Who Is Julia Menard?

My coaching practice is informed by my extensive background in conflict resolution.  My experience includes over a decade of training & coaching hundreds of professionals to strengthen their communication skills as part of the teaching team at The Centre for Conflict Resolution at The Justice Institute.  I’ve also mediated a wide range of conflict cases – including civil claims, criminal and community disputes.

I've run several community programs involving supervision and management responsibilities.  I have professional certificates in Human Resource Management and Immigrant Settlement Work.  

My coach training includes the Coach Training Institute, Peer Resources, Coach U and The Graduate School of Coaching.  I have completed a Certificate in Coaching from The Graduate School of Coaching - an International Coach Federation approved school, of which I am also a member.

One of my key gifts as a coach is my ability to listen. My clients also appreciate my capacity to track and be present to a complex range of work issues. This particular skill comes from exposure to a wide range of work contexts: for-profit, not-for-profit and government.

I am familiar with the “Myers Briggs” personality assessment tool and with employees using the feedback appraisal tool “360's”.  

I believe in the power of writing, having journalled for 25 years and instructed a course using reflective journaling in learning at Royal Roads University.

The process of “Creative Goal-Setting” (visioning, current reality and action steps) is another area of expertise.  I have delivered workshops based on Robert Fritz's The Path of Least Resistance and studied this process in depth with Bruce Elkin.

As an educator (teaching English in Japan, adult fitness and training volunteers), I experienced the true definition of education: "to lead out."

I have also worked as a publicist, volunteered as a radio reporter, television cameraperson and newspaper writer.  I worked in a multi-ethnic agency running a refugee program, traveled extensively and grew up with stories of faraway lands told to me by my war-displaced immigrant mother.  

These experiences have created a coach who is interested, curious and open about a broad cross-section of people and with whom people feel safe and welcome.

Personally, I have been with my husband for over 20 years, we have a middle-years daughter and a mid-twenties stepson.  As a career professional, I understand the practical realities of balancing complex roles. And I know the importance of having your own cheering section to keep you motivated and focused.

My deepest values are collaboration, contribution, creativity, holistic health and spirituality.

I look forward to the opportunity to support you and your learning!