Dr. Bill regularly contributes to workplace mental health research such as Canada Pandemic Pulse Check: COVID-19’s Impact on Canadians’ Mental Health with the Mental Health Commission of Canada; Moving to Action: Implementing the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services’ Mental Harm Prevention Roadmap; and the CSA Group's investigating employers’ practices in response to COVID-19 for safeguarding employees’ psychological health and safety in the workplace. He has 30 years’ clinical experience in mental health and addictive disorders.

Dr. Bill is the former Chief of Research, Workforce Productivity, at The Conference Board of Canada, and the former Chief of Research and Development, Workforce Productivity, at Lifeworks. Dr. Bill has created the senate approved Certificate in Psychologically Safe Leadership and Certificate in Management Essentials, Pathway to Coping and Mental Fitness through the University of New Brunswick. He is the co-creator of the Psychological Health and Safety Facilitator Certificate.

Dr. Bill is a regular contributor and co-authors a blog with the CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada for WSPS Ontario CEO Health and Safety Leadership Network. Dr. Bill has published over 50 books, such as The Globe and Mail bestseller, The Cure for Loneliness, and Stop Hiding and Start Living. He is a regular contributor to Talent Canada, OHS Magazine, and The Chronicle Herald and has published over 350 articles with The Globe and Mail.

CAREER & WORK EXPERIENCE
Howatt HR Consulting (1993-Present), Founder and President
University of New Brunswick (2012-Present), Instructor CEL
Chair of National CSA standard on impairment substance use related (2019-Present)
CSA Group - OHS National steering committee (2019-Present)
International Research Advisory Council (IRAC) at Pacific Coast University of Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS) (2019-Present)
Regular contributor to The Globe Mail (2013-Present)
Regular contributor to the Chronicle Herald (2018-Present)
Regular contributor to Talent Canada (2019-Present)
The Conference Board of Canada (2018-2020), Chief Research and Development Officer, Workforce Productivity
Morneau Shepell (2015-2018), Chief Research and Development Officer, Workforce Productivity

EDUCATION:
BSc, BA., MEd, MSc, PhD, EdD, Post Doctorate Behavioral Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

PASSIONS
Golf, Boating, Bulldogs, and Granddaughter

As a part of his current role, Jesse continues to use his in-depth knowledge of strategic HR, workplace health and wellness, and predictive modelling to support organizations in implementing evidence-based solutions for tangible impacts on key business metrics.

For the last 10+ years, Jesse has worked in the field of corporate health and performance as a senior consultant and National Lead for Morneau Shepell’s Total Health Index (THI) Analytics team, an exercise physiologist for Olympic athletes and business professionals. As the national lead for the THI analytics team Jesse led the development of the THI assessment, employee feedback, reporting and predictive modelling techniques that helped connect and identify key drivers of employee health, engagement and productivity. Along with leading the THI, Jesse was a key contributor to the development of the Employee Recommended Workplace Award.

Jesse is also a contributing author to The Globe and Mail, and white papers with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, The Conference Board of Canada, The HR Reporter and Morneau Shepell. These have a key focus on understanding respect in the workplace, mental health and developing a total health strategy among other topics pertaining to the health, engagement, and productivity of organizations.

CAREER & WORK EXPERIENCE
Howatt HR (2018-Present)
Morneau Shepell (2015-2018) — Senior Consultant and Total Health Index National lead, Health Solutions
Vendura Wellness (2013–2015) — Co-Owner
Adams Exercise Training Programs (2010–2015) — Health and Fitness Consultant
Fusion Halifax (2015–2016) — Director of Health and Wellness
Canadian Sport Center Atlantic (2010–2014) — Strength and Physiology Coach

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION
Dalhousie University — Master of Science, Kinesiology and Exercise Science (2013)
Brock University — Bachelor of Kinesiology (Honours), Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Distinction (2010)

Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley specializes in behaviour change, both to encourage better health in individuals and to create healthier workplaces in organizations. She uses evidence-based practices to provide practical and applicable skills to improve behavioural effectiveness both in the workplace and at home.

