For the past twenty years, Emma and her partner, Norman Kunc, have traveled the world providing keynote addresses, workshops, institutes and seminars to educators, human service organizations, parent groups, government agencies, and businesses on the topics of inclusive education, employment equity, team building and conflict resolution.

In addition, Emma conducts organizational reviews and does training in the areas of board development, management development and team building. Formerly a labour relations director for a large non-profit organization on Vancouver Island, Emma received training and certification in third-party dispute resolution and negotiation at the Justice Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is currently enrolled in the certification program in co-active coaching through the Coaches Training Institute, and is working on a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Management at Royal Roads University.

Emma and Norman have collaborated on a number of writing projects, including several training manuals and chapters published in three books on cooperative and inclusive education. She is currently working on a book about advocacy, and a mystery novel.

BUT WHO AM I REALLY?

John Bradshaw once said that we are increasingly a society that defines itself by what we do. He added that more and more we are a society of ‘human doings’, not ‘human beings. In that spirit, I try not to confuse what I do with who I am, even though what I do undeniably influences who I am in important ways

. Although it is true that I’ve worked to support people with disabilities, their families, and the people who support them for the past 30+ years, it’s been far more than just work. I believe I’ve received much more than I’ve ever given. The people I’ve met have taught me everything worth knowing about contribution, innovation and humanity.

My studies in conflict resolution have given me hope that it is indeed possible for people to resolve issues without losing relationships, and I have seen moving evidence that people really are capable of profound changes in both the way they do things and the attitudes they bring to the world.

In addition, as a member of a family of artists, I am passionately interested in the powerful influence of story and art on the development of empathy, connection, and social change.

I am a parent to two wonderful adult children (an oxymoron only a parent is allowed to use), wife to a man I can only describe as my soul-mate, daughter to a wonderful octogenarian father, sister to two of my best friends, a besotted pet owner, a writer, an avid cyclist and runner, a swimmer, a passionate cook and a sometimes-artisan. I live in a place I love, and while not fiscally wealthy, have a life I love. I get to do work I deeply care about. I love to travel, and from time to time that work even takes me to exotic places!

I have only recently begun to translate my experiences with the disability movement, conflict resolution and art into life coaching. I believe that life coaching is a powerful vehicle for personal and societal change. My relationships with disabled people long ago taught me that people do not need to be fixed. We are all – in ‘coach speak’ – creative, resourceful and whole. What we actually need is support, and opportunities to contribute – in whatever ways we can. My work in conflict resolution has underscored that belief, by showing me again and again that people can unlearn problematic behaviours and replace them with constructive ones. We can learn to live larger, happier, more fulfilling lives! Life coaching brings all this together, and is giving me something I value highly – as both a mediator and an advocate - the opportunity to participate in change at a grass-roots level – one person at a time.