As an assistant professor in an MBA program, I have been given the unique opportunity to broaden my students’ perspectives beyond traditional business concepts by integrating principles of community economic development and ecological economics into their learning. This focus is not just a component of the program but also a primary reason I took this position.
I believe that future leaders need to be equipped to navigate and address the socio-ecological challenges of our time, and that the most effective way to engage with this is through community-level work.
My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that business education should be a tool for social and ecological well-being. Whether in the MBA in Community Economic Development (CED) program or through specialized institutes, my courses challenge students to apply systems thinking to the complex challenges of our time.
MBA in Community Economic Development (CBU)
Foundation & Strategy
- MBAC 5101: Introduction to Business & Community – This course sets the stage, exploring the intersection of public health, social care, and mutual aid as the bedrock of a healthy economy.
- MBAC 6101: Business & Community II – Building on the foundations of 5101, we dive deeper into strategic applications and organizational models that serve the collective good.
Specialized Perspectives
- MBAC 5227: Energy & Environment in Communities – An exploration of how rural and island communities navigate the transition to sustainable energy systems while maintaining local autonomy.
- MBAC 6121: Research Methodologies & Project Design – I guide students through the heavy lifting of methodology, helping them craft rigorous research proposals for their final capstone projects.
- MBAC 5107: Economic Geography – We look at how the economy operates at various scales and the implications for particular places. I offer alternative ways of conceptualizing the economy and social life.
New for Fall 2026: Applied Group Research Project (ARP)
- MBAC 6802: Applied Group Research Project – I am currently developing this new course as a living lab for the MBA program. Instead of individual papers, students work in collaborative groups on real-world projects, bridging the gap between academic research and community-based action.
Visiting Faculty & International Teaching
Haida Gwaii Institute
Ecological Economics – In this intensive, place-based course, I lead students through the principles of ecological economics within the unique context of the Haida Nation. The course is part of the Haida Gwaii Summer School on Social and Ecological Restoration. It introduces key concepts in Ecological Economics, namely how it differs from traditional economics, and then explores the intersection of Ecological Economics and Indigenous cultures. The course features 6-8 community educators from Haida Gwaii, who share how their businesses and work integrate Haida culture and economics. The students produce a case study that analyzes a problem using ecological economic concepts and applies ideas from Indigenous business.
Previous Teaching Experience
- Sessional Lecturer:
- The Home as a Radical Grounds for Change. Canadian Mennonite University.
- ENVR:630 From the Big Bang to the Anthropocene. McGill University.
- INDEV:212 Introduction to Systems Thinking. University of Waterloo.
- Co-Instructor at the University of Waterloo:
- ERS:410 Ecosocial Systems. University of Waterloo
- INDEV:212 Problem Solving for Int. Dev. University of Waterloo
- Teacher’s Assistant:
- ERS:211 Environment Assessment. University of Waterloo
- ERS 202: Natural Resources Ecology
- ERS:410 Ecosocial Systems. University of Waterloo
- ERS:311 Intro to Systems Thinking. University of Waterloo
- ENVS:1000 Intro to Environmental History. York University