Dr. Lee-Baggley has an active research program on behaviour change, obesity, chronic disease, professional resiliency, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Lee-Baggley has close to 40 peer-reviewed publications and over 115 scholarly presentations. In 2017 she was a recipient of the Women of Excellence Award for her contributions to Health, Sport and Wellness (Canadian Progress Club Halifax Cornwallis). She is the author of the book “Healthy Habits Suck: How to get off the couch & live a healthy life…even if you don’t want to.”

CAREER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Dalhousie University/Nova Scotia Health Authority, Behaviour Change Research Institute (2018-Present) — Director
Dalhousie University, Department of Surgery (2017-Present) — Cross Appointed Faculty
Dalhousie University, Department of Family Medicine (2016-Present) — Assistant Professor
Saint Mary’s University, Department of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (2016-present) — Part Time Teaching Appointment
Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (2016-Present) — Clinical Associate
Saint Mary’s University, Department of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (2015-present) — Adjunct Faculty

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION

University of British Columbia — Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology; CPA and APA accredited; 2006)
University of British Columbia — Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology; CPA and APA accredited; 2002)
University of Calgary — Bachelor of Science (Honours, Psychology; 2000)
Association for Contextual Behavioural Science — Peer Reviewed Trainer for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (2018)
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy — Certified Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) Couples Therapist (2017)
Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology —Registered Psychologist (#R0598)

Jennifer is Howatt HR’s Manager of Business Development and Client Success, joining Howatt HR in the summer of 2019. In this role Jennifer is able to blend her 20 years in relationship management and her skill for developing business with her passion for helping people live healthy and fulfilling lives.

She is a skilled strategic project manager with a natural ability to identify potential alignments and partnerships between various stakeholders including, government agencies, non-profits and private sector corporations for the purpose of advancing the project and developing business. She has had the opportunity throughout her career to successfully coordinate projects with many cross-functional teams that included executive leadership, outside suppliers and volunteers. Jennifer identifies hidden opportunities and has a unique ability to develop the appropriate relationships and execute plans to fully realize these opportunities.

CAREER & WORK EXPERIENCE
Howatt HR (2019-Present)
Women’s Brain Health Initiative (2020-Present) - Strategic Partnerships Consultant
Free Range Therapy (2019) - Program Management Consultant
Year of the Mind (2019) - Conference Consultant
TEDxHalifax (2019) - Founder
HealthPartners (2014-2019) - Atlantic Regional Account Manager

EDUCATION
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology - Hospitality Management (2000)

Specializing in psychological health, safety, wellness, and resilience, Daena brings a conscientious approach to client consultation, development, and training. Effectively integrating both individual and organizational health needs with business goals, she leverages strong business acumen and relationship management to deliver strategic solutions.

From 2017 to 2019, Daena led and delivered on a multi-year Healthy Workplace strategy and implementation plan for a municipality with over 18,000 employees. The strategy integrated HR and OHS departments and philosophies to deliver better health outcomes and improve the employee experience. She also secured funding for a preventative and integrated psychological support program for first responders. For this project, Daena earned an award in the safety category for first-responder mental health initiatives.

Having worked in both the private and public sectors, Daena has had the privilege of working with a diverse group of clients including unionized and non-unionized sectors. Consulting on the CSA National Standard for psychological health and safety, since its inception in 2013, Daena adapts new best practices to transform out-dated corporate systems. She believes that if employers take good care of their employees, employees will take care of the organization.

Daena thrives on leader development and training in mental health, resiliency and coping, mental fitness, strategic wellness planning, social connection, crisis management, respectful workplace, inclusion, and mindfulness. As a certified yoga and meditation teacher, Daena brings a holistic perspective to business practices and effectively bridges the corporate and wellness worlds.

CAREER AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Howatt HR (2020-Present)
City of Calgary (2017-2020)
Homewood Health (2013-2017)
PCL Construction (2007-2009)

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION
Lifestyle Meditation (2020)
Queen’s University – Workplace Mental Health Leadership (2018)
University of Calgary – Leadership Strategies for Supporting Workplace Mental Health (2018)
University of Calgary – Psychology (2012)
Grant MacEwan University – Holistic Health (2006)
Southern Alberta Institute of Alberta – Business Administration (2000)

Laura is working as a Strategy Associate for Howatt HR, joining the organization in 2019. In her role, she blends her knowledge of business processes with her interest in mental health in the workplace in order to develop systems within Howatt HR that will refine the organization’s program delivery.

