LAURA WESLEY

MY STORY

My name is Laura, and my journey has been one of transformation, both personally and professionally. I spent 20 years working as an entrepreneur, change leader, and executive in the federal public service, where I worked across six federal departments, including Global Affairs, Canadian Heritage, and Environment and Climate Change. My work was rooted in a commitment to reconciliation, which I carried into both my personal life and organizational roles. For example, I brought Indigenous voices into the workplace by inviting speakers, hosting conversations and panel discussions, and developing workshops like the KAIROS blanket exercise to raise awareness about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. I also collaborated with Indigenous organizations to provide customized training for public servants to help them better understand and support the reconciliation process.

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As I navigated these roles, I developed a deep curiosity about human nature, how organizations function, and the role of government in society. During this time, I had the privilege of working in a variety of sectors, from global diplomacy to environmental policy, and I became one of the pioneers in user-centered design (UXD) within the Canadian federal government. This work sparked a movement, creating space for these practices to take root across the bureaucracy. I expanded the use of open-source software, advocated for collaborative leadership, and introduced new governance models. Through these efforts, I became a globally recognized leader in public sector service delivery, always striving to create meaningful change.

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However, the turning point in my life came when I began to face the conditioning I had grown up with as a white settler from a rural, conservative fundamentalist home in Nova Scotia. In mid-life, surrounded by a supportive community, I finally felt safe enough to look inward and begin the process of self-reflection. A return to school and a promotion at work catalyzed the start of my personal transformation. I pursued a Master’s degree in Human Systems Intervention at Concordia University, where I gained the language and tools to understand the systems and patterns I had observed throughout my life. It was there that I learned how to design experiences that facilitate deep connections, creativity, and conversation, and how to work with self-organizing groups to harness collective energy and achieve group objectives.

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After two decades in the public service, my life changed drastically after a traumatic event triggered a deep wound that led me to a new journey of self-discovery. The trauma opened up an entry point for me to explore how I could use my strengths and experiences in service of a greater purpose. I followed my heart and moved into an unknown space, unsure of where the path would lead but trusting that it was a necessary part of my healing. Tired of fighting to exist in a world where I didn’t feel I belonged, I let go, allowing the ancestors and the wisdom of the universe to guide me through the waters of recovery.

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When I awoke from this period of deep transformation, I understood the gifts I could bring to any group or community. I felt called to work alongside others who were building a future where all of our descendants can thrive. Now, I partner with individuals, teams, and communities to help them navigate their own journeys into the unknown, using my skills to design experiences that allow people to learn, heal, and grow together. I work with groups to co-develop processes that elicit new skills, tools, and ways of thinking needed to achieve their collective goals. I also facilitate unconventional workshops, team-building events, and strategic planning sessions to help people tap into their full potential.

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Additionally, I support individuals on their reconciliation journeys, including unpacking white privilege and facing the shame of perpetuating white-dominant culture. I help people embody justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in their lives and work, and I assist groups in organizing themselves in ways that are in harmony with the ecosystems in which they operate. One of my passions is co-creating community-based communications campaigns that mobilize movements, empowering people to take action and make lasting change.

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Today, I live and work on unceded Algonquin Territory near Ottawa, Ontario. I hold an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa, as well as a Master’s Certificate in Business Analysis from Carleton University. My work now focuses on designing experiences that foster deep connections, promote healing, and build stronger, more inclusive communities. I am honored to be part of the movement toward a more just and equitable world for all.