Jill Birch

Jill Birch is a top rated adviser, speaker and cutting edge researcher in leadership and team development, change management, philanthropy, business development strategies & marketing communications. Jill is the Vice President of Fundraising and Alumni and President of the OCAD U Foundation at OCAD University, Canada's University of the Imagination.

Jill was recently the Principal & National Capability Lead, Sector Development in the Leadership Solutions area of Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions where she was responsible for building bridges into Canada's leading sectorial engines while growing leadership capacity to drive competitive advantage in organizations across Canada. She has worked with organizations in the digital, high-tech, health, advertising, financial services, energy, public, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors. Her concentration on the pivotal role that culture, relationships and complexity play in developing leadership capacity have been heightened by her work as a Vice President with some of Canada's largest trade associations in the retail, broadcasting, marketing and the not-for-profit sectors. Prior to working with Knightsbridge, Jill was the Vice President of Business Development at Sheridan College where she was responsible for a $40 million business unit that included government relations, advancement, marketing communications, international partnerships, applied research, continuing education and corporate training.

Jill was also Associate Director, In-Company Development, International Training and Partnerships with the Schulich School of Business at York University. She was responsible for building Schulich's leadership practice and in three years helped move Schulich from no standing, to being ranked 14th overall among global business schools in corporate development. Jill is an accomplished and experienced speaker, adviser and researcher who has spoken across Canada and internationally to groups from Singapore to Russia.

Jill's presentations draw from her research on how the latest global forces are impacting the development of leadership capability. Jill's M.A. research focused on how CEOs learn to learn and learn to lead. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate with Griffith University in Australia where she is researching relational leadership processes. She is also a Certified Association Executive.

• 1. The Relational Leader: Smashing Silos and Building Teams that Collaborate

  Is leadership a person? A position? Based on results? Or...is it a process?
  
  During the last five years seismic changes have not only changed the way we view the world, but the ways we think about organizations and leadership. Fresh thinking, combined with the experience of those in the field, are signaling a dramatic shift away from more traditional methods of conceptualizing leadership to a more pragmatic, relational point of view. By participating in this forum, you will explore concepts and practical applications of relational leadership and discuss ways that leaders at all levels are embodying this kind of leadership.
  
  We will explore processes that build trust, break down silos and create a safe environment for dialogue. Importantly, we will examine ways that relational leaders can develop deeper insights into their own perceptions of leadership with a view to building a more leaderful culture of collaboration within and across teams. Being ever-pragmatic, we will also dive into the judgment and decision-making required by leaders, considering how a relational approach can actually accelerate these processes.
  
  This presentation is not intended to be yet another aspirational mountain climb to leader infinity and beyond. It contends that the world is moving beyond the paradigm of leader as caped crusader. Instead, the goal of this presentation is to initiate an energetic conversation of what could be as leaders re-appreciate what kind of leadership is required to build a strong organization that affirms everyone's voice and perspectives are contributing to the greater good.

• 2. The Five Competencies of Successful Leadership: New Thinking on the Old Challenge of Developing Sustainable Leadership

  Much of the thinking today about leadership is often about what needs to happen and who needs to make it happen. What we now know, however, is that a fundamental shift is required to think about how the work gets done. This interactive and experiential keynote session will show, rather than tell leaders about new ways to think about their leadership. Five key competencies will be explored to enhance leadership through the creation of communities of leadership that thrive on positive relationships and collaboration.

• 3. Hardwiring Gone Haywire: Re-thinking Team Leadership for the 21st Century

  One of the most significant challenges that confront leadership teams today is the intersection of global trends, the strategies that emerge to meet these trends and the kind of leadership capabilities that are now required to effectively implement these strategies. Many organizations are finding that what worked before isn't working anymore. Find out how organizations have reclaimed their energy and innovation by "unlearning" and re-appreciating leadership in new and meaningful ways. This presentation will examine the top global forces now impacting the development of complex strategy and the character of leadership that is making a difference in successful organizations around the world.

• 4. Leverage Your Leadership: Developing Collaborative Strategies to Attain Organizational Goals

  Surveys of top executives have confirmed that leadership skills are the most important factor in an employee's career progress above intelligence and knowledge or job skills. Leadership capacity, however, is rapidly changing and we are  find out how you can strengthen your abilities to lead collaboratively and execute effectively. You'll learn about the power of reflection and critical thinking skills as well as explore five key leverage points to enhance your leadership. An experiential session will round out your ability to better understand the type of leader you have the potential to become as you grow yourself and your team into the future.

• 5. Living Leadership: The Ten Top Trends in Successful Leadership Today

  Based on 15 years of practice and research into what makes leadership hum in organizations, this session will provide examples and insights of the top ten trends that leading organizations around the world are paying attention to as they work to compete on a global scale. The session will begin with a discussion what has changed in leadership and how leaders are adapting to these changes. Ten major leverage points will be explored with a view to enhancing performance to drive results.

• 6. Leverage your Influence Skills

  Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting out in roles of growing responsibility, the development of strong leadership and influence skills are essential to build credibility and confidence. This session will is a journey of discovery in learning how to build your leadership capacity and strengthen your ability to execute effectively. Learn about the power of influence and reflective capabilities and develop self-awareness. We will explore key leverage points to enhance your leadership including the four different types of reflection and how leaders harness them to improve performance; how to enhance your performance and influence skills and how to build confidence in your role as leader examining the role that confidence and fear play in your leadership style.

• 7. The New Realities of Retail Leadership

  Fresh research into the world of retail has shown dramatic shifts in how leadership needs to change to respond to these pressures. From the impact of globalization to the intense pressure to preserve margins in a customer-centric universe, there is a growing demand for ever-more strategic retail leadership. Organizations are now seeking top performers who understand more than just the technical skills - they are looking to grow a strong cadre of leaders who can take on the mantle of leadership as the boomer bubble bursts. How can retailers effectively meet this challenge? This keynote address will highlight four major themes in developing retail leadership capability.

• Jill is a compelling speaker, clearly excited about her studies in relational leadership and bringing a different way of thinking to today's workplace environment.

  Halton Region

• Jill did an amazing presentation, one of the best motivational seminars I have been to - great dialogue, ideas, take backs. She made us think about issues around how we need to be open to adopting to change and gave us some good tools to go home with.

  Northbridge Insurance

• I was absolutely stunned by your presentation at the Women's Summit. I loved the way you took a very complex, theoretical topic of relational leadership and made it engaging...

  Mars Venus Now

• This was by far the best session I've ever attended at AFP Fundraising Day or Congress! Jill is a phenomenal speaker and has so much knowledge to share. Could have listened to her for the whole day - very intelligent and engaging Excellent session!

  AFP Annual Conference

• Excellent presenter! I could have listened with her all day. She was very exceptional. The best presentation that I have seen in a long time. The content and presentation was excellent.

  CSAE Annual Conference