Sharleen Sutherland, R. Psych. N.

Sharleen Sutherland is an expert in community economic development and in organizational change. She has been operating as an independent consultant for the last several years, after having been employed by the federal government for over two decades. (Prior to this, Sharleen trained and practiced as a psychiatric nurse.)

Sharleen has worked with CS/RESORS for a number of years on a project-by-project basis both within the government context and now as a consultant. As a specialist in community economic development, Sharleen works with regional economic development commissions, and community groups such as Community Futures to carry out strategic planning, develop operational structures and to prepare human resource management policies and procedures. She works with organizations in a highly collaborative manner to develop their business plans, prepare market and feasibility studies and implement all of these. She also engages in Board development activities, including training, trouble-shooting, and change management.

Because of her extensive experience in the federal government, in Human Resources Development Canada and Western Diversification, Sharleen is extremely knowledgeable about governmental programming and its relationship to public policy. She also understands the nuts and bolts of program delivery, monitoring, and outcome measurement.

Sharleen's work often takes her to the farther reaches of Canada. She has often worked with Aboriginal communities and organizations in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in their economic development enterprises. Her considerable interpersonal skills and experience in group facilitation and training are an integral part of her expertise in community economic development.