About da Vinci Consulting
Inspired Leadership
…driven by Connectedness, Curiosity, Creativity
Karen’s Work Bio
Karen has over 30 years of experience in organisational psychology as a leader, HR practitioner and consultant with a focus on individual and organisation development. She has provided value to clients as a leadership coach, trusted adviser and skilled facilitator.
She has designed leadership training programs which have been rolled out across multiple sites internationally, coached hundreds of individuals, and has assisted many organisations with strategic planning, organisation review and change management, some of which has been transformative.
As a registered Psychologist, Karen brings a deep understanding of human behaviour and the individual to her work. She is also able to undertake a broad range of assessments available only to psychologists in order to support individuals in their learning and development.
In addition to psychology, her work draws upon a broad and varied base of business, philosophy, leadership and education theories, as well as recent developments in neuroscience. Karen takes a strategic and systemic approach to her work, focusing on process and relationships, coupled with creative thought and curiosity about how the parts and linkages might work better.
Karen has worked with and consulted to a range of industries including: mining, professional and financial services, tech start-up, health, education, Defence, property, manufacturing and corrective services. This broad experience, along with her strong interests in neuroscience and creativity, enables her to bring varied perspectives to her focus on leadership and organisation effectiveness.
Qualifications:
- Diploma in Neuroscience of Leadership, NeuroCapability Group
- Accredited in DISC Advanced and MBTI
- Masters of Organisational Psychology, University of Queensland
- Post-Graduate Diploma of Clinical Hypnosis, Australian Society of Hypnosis
Memberships:
- Registered Psychologist
- Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
- University of Queensland Alumni
Board and Committee Experience:
Karen has volunteered extensively over three decades, including on NFP Boards (2011-2017) as well as professional associations and community organisations (since 1987).
She is currently a Board member of the Queensland Branch of the Psychology Board of AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and was previously a member of the Queensland Parole Board.
Karen Outside of Work
My life and my work are both richer when there is space for creativity, philanthropy and challenge. These activities enable reflection and learning, as well as a contribution to something greater than myself.
I reflect on my own practices by regularly engaging in art (viewing and doing) and other creative activities, gardening, and outdoor pursuits.
I believe in giving back to society – volunteering my time and effort either professionally or personally – and I have done this consistently for over 35 years.
I challenge myself consistently in many ways, physically and intellectually. I believe in saying “Yes” and extending myself into new opportunities…. tandem skydiving, learning to snow ski at middle age, wake-boarding, learning a second (or third) language, travelling to Antarctica on an ice breaker to work for 5 weeks (and staying an extra 3 weeks stuck in the ice), immersing myself in permaculture principles and applying this to develop a large vegetable garden, trekking the Kokoda Track with a full pack, and trekking for 30 days across the Indian Himalaya (over 5 major mountain passes) reaching 5,300 metres.
My aim is to bring this learning and contribution to my work, as part of a broad and varied perspective.
About the da Vinci Name
“Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) was an Italian polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer. Leonardo has often been described as the archetype of the Renaissance man, a man whose unquenchable curiosity was equalled only by his powers of invention. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived.
Leonardo’s experimentation followed clear scientific method approaches, and his theorising and hypothesising integrated the arts and particularly painting; these, and Leonardo’s unique integrated, holistic views of science make him a forerunner of modern systems theory and complexity schools of thought.”
(Wikipedia)
Systemic thought underlies much of how da Vinci Consulting works – inter-relationships and linkages between different parts which combine to form a holistic and integrated whole. Coupled with creative thought and curiosity about how the parts and the linkages might work better, da Vinci Consulting aspires to improve the whole.
The da Vinci Consulting logo represents a radial design by Leonardo da Vinci and symbolises the integrated and systemic nature of individuals and organisations.
Ethos
My approach to my work and client relationships is based on four key values. On their own, they are classic yet integral aspects of working effectively with others. Together, along with the da Vinci Consulting credo of being curious, creative and connected, they provide a rich and integrated base to creating positive and insightful impact on individuals and organisations.
Integrity
The baseline of all I strive to do: transparency, consistency, independence, professional ethics, honesty and courage
Collaboration
Developing strong relationships
Working collaboratively with clients to achieve measurable success – leveraging combined knowledge and skills (internal and external) to achieve solutions that make a real difference
Authenticity
Mirroring a key element in leadership: behaving in ways that I expect and support others to behave
Working from heart and my inner self
Quality
Providing innovative, creative and workable solutions, based both on well-trusted (classic) and cutting-edge (contemporary) practices
