James Wood, MA, CED
Awakening Sustainable Communities
James' supportive facilitation approach is guided by the skills he has developed throughout his international Community & Economic Development career.
As a Community Economic Development specialist, engaging in international & multi-cultural settings with public, private, third-sector and community groups since 1998, one of my greatest assets that I bring is my natural ability to build relationships and facilitate collaborative decision-making processes, with and between members, departments, boards, commissions, and community organisations. In diverse environments, I have worked to crystallize the larger vision, and to utilise my planning, facilitation, conflict resolution, project management, outreach, and communication skills to find common-ground solutions that positively contribute to local and place-based visions. I cultivate strong teams by encouraging their best individual strengths towards aligned processes.
My work is steeped in the training and principles of strength and place-based (ABCD) Community Economic Development (CED), and Social Enterprise support. My academic research focused on applied Sustainable Development initiatives that utilized multi-stakeholder consultation, community engagement, and public education; my Action Research Master’s thesis, in particular, was foundational to the creation of an Ethical Purchasing Policy adopted and implemented by the City of Vancouver.
SELECTED career highlights
Experience
Policy & Social Procurement Advisor (Europe & UK), SocialOutcomesSolutions.com, 2024-present
Co-Facilitating, Community Coaching Pilot Project, UK Co-Housing Network, 2021-22
Director Community Enagagement, CultureGarden.org — Scotland (2016-present)
Founder & Facilitator, HealthyMasculine.com & Awakening Action Planning — Canada, US & UK (2013 - current)
Community Advisor, Regional Economic Development — Yukon Government, Canada (2014 - 2015)
Senior Advisor, Community Affairs, Yukon Government — Canada (2013 - 2014)
Education
Master of Arts: Corporate Social Accountability, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada (2006)
Action Research project based thesis: Examining the Impacts of Ethical Purchasing Policies on Canadian Pubic Institutions
Certificate: Community Economic Development, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada (2003)
Bachelor of Arts: Social Anthropology, University of Victoria, Canada (2003)
Facilitation Training
Associate Learning Facilitator training, Social Enterprise Academy, 2023
Council Facilitation – Level I & II (2015/16)
Compassionate Communication – NVC (2014/15)
Project Management Professional – PMP Prep (2012/14)
Organizational Change, and Tools & Techniques for Sustainability; Planning Active Community Environments (PLACE); Cultural Competencies, Conflict Resolution, Change Management — Various 2012
Current Boards & Committees — Scotland and UK