Strong organizations don't happen by accident.
They're built on the ability to respond, adapt, and keep moving.
I close the gap between where you want to go and what your systems can currently support.
I handle how, so you can focus on why.
Reset the System: A Practical Guide to Rethinking the Way You Work — to Power Why You Do It
Built for leaders navigating complexity and change.
Reset the System is a practical guide to stepping back, strengthening your systems, and building the resilience your organization needs to keep moving forward.
My work comes down to two areas:
Operations & Effectiveness
Some organizations are doing a lot with a little. Others are moving fast and want to keep it that way. Either way, the work is the same: build operations — and the strategy behind them — strong enough to carry where you want to go, proactively, not reactively.
Privacy, Governance & Risk
Protecting your data, managing risk, and using AI responsibly — practical governance built for how your organization actually works, so technology strengthens trust instead of straining it.
Hi, I’m Heather.
I'm a generalist working at the intersection of people, process, and technology, based in Ottawa. I spent more than 20 years in the nonprofit sector — leading teams across programs, governance, privacy, IT, and operations. That range of experience taught me that a strong strategy only goes as far as the operations built to carry it — and that intentional systems can drive real impact.
That's where I focus my work: the gap between where you want to go and what your systems can currently support. I handle the how — from the systems and workflows that keep things running to the governance and privacy work that keeps you protected — so you can focus on the why. And given the challenges and opportunities facing today's organizations, I bring a risk management lens to everything I do. For me, that also means building a foundation people can trust. I'm a certified information privacy professional and technologist (CIPP/C, CIPT), and it shows in every engagement I take on.
I'm the author of Reset the System, and I'm often asked to speak to leaders on resilience, governance, and building organizations that last.
Alongside leading Firefly Strategic Consulting, I serve as AI Governance & Privacy Advisor to ScarlettNova, an AI adoption consultancy.
Connect with me on LinkedIn to keep up with what's next.
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Sparking Inspiration is a curated newsletter for leaders of small, mission-driven organizations who are ready to work smarter.
Monthly tips, tools, and insight on building resilient organizations and navigating privacy, governance, and responsible AI — plus what's new with Heather and Firefly Strategic Consulting.
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