Through her work with HostOften, Laura worked in an operational capacity and managed 20+ employees while developing business processes to scale. Her involvement in social impact projects within Halifax, such as the Halifax Social Network and Global Shapers, has afforded her experience in business development, marketing/communication strategies, and working with various stakeholders to achieve a common goal.

CAREER & WORK EXPERIENCE
Howatt HR (2019-Present)
Halifax Social Network (2018-2019) – Business Development and Communications Lead
Global Shapers Halifax (2018-2019) – Project Management/Recruitment and retention
Canada Games Centre (2019) – Payroll and office administration for aquatic centre
HostOften (2018) – Operations consultant and general manager of affiliate company, Soapy Cleaning Company
Project Explore St.FX (2017-2018) – Co-founder

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION
St. Francis Xavier University – Bachelor of Science, Human Nutrition (2018)
St. Francis Xavier University – Bachelor of Science, Human Kinetics (exchange to Griffith University, Australia in 2015) (2017)

Spencer is working for Howatt HR as a Content Analyst, joining the organization in early 2021. In this role, he incorporates his understanding of business principles and creative design to help develop and refine the growing list of products and services we offer at Howatt HR. Spencer also assists in the development of our social media strategies, research, and client support.

Spencer’s extensive experience in customer services, paired with his education in Commerce have created a passion for supporting individuals and organizations. His past experiences and skills from the food and beverage industry as a guest services manager, and social media coordinator, along with his personal brand and business as a professional photographer help develop Howatt HR’s content and brand as an organization.

Aishwarya joined the Howatt HR team in 2020. She brings her passion, focus, and energy to develop tailored solutions to solve problems using evidence-based management practices. She is also trained to use the human-centered design approach that puts people and empathy at the centre of solutions. Consulting, project management, and social and sustainable entrepreneurship were her areas of focus in the MBA program. As a Junior Advisor, she applies her diverse skills and knowledge to plan projects, conduct data analysis, develop reports, and enable process improvements.

During her MBA, she had the opportunity to work as a service-learning student and consultant for small businesses and non-profits in Halifax. These experiences allowed her to develop her skills in the functional areas of Human Resources, Strategy, Marketing, and Operations. Her work experience as a Quality Assurance Engineer in the IT industry coupled with her strong academic background in business allows her to articulate business requirements through the lens of an engineer and a business consultant.

CAREER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Howatt HR (2020 – Present)
Tata Consultancy Services (2017-2019) – Systems Engineer

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION

Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University - Master of Business Administration (2021)
Anna University (Chennai, India) – Bachelor of Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering (2016)

In her role as a Junior Analyst, Holly applies her knowledge and passion of workplace wellbeing to support the development of client assessment tools, interpretation of data, and development of client reports. She creates communications tools and products to increase awareness of behaviours that promote workplace health and productivity. Holly is currently enrolled in the Honours B.Sc. Psychology program at the University of Ottawa, where she continues to develop her knowledge of psychological health and safety, strategic HR, and organizational behaviour. She has worked in areas of workplace wellbeing and mental health, occupational health and safety, and human resources at Health Canada and Department of National Defence.

CAREER & WORK EXPERIENCE:

Howatt HR (2020-Present)
Department of National Defence (2020)
Health Canada (2019)

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION:

University of Ottawa – Honours Bachelor of Science, Psychology (2018-Present)

Thomas has taken on a position in the Data & IT team as a Data Analyst. He offers direct support in creating analysis tools, building reports, analyzing data. Current projects include the MFI assessment tool and pulse check. Thomas supports the team with a background in IT/Computer systems, data analysis, data collection, research ethics, and project management. He has a good understanding of SQL and is currently learning R to better support in the reporting process. Thomas hopes to bring his wealth of varied work experiences into the Howatt HR workspace to better shape how tools can be developed for a multitude of industries.

Career & Work Experience

Howatt HR - (2021) - Present - Data Analyst
Simon Fraser University (Pivot 2020 research study) - (2020) - Team Member
NTT Data - (2020) - Information Technology Support Specialist