Heather MacDonald

Extending my managerial responsibilities to the post-secondary level, I conduct research meetings, lead training sessions in Indigenous land-based education, and provide mentorship to research staff. In managing the team, I cultivate a collaborative environment, emphasizing professional development and coordination for maximum project impact. I prepare research-based materials and deliver well-informed recommendations to funders, ensuring the sustained success and enduring impact of the project in the field of Indigenous educational research. This multifaceted approach underscores my commitment to effective project management, research leadership, and the advancement of Indigenous educational initiatives.

In my role as a Youth Outreach Worker, I establishing community trust and served as a mentor and advocate for 'hard to reach' youth and their families. Using a creative and persistent approach, I applied my expertise in positive youth development and community support to enhance outreach efforts. As a key member of an interdisciplinary team, I took a leadership role in Indigenous initiatives, contributed to Street Outreach, and provided support for 2SLGBTQ+ services. These responsibilities complemented my primary focus at the center.

In my role, I supported families facing mental health issues, substance use, family violence, and homelessness. I managed prevention programs for those who experienced violence, focusing on strengths and cultural needs. With indigenous clients in hospitals, I prioritized cultural understanding, acknowledging historical trauma, and involving families in decisions. I also led child welfare and group therapy sessions, fostering a supportive environment for various challenges.

In my capacity as manager, I led a group of Youth Counselors, overseeing daily program planning and conducting workshops on substance abuse and mental health for youth in substance abuse treatment dealing with drugs, alcohol, and solvents. My role included teaching life and social skills during group therapy sessions. I actively engaged in cultural ceremonies to foster healing through cultural connections for Nimkee's Indigenous youth. Additionally, during pandemic closures, I extended support to surrounding Indigenous communities through involvement in school programs, friendship centers, and an elder lodge. In tandem with my broader responsibilities.

I believe that children are competent, capable, natural explorers of their world. My role was a facilitator of learning opportunities in everyday experiences; I was curious alongside the children, and reflective with my colleagues. I continuously worked to deepen my understanding of the culture I created inside my classroom.

I guided and inspired individuals accessing services to achieve their full potential by providing crisis management, skill development, and daily living support in a secure environment. I collaborated with families, medical professionals, and community partners to create and accomplish individual goals through Person-Centered Planning. Additionally, I consistently maintained connections with the Forensic Mental Health System and the Criminal Justice System.

As a supervisor, I managed the planning, production, and oversight of million-dollar financials, ultimately overseeing the delivery of technical manuals for light armored vehicles. In addition to managing substantial budgets, I supervised a technical staff team, setting goals, ensuring timely and budget-conscious completion of work. Furthermore, I took on the responsibility of creating, quantifying, and submitting bids and proposals for external government review, contributing to the company's growth. My role extended to staff development, where I implemented training programs and conducted work assessments and reviews. Through these experiences, I demonstrated a track record of effective leadership and financial management at the one-million-dollar level in a corporate setting.

I supervised a team of 45-50 employees responsible for managing inbound calls, providing customer service, and offering technical support during periods of high call volume. In addition, I conducted thorough call audits, delivered training sessions, and offered mentorship to enhance the overall efficiency and performance of the team.