Leading with
kindness
Managing with
clarity
Performing with
distinction.
Coaching and leadership support for high-pressure organizations that want strong managers, healthy teams, and exceptional results.
Care and compassion in high-pressure environments
I believe that a caring leadership style combined with a commitment to high-quality output can help organizations, leaders and team members deliver exceptional results while maintaining a positive and healthy work environment. Indeed, I have witnessed firsthand how that is possible through multiple challenges including strike periods, budget cuts, the demands the COVID pandemic placed on public health employees, shifting changes in workplace presence requirements and reorganizations.
If this appeals to you but you are drowning in deliverables and not sure where to start then I would be honoured to provide some assistance. Empathetic and authentic leadership takes practice and support and we can work together to figure out what would be best in your unique situation. And it will be worth it! When team members at all levels know how to clearly communicate with each other, acknowledge their own limitations, and care for themselves and others a new energy is infused into the workplace and organizational goals are more easily reached. Incorporating regular, concrete practices to support this approach creates greater access to creativity, even within organizational constraints. It also helps people feel genuinely valued and respected, even in the hardest conversations. Learning how to integrate patience, kindness, and professionalism, with an emphasis on high-quality and timely results, can take you to the next level of individual and organizational success.
Learning how to integrate patience, kindness, and professionalism, with an emphasis on high-quality and timely results, is critical to individual and organizational success.
is not at odds with strong performance. It is what makes strong performance in challenging environments possible and sustainable.
01
30+ Years inside complex organizations
I bring three decades of leadership experience across the Government of Canada, including work in public health, HR, immigration, trade, and central agency roles, as well as not-for-profit experience.
02
A people-first leadership philosophy
I believe compassionate leadership can lead to exemplary results, and I’ve spent my career in complex, high pressure environments proving that care and performance can go together.
03
Real support for managers
I have supervised and supported managers through multiple challenges and high pressure projects. I also led the implementation of an award-winning leadership development program for middle managers that combined practical skill-building with peer coaching and connection.
Custom Organizational Support
Every workplace is different. I am ready to work with your organization to co-create solutions that will support your specific people, pressures, and goals.
This partnership can include the services below as well as providing additional support and expertise so we can, together, meet the needs and desires of you and your team at this moment in time.
1:1 Coaching for Executives and Managers
Support for individual executives and managers who work in a high-pressure environment and want a thoughtful space to reflect, problem-solve, and explore ways to lead more effectively.
This can include support with:
- managing people with more confidence
- navigating workplace conflict and complexity
- balancing compassion and accountability
- handling change, uncertainty, and pressure
- career growth and leadership development
- work-life balance and navigating demanding roles
Leadership Support for Groups and Teams
Support for groups of managers responsible for delivering a high level of performance under complex or challenging circumstances.
This can include providing a space for connection, reflection and practical support via:
- peer coaching approaches
- facilitated leadership conversations
- group support for managers navigating similar challenges
- leadership development workshops rooted in real workplace issues
- stronger connection, trust, and shared learning across a management group
Laurie Ann Hunter, MSW, RSW
About Laurie Ann Hunter, MSW, RSW
Leadership shaped by real experience
My favourite part of my work to date has always been the connection with people. I am a true believer that compassionate leadership can and will lead to exemplary results.
Over a 30-year career in the Government of Canada, I served in leadership roles across public health, human resources, immigration, agriculture, trade, and central agency roles.
I led in complex, high-pressure environments, supported large teams, managed major responsibilities, and developed a leadership style that helped me consistently attract high-quality people and build strong teams, even in challenging circumstances.
Ending my career with a role as a Director General at the Public Health Agency of Canada during and following the COVID crisis was an unforeseen challenge that turned into one of the most rewarding periods in my career. Along the way, I have led through strike periods, multiple budget reduction exercises, and shifting workplace presence requirements.
Before joining the Government of Canada, I worked in the not-for-profit sector, including in a women’s shelter, with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (supporting at-risk youth), and at the London Unemployment Help Centre (supporting displaced Nortel employees).
