MY CORE VALUES
Believe in yourself
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt, U.S. First Lady, Diplomat, Human Rights Activist
Show kindness
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Dr. Leo Buscaglia, Professor, Author
Give encouragement
Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.
Buddha
Maintain honesty
DWYSYWD
Do What You Say You Will Do
Share your appreciation
You bring out the best in yourself by looking for the best in others.
Gene Bedley, National Educator of the Year
Build your dreams
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
Arthur Ashe, Grand Slam Tennis Player
Live with intention
We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.
Swami Vivekananda, Indian Hindu monk
Naida Culshaw
I am curious by nature. I particularly enjoy exploring the underlying assumptions and perspectives in a situation, finding beauty in complexity and building on the strength of collaborative communities and teams.
As a facilitator and developmental coach, I take you on journey of learning and unlearning, gaining a greater capacity to act and lead through complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity. By better understanding the scope of your own influence - and of your team(s) - you can shift the focus from reactive problem solving to co-creating the future; developing your/their own intrinsic aspirations and directives.
As a university lecturer, I create learning environments that promote critical reflection, growth, and stretch-thinking. Not only do I explore the subject(s) at hand, but I actively make connections to the students' varied experiences and perspectives. Whether it's the dynamics of working in multicultural teams, exploring the role of a social entrepreneur, or (re)defining the characteristics of a 21st century leader.
As a community alchemist, I map the complex relationships, communication streams, energy flows and issues - both visible and invisible. By identifying who is – and who should be – at the table, you can ensure equity of access and diversity of thought from multiple fields, geographies, backgrounds, and experience.
It is here where I practice, in the classroom, in the meeting room, and in the community circle. Read more about my approach and discover my views on the importance of our legacies in my 2018 TEDxGEM talk "Lessons from our “pre-modern” selves".
MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Seven years in a Silicon-Valley advertising agency (account management/ media planning/ campaign development). Five years in a non-profit technology museum (marketing/ promotions/ program development). Two years as President of a Paris-based Anglophone association (strategic planning/ finance/ operational oversight/ conference chair). Four years as External Relations Manager at the American Library in Paris (community engagement/ volunteer management/ organizational development/ exhibit curation and design). Twelve years as an English-language business skills trainer for university students as well as IT Consultants, Project Managers, Executive Management, Human Resource, and Sales professionals (intensive workshops/ small group and one-to-one sessions). Six years developing and facilitating university-level courses as a part-time and permanent lecturer. Ten years - and counting - as a facilitator and developmental coach for professional and personal projects (small groups, teams and individuals) based in France.
I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations (minor in Business Administration), as well as a Masters degree in Museum Studies, specializing in non-profit administration (leadership issues, business strategy development, finance, fundraising, project management, organizational management and marketing).
Doctorate of Business Administration candidate at Grenoble Ecole de Management, Fall 2021 cohort.
Research focus: the influence of Indigenous worldviews on entrepreneurial identity, with extended interests in Indigenous entrepreneurship, as well as how the infusion of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous and local knowledge systems (ILK) can inform innovative solutions for our present and future challenges.
BUSINESS SENSE TRAINING - facilitation, coaching, and business skills training