Change Management

Description

The public service context is complex, and the pace, scale and complexity, of multiple changes are increasing in velocity and cumulative impact.
This interactive Webinar introduces core concepts that underpin both leading change and managing the process of change, and the relationship between them. Experts and lived experience align regarding what it takes to succeed with change lead in large and complex organizations. This webinar also explores the roles of different parties in successful change, as well as common pitfalls and barriers, including resistance.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this webinar, participants will have a good understanding of:

• The difference between leading change and change management.
• Core concepts underpinning change management.
• Key contributors and common obstacles to successful change.
• Roles and responsibilities in leading and implementing change.

Teaching Methods:

This session is based on reflection and peer exchange. It includes:

• Individual reflection
• Structured conversations in pairs
• Small-group discussions

Participants will draw from each other’s experience, rather than apply predefined models.

Duration:

• 3 hours, including short breaks to ensure maximum engagement and effective learning absorption.

Who should take this course

• This session is intended for leaders and professionals who have a mandate to lead and/or implement significant change initiatives, seeking good conceptual foundations, illustrated with examples from lived experience, practical advice on building competencies, and a safe space for discussion.

Special Offers

Take advantage of these exclusive discounts available when registering for IOG courses:

1. Group Course Discount: Register 3 or more colleagues together for the same course and receive 10% off your total registration fee.  
   Learning together builds team capacity—and helps you save on training costs.
2. Individual Bundle Discount: Register as an individual for 3 or more courses at the same time and save 10% on your total registration fee.
   Advance your professional development while maximizing value.

Facilitators

Karen Ellis is an engaging and inclusive senior leader and advisor with extensive public sector experience in strategic operations, policy, service delivery, driving systems change and improving culture. Over her public service career, she led diverse teams to significant achievements in 14 different organizations.   

Karen recently retired from the Ontario Public Service (OPS) after serving as Deputy Minister of Correctional Services for four years. There, she provided strategic direction to over 9,000 employees operating 25 Adult Correctional Institutions and 121 Probation and Parole Offices across Ontario, enabling significant modernization in a challenging and complex justice system. She was appointed concurrently as a provincial Public Service Commissioner and member of the Executive Development Committee providing strategic direction for human resources management. 

Following her federal public service career, and prior to joining the Ontario Public Service in 2020, Karen ran a consulting practice specializing in change leadership, executive development and advisory services.  

She is a Certified PROSCI Master Instructor in Change Management and delivered over 100 programs to senior executives and middle managers in the federal public service with consistently excellent reviews. She was the Program Co-Director for the Leading People for Results Program (two cohorts) through the School of Public Administration at the University of Ottawa in 2018 and 2019.  Karen is a skilled communicator, trainer and facilitator, and certified in 2023 as a Gallup StrengthsFinder Coach.     

Between 1997 and 2017, Karen held progressively more senior executive roles in the Federal Public Service. She built credibility and a reputation for getting things done with sound strategy and strong people leadership as an Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence (Infrastructure and Environment); Treasury Board (Public Service Renewal, Diversity, Official Languages, Values and Ethics); and at the Canada Revenue Agency (Assistant Commissioner, Ontario Operations). She was appointed Associate Deputy Minister at Natural Resources Canada in 2011; President of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario in 2013, and Associate Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada (2015).    

Karen holds three university degrees and is fluent in French.