Betsy Thomas

Experience

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  Bummis Cloth Diapering

  Jan 1988 - Jan 2015

  Founder and CEO

  I gained foundational knowledge in leadership and business management in my role as CEO of Bummis for 3 decades. Bummis was a respected & ethical business model that manufactured and distributed sustainably made products to retailers and distributors all over the world, as well as retailing locally in Quebec.An early ambassador of social enterprise and healthy organizational development practices, I learned to lead teams by empowering them to exercise autonomy and by shaping a strong culture of communication & collaboration.Across our operations in both Canada & the US, the scope of my role included:• Hiring and coaching diverse teams • Designing manufacturing, warehousing and retail locations • Developing strong relationships with industry stakeholders• Staying on top of and responding to new opportunities, challenges & trends • Continuous improvement methodologies for business processes A strong believer in the value of community, I also contributed on a larger scale: ✅ Served on the Board of the Independent Retail Advisory of the Retail Council of Canada✅ Inducted into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame (2012)✅ Founded 2 associations (US & Canada) supporting the use of re-usable cloth diapers Show less

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  COPA (Centre ontarien de prevention des agressions)

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2024

  Consultant

  I worked with COPA National as an internal consultant on a part-time basis as they shifted and expanded to a national organization and helped them imagine a new social enterprise model. I have produced content, created and maintained the website, led communications projects, and carried out long-term and strategic planning.

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  Betsy Thomas Coaching

  Jan 2019 - now

  Coach & Consultant

  Helping people access insights and solutions, and empower meaningful change in their lives through the magic of coaching. I offer deep presence, active listening, and a supportive framework.

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  Concordia University

  Sept 2019 - Aug 2021

  Research Assistant

  During my studies, I was involved in a few research projects in collaboration with professors. ① A coaching research project, a collaboration with a team of 3 researchers to study what it is that coaches do in coaching sessions.We worked under the guidance of Dr. Jim Gavin, a psychologist, master coach, business therapist, process consultant, and professor in the Human Systems Intervention master's program. This involved:• Assessing 150 coaching transcripts to code the recorded data • Analyzing parameters relating to the types of inquiries• Preparing findings• Presenting virtually at the 2021 International Coaching Federation (ICF) Conference② Two other projects I worked on were related to LGBTQIA2+ issues in Indigenous Communities in Québec, under the guidance of Dr. Gilbert Émond, a researcher, statistician and expert on HIV and AIDS issues, the gay community (homophobia, violence, etc.). Show less

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  Fractal Facilitation

  Mar 2023 - now

  Co-Founder

  Fractal Facilitation offers coaching, facilitation, process design, workshops and custom training to organizations to explore ways of working inspired by and aligned to, living systems.