Level Consulting

Dr. Cristina Stasia

Dr. Cristina Stasia is an award-winning university lecturer and the Director of Leadership Training and Program Development at the Peter Lougheed Leadership College. She is currently completing an executive certificate in Public Leadership, with a focus on adaptive leadership, at the Kennedy School of Government. In recognition of her teaching excellence and innovative pedagogy in the Faculty of Arts, she received the William Hardy Award for Excellence in University Teaching and, via the Last Lecture competition, was voted by students as one of the top three most inspiring instructors at the University of Alberta. Recently, the University of Alberta named her a Wellness Champion for her commitment to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and healthy campus culture. Her commitment to experiential learning and putting theory into practice via community engagement led to being recognized as one of Edmonton’s “Top 40 Under 40” by Avenue magazine. Cristina is the founder of Level Consulting; as a consultant and leadership trainer—with a specific focus on equity, diversion, and inclusion—she has worked with clients including the City of Edmonton, government ministries, schools, and private businesses. She has served on numerous boards including SAVE (Sexual Assault Voices of Edmonton), ETSAB (Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board), and was a founding member of WAVE (Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton, Chair of policy subcommittee).

Stenette van den Berg

Stenette approaches leadership from the perspective of relationality. Her leadership style blends elements of adaptive and values-based leadership, with an emphasis on unlearning and critical self-reflection. Embracing intentionality, accountability, and vulnerability as the foundational core of what success means to her, these principles guide her approach to engagement, relationship building and maintenance, and co-creation within her PhD research and work in Policy and Program Coordination. She finds inspiration in projects that promote access to justice and proactively approach equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her research interests include multispecies ethnography, decolonizing the academy, cultural landscapes, and sled dogs. When she is not in front of a screen, she enjoys taking her dogs to the Edmonton River Valley, supporting the local arts scene, and doing ghost tours.

Degrees

BA and BHCS(Hons) from the University of Pretoria- JMD Erasmus+ Master of Excellence DYCLAM from the University of Jean Monnet (France), Polytechnical Institute of Tomar (Portugal), National Museum of Natural History (France), and University of Federico II (Italy).

M2 Arctic Studies from the University of Paris Saclay/University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.

Nicole Wilson

Meet Dr. Nicole Wilson, an adaptive leadership enthusiast with a passion for personal growth. With a diverse range of professional development and experiences, Nicole honed her skills in navigating complex environments and uncertainty. Nicole has immersed herself in the practice of adaptive leadership to tackle challenges and inspire those around her to approach complex situations with greater awareness and confidence.

Dr. Wilson is a highly accomplished and passionate leader in Organizational Behaviour. With a strong academic background and over 15 years of professional experience, Nicole established herself as an expert in organizational effectiveness and inclusive leadership practices. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Nicole has played a vital role in shaping evidence-based hiring practices for faculty positions, drafting manuscripts and white papers on equity and inclusion in engineering, and launching an allyship in engineering group.

Kineshta Pillay

Kineshta is an engineering researcher from South Africa. She has a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering and is working towards a PhD in the same field. While her current research focuses on inhaled drug delivery for children, she has a diverse range of experience including work in building systems and ventilation. Kineshta is passionate about healthcare and community engagement in low resource areas, and sees community development as a vital aspect of building strong, functional systems. She has received recognition for teaching innovation at the University of Alberta, and currently serves on several boards including the Graduate Planning Committee for the Faculty of Engineering at the U of A. In addition to these roles, she is involved in projects supporting gender diversity in STEM, and creating supports for graduate students. In her spare time Kineshta likes to rock climb, and enjoys reading outdoors with her dog.

Andres Merino-Restrepo He/Him

Ph.D. candidate in Bioresource Technology, Faculty of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences (ALES), University of Alberta M.Sc. in Biotechnology and Biological Engineering, National University of Colombia.

Andres is not your typical engineer and scientist. With a confident and engaging demeanor, he brings a unique blend of leadership and teaching experience to the table. Holding an M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the prestigious National University of Colombia, he has dedicated over seven years to conducting ground-breaking research in biotechnological processes.

Andres’ expertise lies in the fascinating realm of using enzymes to degrade pollutants and biofuels. His academic journey has provided him with a solid theoretical foundation in molecular techniques, microbiological processes, bioprocess modeling, industrial fermentations, biochemical engineering, and bioremediation. His exceptional work has garnered recognition both nationally and internationally. His research findings have been showcased at esteemed congresses, earning him grants and awards that testify to his unwavering commitment to academia and research.

In fact, Andres ventured beyond borders and embarked on a research stay at the renowned Universidade de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, immersing himself in the Environmental Biotechnology Group. A published author, Andres has contributed to the scientific community through articles in international peer-reviewed journals. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. studies under the guidance of Dr. David C. Bressler at the University of Alberta, he is deeply involved in advancing sustainable aviation fuel production.

But Andres’ journey is not solely confined to the laboratory. His passion for teaching has led him to shape minds and inspire future leaders. As a teaching assistant for Chemistry and Biochemistry courses in Colombia and Advanced Agrochemical Analysis and Rhetoric in Engineering in Canada, he has honed his ability to convey complex concepts with clarity and enthusiasm. Going beyond traditional educational settings, Andres has also made a significant impact through science outreach and communication initiatives. From 2016 to 2019, he served as an instructor for Science Clubs - Colombia, a transformative program that brings the wonders of science to children and youth in remote regions and indigenous communities.

Recognizing his leadership potential, Andres was selected as a teaching fellow at the prestigious Peter Lougheed Leadership College, where he guided students in the transformative courses of Foundations of Leadership and Leadership for Social Innovation. Moreover, he proudly serves as one of the instructors for the Specialization Course in Adaptive Leadership at the esteemed University of Engineering and Technology in Peru.

Outside the realm of academia, Andres is driven by a deep passion for ecology, social justice, and Catholic volunteer initiatives. His commitment to making a positive impact on society is unwavering, and he channels this drive into every aspect of his work.

With a captivating blend of leadership experience, teaching prowess, and an unwavering dedication to science and social progress, Andres is the ideal partner for anyone seeking to unlock their leadership potential and make a lasting difference in the world.

Andres is a remarkable engineer and scientist with a unique combination of leadership and teaching experience. He holds an M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the prestigious National University of Colombia and has dedicated over seven years to ground-breaking research in biotechnological processes. Andres specializes in using enzymes to degrade pollutants and biofuels, and his exceptional work has earned him recognition both nationally and internationally. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. studies under the guidance of Dr. David C. Bressler at the University of Alberta, he is deeply involved in advancing sustainable aviation fuel production.

In addition to his academic achievements, Andres is passionate about teaching and has honed his ability to convey complex concepts with clarity and enthusiasm. He has served as a teaching assistant for various science courses and has made a significant impact through science outreach programs, bringing the wonders of science to children and youth in remote regions and indigenous communities in Colombia.

Dr. Kaitlyn Watson

Dr. Kaitlyn Watson is a leadership coach, author, academic, researcher, advocate, consultant, and is clinically trained as a pharmacist. Dr. Watson wrote the foundational book ‘Disaster and Emergency Pharmacy: A Guide to Preparation and Management’ and is the Founder of Disaster Pharmacy Solutions. She employs adaptive leadership principles with her students, unpacking the complexity of leadership and teaching them to lead from their current circumstances.

B. Pharmacy (Hons), PhD, GradCertAppPharmPrac, FHEA.