Meet Jessie Sutherland | Director of Intercultural Strategies and the founder of the award winning Belonging Matters Framework

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessie Sutherland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessie, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Vancouver, Canada. I was born into foster care and then adopted into a Scottish Canadian family. I went to French Immersion school and was very passionate about the world growing up. I went on to live and work across Canada, including Indigenous communities; Europe; the Middle East; various countries on the continent of Africa; Peru in South America; and the U.S.A. All these experiences taught me about the strengths, values and wisdom embedded in every culture. And the importance of worldviews in influencing how we see the world, our attitudes and behaviours. My early experience at birth and then later living in war zones and through epidemics taught me about inequities and human violence. I have come to understand that I am attuned to my own and others sense of belonging and this has motivated me in creating the Belonging Matters framework and processes to help others create cultures of belonging to address complex social problems.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am most proud of the work I do to support the voice, dignity and leadership of those most impacted by social problems. I believe people with lived experience are the experts. To create conditions for their strengths, insights and leadership to create change in their communities is a great honour and privilege. Whether it is the Afghan elders that created a puppet show to address elder financial abuse; or women who experienced love fraud creating an awareness campaign; or a person who uses substances that shares his story to change the stigma and discrimination in the healthcare system… I am always deeply moved by their courage, brilliance and tenacity.

I have built my business over the years through collaborative partnerships, wonderful mentors and following my gut instincts. It has been difficult but wouldn’t change the experience and opportunity for anything. I was able to meet each challenge through a radical acceptance of the situation and then relying on my inner resources and outer network of generous and brilliant colleagues.

I have learned that Building Cultures of Belonging is the foundation and process of any meaningful change in the world. When we engage diversity, build belonging and foster collaboration, magic truly happens. A culture of true belonging, unleashes so many strengths and talents the world needs. Most importantly building belonging from the inside out, by being the change as we facilitate change, is the most effective way to create sustainable and lasting change.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well that depends on the friend and what I know they like, thier energy levels and the kind of holiday they want. If they want a restful holiday I would take them to the amazing beaches, spectacular gardens and delicious restaurants found throughout my region. If they wanted an active holiday I would include paddle boarding, kayaking trips and swimming in our beautiful lakes and oceans. As well as take them on gorgeous hikes through forests, up mountains, and by the water.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank all my ancestors as well as my family who passed along their resiliency and strengths. I have been greatly influenced my many Indigenous elders and scholars who have opened my eyes, heart and mind in ways that have changed me and how I relate to others forever. Studying with Hizkias Assefa, an Ethiopian scholar and practitioner in reconciliation changed the course of my life and and my career.

Website: www.InterculturalStrategies.ca

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