My background includes a Master of Social Work, professional coaching certification, and experience leading leadership development and change management programs and workshops. I am a constant learner, with a lifelong interest in professional and personal development.
Finally, I am a parent of two lovely human beings, as well as a daughter, sister and aunt (known as Aunt Lulu to my sister’s family).
I am well aware of the delights and challenges family brings, whether your children are at the toddler, teenager, or young adult stage and whether your time is stretched thin by supporting demanding extra-curricular activities or challenging patches as these amazing beings grow into being their own people. And this understanding extends to those navigating support to other family members or to themselves when faced with unexpected physical or mental health challenges.
Whatever your current goals and challenges are, I look forward to exploring how I can bring what I have learned along my journey so far to support you and your organization in taking your next best steps.
proven experience
Years inside complex organizations
Led teams of up to 200 employees
Experience managing budgets of $25M plus
Years leading HR programs
Years of central agency experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do you work with?
I work with leaders at all levels of an organization, from new supervisors and middle managers to more senior leaders. While I do have a soft spot for the people in the middle, my work is really about partnering with you to support thoughtful, caring leadership wherever it sits in an organization.
What kinds of leadership challenges can you help with?
I support leaders who are navigating people management, communication challenges, workplace conflict, change, competing demands, team culture, burnout risk, and the pressure of trying to lead well in complex environments. I also help leaders think about how to care for their people without sacrificing performance.
Do you only work with organizations?
No. While organizational coaching is a big part of my work, I also support individuals at all levels who want a supportive space to reflect on leadership, career direction, work-life balance, parenting, wellness, and the challenge of delivering in many areas at once. This is especially relevant for parents, caregivers, and others who are trying to lead well at work while also tending to full lives outside of it.
Do you offer support for individuals, groups, or teams?
Yes. I offer one-to-one coaching, as well as support for groups of leaders and teams who would benefit from more reflection, stronger connection, and more practical leadership support. The support provided to organizations will be shaped around their unique needs and may include peer coaching, facilitated leadership conversations, or other support.
What is your background?
My background is broad and grounded in real-world leadership. Over a 30-year career in the Government of Canada, I worked across public health, human resources, immigration, agriculture, trade, and central agency roles. Earlier in my career, I also worked in the not-for-profit sector, including at a women’s shelter, with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and at the London Unemployment Help Centre. I am an Erickson Certified Professional Coach, have my Master of Social Work and am a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Across all of my work and training, the common thread has been people, growth, and helping others navigate challenges with more clarity and support.
What informs your approach?
My approach is shaped by senior leadership experience, a Master of Social Work, professional coaching certification, leadership development work, and a lifelong interest in learning. I am also a constant learner, and more recently, Internal Family Systems has become an important influence in how I think about people, patterns, and the inner resources they carry. I bring that learning thoughtfully into my work where appropriate.
Is this coaching, counseling, or consulting?
Most of my current work is coaching and leadership support and can be expanded to include consulting or meeting facilitation if that would be helpful to an organization. The support I provide is practical, reflective, and grounded in the real demands of organizational life. In the future, I may also offer counseling support as a separate service and will provide updated information on my website at that time.
Laurie knew just what to do…she was gentle, and at the same time, pointed. She asked incredible questions. After every session I felt more clear, grounded and centered, and uplifted.
- Rebecca Lira
A rare kind of leader.
You set a standard for what human-centred leadership and a high-performing team can look like.
In my Aspiring Director Program for Black Public Servants, there is often discussion about the difference between mentorship and sponsorship… you are the first true sponsor that I’ve had in my 19 year career in the federal public service… your allyship was never performative; you lifted others, created space, and advocated when it was needed.
Your combination of competence, genuine care and kindness, and calm strength created a work environment that was both high-performing and human.
You always found the time to make the people you worked with feel seen, heard and valued.
You have been a role model and a calm, steady guide for so many people through so much change and upheaval.
Your genuine, people-first approach has made a lasting impact.
If your organization wants to strengthen leadership from the inside out, or create a more connected and sustainable way of working, I would love to start with a conversation.