Annalise

As someone living with PTSD, I can tell you it affects all your close relationships.

In September, I participated as a panel member for Part II of the Military Sexual Trauma Symposium: Services and Supports for People Affected by MST. I took part in a 20-min overview discussion of the impact of trauma on military families and friends. I’ve embedded the video recording down below. When someone is suffering withContinue reading “As someone living with PTSD, I can tell you it affects all your close relationships.”

Leaders, please stop hurting us so we can finally heal

A few years ago, I came forward with my then-husband to talk about our own experience with Military Sexual Trauma because we wanted to highlight the issues within the system that were denying justice to victims of abuse. People can’t heal from trauma in a context of injustice. We need the system to become trauma-informed,Continue reading “Leaders, please stop hurting us so we can finally heal”

What is the cost to trauma survivors when we are working toward culture change?

Until recently, I hadn’t realized that someone might label me a survivor of Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Although this description might be technically accurate, it feels pretty new and it’s not internalized as true for me. Labels are tricky like that. Anyway, it’s a category I’m often assigned to since I told my story. IContinue reading “What is the cost to trauma survivors when we are working toward culture change?”

Dr Mary Honan interviewed me about surviving military sexual trauma

Dr Mary Honan interviewed me for her podcast in June 2021 (video below). It has taken me a while to post it because I wanted to include this little summary and time got away on me this summer. She asked about my experience of being a woman in the military, surviving the [often toxic] hierarchicalContinue reading “Dr Mary Honan interviewed me about surviving military sexual trauma”

Our definition of Justice needs to encompass these additional aspects

In 2013, I woke up to a man sexually assaulting me in my own bed. He was a senior officer in the military. Over two years later, I made a statement to the police. It may seem like a long time to wait, but less than a quarter of sexual assaults are ever reported atContinue reading “Our definition of Justice needs to encompass these additional aspects”

Culture change demands courage

Lately I’ve been writing about how we need to think about leadership in new ways. Forget the old model of heroic leadership and the Great Man Theory. We need leaders who foster a sense of safety and belonging so that all the best ideas can be brought to the table. Leaders who create an environmentContinue reading “Culture change demands courage”

A word from Lieutenant General Jennie Carignan – Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture

LGen Jennie Carignan appeared before the Standing Committee on the Status of Women regarding her role as Chief Professional Conduct and Culture. Here is what she said.

In the two weeks since one of the hardest chapters of my life was made public

This article was originally posted on my LinkedIn profile in the spring of 2021. It has been two weeks since one of the hardest chapters of my life was made public in a CBC interview. Since then, I have become even more deeply involved in a national conversation that was already profoundly important to me.Continue reading “In the two weeks since one of the hardest chapters of my life was made public”

Healthy Culture Library

Back to Resources | Jump to Contents I believe it’s the leader’s job to shape culture. What’s culture? It’s “the way we do things around here”. It’s the way we talk to each other, the way we send emails, the way we run meetings. It’s how we greet one another. It’s whether we treat oneContinue reading “Healthy Culture Library”

Psychological Safety Library

Back to Resources | Jump to Contents Great leaders foster psychological safety by creating an environment where team members feel valued, heard, and empowered to share their ideas without fear of judgment or punishment. They actively encourage open communication, show genuine appreciation for diverse perspectives, and respond to mistakes with curiosity rather than criticism. ByContinue reading “Psychological Safety Library”