Client Stories and Testimonials
Work we have done and feedback from Our Past Clients
Corporation for Positive Change AI Workshops
“It was wonderful learning from you this week in Long Beach. I’m looking forward to deepening my knowledge of AI and becoming an agent of positive change. Warmest regards.”
Dianna Jennings
Personal Brand and Image Strategist, Orange County
Appreciative Leadership
“I credit Maura and Julie with helping me to shift my perspective on organizational change, and look at possibilities and successes instead of searching for gaps and problems. I believe that only their caring and highly informed teaching could convince me to look at people and organizations with very different lenses. Their teaching was transformational and inspiring.”
Luisa Canuto
Faculty Member, UBC Vancouver
“I was at a crossroads when I was introduced to Strengthsfinder, Appreciative Inquiry and Appreciative Leadership models by Maura and Julie. While I was challenged to understand how to assess myself, the outcomes unveiled over time as I began to implement strategies that allowed for profound transformative changes in my personal and professional life. This epistemological orientation propelled me to make a few really big changes in my personal life. And now, professionally, I feel privileged as a Life and Career Coach to motivate my clients to work on their changes and accomplish their objectives and goals in a kind manner. I know I could not have advanced in my professional life without the compassionate guidance that I received from the various programs offered by Maura and Julie. You are all in for a great treat!”
Sameera Wazir
Life and Career Coach, Vancouver
Strengths-Based Assessments (Team Building and Workshops)
“For me, the biggest change is that I have convert muted strengths into abilities that have a more dramatic impact. I can now spot patterns in the behaviour of others to identify how to re-orient their own efforts towards growth areas. Previously, I would spot patterns in data, but now I can spot patterns in people. I used to think I had a lot to learn about people, but with an appreciative mindset I was able to turn my logical abilities into a sophisticated people skill.”
Stuart Murray
Workforce Strategist, Human Resources, UBC Vancouver
“I’ve worked with both Maura and Julie on many occasions at UBC, mostly notably within Appreciative Inquiry and Strengthsfinder workshops both as a participant and as a leader coordinating these opportunities for my direct reports. Firstly, the outcomes of these learning processes were incredibly valuable for our workplace culture as all that participated learned about themselves and, more important, about the styles and strengths of their co-workers. Secondly, Maura and Julie are passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about their craft. They make the experience fun and engaging for all participants which adds even greater value to the process. If you are looking to create a high functioning, connected and dynamic work team Maura and Julie will definitely help you attain this goal.”
Andrew Parr
Managing Director, Student Housing and Hospitality Services, UBC
“’Thank you’ for your skilled and fun leadership of our group. I was so grateful throughout our work to be connected to such great teachers.”
Lynn Wyton
Senior Director, Advanced Industries, Alberta Finance and Enterprise
Appreciative Inquiry: Visioning, Summits, and Strategic Planning
“What an amazingly beautiful and legible synthesis of incredibly varied and complex perspectives presented by everyone at that SOAR workshop! You guys are so gifted.”
Catherine Alkenbrach
Director, Facilities Planning, Infrastructure Development, UBC Vancouver
“Five years ago Julie Stockton and Maura de Cruz facilitated an Appreciative Inquiry process for our organization. Utilizing the complete 4-D process and including employees and stakeholders we were able to implement a process of positive change that permeated the entire organization and continues to the present. The changes we implemented that were inspired by the AI summit have improved staff morale, teamwork, and productivity. Relationships and employee connectedness across the organization and across teams were improved. Strategic goals were implemented that have improved client satisfaction. I highly recommend this process and this team to create positive change within an organization.”
Dominic Rockall
Executive Director, Community Social Service Organization
Appreciative Coaching
“Whether you are a beginner or experienced coach, Appreciative Coaching is essential for any coach who wants to help individuals, groups or teams develop their strengths and spark high performance that brings out the very best.
The 2-day course in Appreciative Coaching offers the philosophy, methodology and practice for developing, strengthening and transforming individuals and organizations.
Julie and Maura are a dynamic duo that embody the very essence of appreciative inquiry. As educators, facilitators and professional coaches they will inspire you to take a collaborative, empowering and generative coach approach. Your coaching practice will be transformed!”
Heather Turnbull
COC, PCC, Program Leader, Certificate in Organizational Coaching, UBC Extended Learning Vancouver
Power of Appreciative Inquiry
“Great experience and so applicable to both life and work. It’s changed my views on how important it is to frame the right question to get to possibilities. I’ve done this naturally, but now I feel I have the tools to be more intentional about tapping into the potential of a team or organization in the way that I love – what can we achieve together!”
Terri Wilson
Los Angeles
“I have long understood the power of positivity and query. I have struggled to put it into practice because I am so hard-wired to problem-solve and find defects. The AI course got me over the wall so I can pivot to the appreciative query easily. I’m excited to put it into practice. I will use it in my work, community, and home life.”
Dwight Cook
Director of HR Transformation, Agile Scrum Master and Process Excellence Thought Leader, Long Beach, California
“I am really enjoying your AI seminar! It’s opening my eyes and, hopefully, will be opening new doors to help to transform thinking within our organization.”
Kate Turner Willmunder
VP Employee Relations and HR Compliance, Apria Healthcare, Orange County
“What I learned in Tenny and Julie’s Power of Appreciative Inquiry workshop will be a game changer in my business. Not only will it enhance how I deliver my services, but how I close more business in the future.”
Diana Jennings
Personal Brand and Image Strategist, Orange County
“It was a pleasure to meet you at the AI class earlier this month. Thank you for your generosity in teaching. I will never forget you jumping backwards when I stated the “PROBLEM” in the class role play. I am sure I will see your face at times when I catch myself.”
Barbara O Forth
Chief Data Officer, Enterprise Data Management, Orange County
Coaching
“Julie and Maura are deeply skilled in bringing appreciative inquiry to coaching. They will inspire you to discover, dream and design your personal and professional life around your true strengths, values and purpose.”
Heather Turnbull
COC, PCC, Program Leader, Certificate in Organizational Coaching, UBC Extended Learning Vancouver
“I had the fortune of learning about Coaching from Julie and Maura as part of my MA program in Organizational Psychology. As our instructor, Julie designed a program that struck the perfect balance between science/theory and practical application. In addition to learning the psychological concepts, models, and theories, we also had the opportunity to practice and hone our craft through working with Maura, our Mentor Coach. Within a year of taking this Coaching course, I was able to transition my career from HR to working as an Organizational Coach for a large technology company!”
Talent Development Coach at a large technology company
COC, PCC, Program Leader, Certificate in Organizational Coaching, Vancouver
“I found it helpful to talk through issues and get my coach’s perspective on a variety of fronts, particularly personnel matters. The coaching helped raise my self-awareness of my leadership style and personality factors, and strategies for tuning in to my colleagues’ perspectives (about themselves, others, and me) and for leading effectively during meetings.”
Coaching Client
Faculty Member, UBC Vancouver