Our mission
Connection Matters’ approach is inspired by Relationship Systems Coaching ®. We are skilled in helping teams better understand the dynamics, both explicit and nuanced, that define them and their environment. We help teams recognize the behaviours, roles, habits and norms that are embedded in their team and organizational culture. This creates important conversations that lead to positive change.
Our firm was founded so that we could create significant and positive change for organisations, leaders and employees. We come at this work from a passion of seeing organizations work well, where leaders and team members have focus, energy and creativity. Our clients will tell you that we do this by bringing alignment to both the people side of organizations (culture, leadership, teamwork) and business side of organizations (strategy, process improvement, results).
By creating an environment that allows collaboration around a shared vision, people start to take ownership of the results and feel engaged and fulfilled in the process. And, at the end of the day, when you have time to focus on what matters, rather than focusing on putting out fires, the results you produce is incredible.
As System Leadership Consultants, we hold ourselves accountable to uncover and manage what is not usually discussed, or at least not in a productive manner.
Throughout our 30 years’ experience in working with organizations, we have gained trust and credibility from our clients. Our close attention to clients’ expectations and our innovative approach ensure high quality interventions.
Lisa Cormier is an executive coach and leadership trainer living in Ottawa, Canada. She brings over 20 years of experience in management and organizational development. Lisa’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Psychology) and a Master’s degree in Social Work (with a concentration in Administration and Policy). She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (Coaches Training Institute™) and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation. She is certified in three well established 360° Feedback Instruments as well as the Myers Briggs Type Inventory, in addition to having experience with a variety of assessment tools. As an employee of the City of Ottawa, she held various policy and management positions from 1992 to 2001 and her first-hand experience continues to inspire and inform her in her work with other professionals.
Lisa has been working as a group facilitator and executive coach in the area of leadership development since 2002 in both official languages. She has provided facilitation services and one-on-one coaching to hundreds of managers ranging from first time supervisors to the assistant deputy ministers and vice presidents. Drawing on her experience in the four disciplines of psychology, management, organizational development and consulting, she has a superior understanding of complex organizational and human resource issues. She thrives on supporting executives, managers and high-potential leaders who want to leverage their strengths to achieve personal and organizational success, and make an impact on the environment in which they are working.
Suzanne Gagnon is a fully bilingual consultant in system leadership and management. She believes that conflict is a sign that a new paradigm is trying to emerge. Through this process and by creating a safe and non-judgmental environment, she designs and creates a foundation for engagement, leading to higher level of team cohesion, collaboration and stronger performance.
Over her 30 year career as a senior manager in the public sector, she has led strategic and operational transformations involving up to 250 employees. Her practical management experience, facilitation and coaching skills are an integral part of her collaborative approach to integrate lasting system changes. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She is a Certified Executive Coach through Royal Roads University and Team Coach through CRR Global. She is also certified in The Leadership Circle suite of Assessment Tools.
Suzanne has been an Executive Coach for the last 15 years.
James Clemens is an accomplished facilitator and organisational development consultant. He has over fifteen years of professional experience in executive leadership development and organisational effectiveness. Prior to becoming a management consultant, James was a manager of executive leadership programmes in the Public Service of Canada as well as a Senior Policy Advisor providing strategic advice to the most senior levels of government on enterprise-wide change initiatives. James has extensive international and multi-cultural experience developing, leading executives and project teams to produce unprecedented results.
Having played a leadership role as a former member of the Canadian Forces Reserves, James has experience working in both civilian and military environments. His academic background is in education and he has done extensive work in coaching and adult learning. He is a university graduate from Mount Allison University and the University of Ottawa, and holds a Master’s degree from Indiana University. He has also completed the coursework and comprehensive examinations for his Ph.D. in Education at the University of Ottawa.
Alexandra Salamis provides leadership coaching and organizational development consulting services. Alexandra cares about humanising the workplace. She believes that people are foundational for continued organizational success, and that is why she places great emphasis on culture, leadership, collaboration, relationships and interactions.
Changes around the globe are forcing organizations to learn new ways to operate. It is people that make organizations work. Alexandra’s passion is working side-by-side with people and teams to help them become more effective and deliver value. She knows that great solutions create great results when there is commitment, passion, discipline, alignment and courage.
Alexandra has served in numerous leadership and executive positions, senior consultancies and advisory roles. With over 20 years’ experience working with executives, their teams and organizations. She is dedicated to simultaneously renewing leaders and the organizations they lead. She does that by playing an active hands-on role that is connected to an organization’s reality.