Who We Are
Marion J. Howell, BAS Hons, CODI, PCC
Since 2006, Marion Howell has led the leadership development coaching and cultural transformation projects at the Iris Group. Marion is kind and direct, she is emotionally intelligent, and she has the ability to quickly notice clients’ self-imposed blocks and barriers that may hold them back from their peak performance. Marion’s coaching approach integrates the clients’ context and objectives with best models and scholarship in the areas of leadership development and organizational effectiveness. With Marion’s support, clients are able to deepen their insight on how to lead complex challenges, often by reframing and then develop personalized strategies that align with their natural strengths. She also supports the development of high-performance mindsets, particularly as clients transition to greater levels responsibility. Marion has a passion for Complexity Theory and she loves to share practical tools that support leaders in the midst of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity).
Marion works extensively in the Canadian health care sector as well as for-profit organizations and Children’s’ Aid Societies. Her clients include leaders at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Healthcare Materials Management Services, Humber River Hospital, Mackenzie Health Centre, Health PEI, Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners, VersaPay, Simcoe Muskoka Children’s Aid Society and Highland Shores Children’s’ Aid Society to name a few. Since 2011, Marion has provided individual and peer coaching services to both the Schulich Executive Education Centre in programs designed for Canadian physicians and health care leaders that has recently become LEADS certified (www.leadscanada.net).
Marion has a BAS Hons Marketing degree and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation. She has completed a Masters Certificate in Organization Development with the Canadian Organization Development Institute (CODI) and she holds a Myers-Briggs certification.
Sue Austin
(PCC – in renewal, MBA)
Sue is driven, curious, empathetic and grateful every day in her pursuit to coach others to see and realize their true potential. As a coach, facilitator and consultant, Sue brings over 25 years of experience in coaching, building and leading best-in-class teams in delivering bottom line results for organizations such as American Express, SickKids Foundation and OgilvyOne.
For the past 15 years, Sue’s practice has grown from a primary focus on one-on-one leadership and career coaching to partnering with client organizations and executive teams to custom design and deliver impactful and sustained leadership and coaching solutions. Sue’s goal ultimately is to support leaders in creating an empowered and inspiring work environment centred around purpose that motivates and maximizes growth of both the leaders and the business results.
Sue has partnered with senior leaders and fostered long term relationships with such organizations as Loblaw, Brookfield, UNICEF, Bravado, AGF, Blue Dot Strategy – Hamilton Health Sciences, Schulich
Executive Education Centre – Medical Society of PEI, Humber River Hospital HealthCare Leadership Program, SickKids Foundation, The Ivey Academy – AIMCo, Maple Leaf Foods, the Toronto Foundation and FCB.
Sue has a BA in Economics from Queens University, an MBA from the Ivey School of Business, is Professional Certified Coach from the International Coaching Federation. She holds a number of certifications including Myers-Briggs, and EQ 360 Assessments.
Brenda Blum
M.Ed., ACC
Brenda has extensive experience in various leadership positions in the health care and insurance sectors. In both internal and external corporate consultant roles, she has partnered with a broad range of clients to co-design and deliver services related to visioning and strategic planning, leadership and team development, performance management, organizational culture and strategy, and change leadership.
As a certified Leadership and Team Coach, Brenda fosters authentic and trusting connections with clients. She challenges and supports mid and senior level leaders to expand their competence and confidence to effectively influence and impact personal, team and business performance and results. Her practical and encouraging style facilitates learning and growth in meaningful ways, while appreciating the daily complex challenges and pressures that leaders face. She partners with clients to gain self-awareness and clarity, reframe challenges, and explore possibilities that lead to new insights and actions.
Brenda is a University of Toronto graduate with a Master of Education degree. She is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation and is a Team Coaching Foundations Certified Coach with the Global Team Coaching Institute. Brenda has been a long standing member of the International Association of Facilitators. She serves clients in Ottawa and the greater Toronto area and is a regular participant in professional networking and education events.
Exploratory Conversation
To book a 20 minute no-charge exploratory conversation, fill out the contact form below and discover if leadership coaching is a good option for your development.