
https://www.principledleadership.org.nz/
From the rugby pitch to the boardroom, John shares his leadership approach, the challenges of his move from corporate business into private practice just before the pandemic hit, and how he navigated through the 'business to no business environment'. This history buff ascribes to a leadership approach where you’re unwilling to quit, confident in your ability, recognize when you make mistakes, and, if you may be a bit quirky and odd, that's totally cool! He's the real deal and a legend. I'm thrilled to share his leadership insights with you. It's a wee bit long, but we found it simply tooo hard to cut anything out!
So, who is John Simon?
John is an experienced business professional operating in both multinational organizations and entrepreneurial start-up businesses.
His work experience covers a wide range of industries including travel, telecommunications, energy, government, and healthcare.
His business and technology background has allowed him to build and manage teams in the development of new businesses, delivering new customer solutions, and defining and implementing new corporate strategies.
I’ve known this great man since 1986 when we became friends at university and have remained friends and colleagues since then.
Producer: the fabulous Matt Gunn
https://www.principledleadership.org.nz/
Meet the spectacular, humble, inspiring natural leader, Joanna Alphonso.
In our inaugural episode, Jo shares insights on how she has navigated through challenging experiences as a black female, student/athletic leader, supporting her parents and family through illness. She's a coach, an educator and a trailblazer.
Jo shares the beauty of leading through grace and I can't wait to share her story with you!
A wee caveat - this is my first episode and we're working through a few sound/volume bits!
Sharon