Catherine North, President
Catherine North is passionate about making a difference. Inspired by her own lived experience, Catherine’s professional practice integrates essential competencies to cultivate resilient, high performing leaders and teams.
Honouring her clients’ lived and learned experiences, Catherine blends her appreciation for collaboration, engagement, growth and improvement into her approach as a personal and organizational development coach and consultant.
Catherine has been an active member of BCODN since 2018. In 2019, she participated as a volunteer consultant with BCODN’s Building Community Organization (BCO). Following that experience, Catherine joined the BCO organizing committee. Catherine joined the BCODN Board in 2022 as BCO Liaison, and has served as President since 2023.
Catherine holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Development and Leadership from Fielding Graduate University, and is an Associate Certified Coach with International Coaching Federation.
Jim Brosseau, Treasurer (Business Development & Finance Committee)
Jim is a well-respected speaker, facilitator, educator and thought leader in his field. For over 25 years he has facilitated engaging in-depth workshops, both online and in-person. These focus on the human side of teamwork and collaboration, concepts that are finally being recognized in PM circles. He also provides consulting and coaching on organizational strategy and team engagement.
Jim is passionate about crafting cultures that foster collaboration, inclusion, and creativity. These are the seeds that are sown to generate amazing results in corporate excellence and personal fulfillment.
Jim has volunteered with Crisis Centre of BC and the Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby. He is the author of Software Teamwork: Taking Ownership for Success and Jounce!: Crafting a Resilient Life in an Increasingly Chaotic World. For over 20 years he has maintained his PMP designation and is a Certified Facilitator for the Strength Deployment Inventory.
Jim joins the BCODN Board to promote integrating OD and PM practices as a more complete system to drive effective organizations.
Joe Bickson, Secretary (Business Development & Finance Comittee)
Joe is an experienced management consultant with demonstrated expertise in mobilizing complex initiatives to deliver strategic value. His work is characterized by a flexible and hands-on style in bringing new operating models, empowering leadership capabilities, and guiding cultural initiatives to build sustained, long-term value.
Joe has partnered with people at all levels of organizations—from board-level to the front-line— across a wide array of sectors, including Industrial Gas and Engineering, Steel Distribution, Architecture, Banking, Apparel, Shipping, Online Education, Finance, Non-Profit.
Joe has a background in entrepreneurship and sustainability. He began his career at InstituteB, a startup incubator in the space of for-profit social impact benefit corporations. He has started his own venture, developing solutions for municipal waste management in Vancouver Canada. In his free time, Joe volunteers his time to support non-profit organizations, some of which are focused on mental health and addictions in Canada.
Elizabeth Morris, Communications Lead (Communications & BCO Committees)
I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a board member for the BCODN. With extensive experience in public sector leadership and management, I hold a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Human Behavior and a Postgraduate Certificate in Organizational Development. My expertise encompasses HR Management, Change Management, Workplace Conflict Resolution, and the integration of Emotional Intelligence in leadership. This strong foundation enables me to effectively drive organizational success and navigate complex challenges. My goal is to help organizations discover strength and community inside their differences and in turn, reimagine a better future.
Dr. E. Ruth Anaya, Member at Large (Partnerships & Program Development Committee)
Dr. E. Ruth Anaya is a university professor teaching in Canada’s largest graduate (M.A.) leadership program. Her specialization is on global leadership, intercultural communication, and management in multicultural contexts and international settings. She applies organizational principles and practices to diverse professions, specifically to business, education, and healthcare. Ruth is also a practitioner in international community development (projects and programs), an author, and a researcher of socio-cultural leadership. Her Global Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Effectiveness Research Program (GLOBE) research qualifications aid her in identifying business strategies which are uniquely effective in particular cultures and countries.
Laura Cheah, Partnerships Lead (Partnerships & Program Development Committee)
Laura is an experienced Training and Development professional with a passion for giving back to the community by helping people realize their potential and achieve success. With a background in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, I have consulted and facilitated workshops for teams on organizational development. I am committed to guiding clients in achieving their goals by fostering self-awareness and overcoming resistance to change. I am also excited about exploring innovation and unlocking potential within each unique business vision.
Karla Carreño , Member at Large (Partnerships & Program Development Committee)
Karla Carreño is dedicated to transforming the way we engage with others. Her background in project management, organizational culture transitions, and extensive volunteer work enables her to navigate complex organizational challenges with ease.
Karla’s journey into organizational development is driven by a deep passion for learning and a commitment to helping others grow. Her nearly decade-long volunteer experience includes significant contributions to initiatives aimed at improving communication and teamwork in educational spaces. Serving on the board of a non-profit organization for almost three years has provided Karla with valuable insights into organizational leadership and collaboration, which align well with her current role at BCODN.
Karla holds a Master of Science in Engineering and is currently pursuing her PMP© certification. Beyond her professional and volunteer commitments, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and exploring the beautiful trails around Vancouver. Karla also has a passion for drawing and painting, which she often indulges in during her downtime, accompanied by her dog, Leon.
Savar Kaur, Program Development Lead (Partnerships & Program Development Committee)
Savar Kaur is dedicated to enhancing the employee experience and believes that people are the greatest asset of any organization. Savar’s passion for Organizational Development (OD) has driven her to pursue a career in this field, and she finds it a privilege to be part of the force that empowers people and fosters positive cultural practices within the workplace.
With over half a decade of experience in various People & Culture roles and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Savar’s approach to her work is anchored in her three most significant strengths: being restorative, leading with ideation, and maintaining a futuristic mindset. She tackles challenges with a solution-focused attitude, working to restore balance within systems and ensuring the implementation of innovative ideas with a forward-thinking perspective.
As a dedicated member of the Board, Savar is committed to highlighting the importance of OD, advocating for its value, and promoting collaboration and growth within the OD community.
Patience Cox, Member at Large (BCO Committee)
Patience Cox is a results-focused Leader and Educator with extensive experience working with/within Indigenous communities, developing/facilitating a diverse range of multi-level curriculums and Human Resource Management. Expertise in organizational/community development, change/project/program management, negotiating, coaching/mentoring, relationship building and legislation/policies/procedures.
As an educator, Patience has researched, designed, delivered and advocated for learning that focuses on experiential, relevant learning. She believes that people learn and retain that learning when they have an opportunity to link new learning to something they already know, or apply that learning to their own situation.
Patience lives her philosophy of lifelong learning, with academic learning, M.Ed. (Leadership), B.Ed. (Curriculum & Instruction), B.A (Geography), and an Instructional Design Diploma. She also believes strongly in lived learning, reaching out to Elders, to community members, to students and colleagues for conversation, challenges and stories.
All BCODN Officers and Directors can be reached by email: info@bcodn.org