Archives for Change

Republished from Dalhousie University Alumni Posted: February 10, 2020

Erin Flaim is a passionate professional with over 25 years of connecting with and supporting people during times of change. She is a member of the Association of Change Management Professionals and holds Prosci® change management certification, a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and a certificate in advanced facilitation.

Degrees: BSc Recreation ’93, MPA(M) ’08

Current position: Senior Consultant and Change Management Practice Lead, Pivot Consulting Inc.

Tell us about your career so far

Since my first job as a summer student working in recreation, I have been dedicated to public service. My career has provided the opportunity to work in a variety of leadership roles in areas such as asset management, transportation and public works, public transit, corporate services and IT.

I have worked extensively in complex, frontline service areas of municipal government and in various emergency response situations, leading organizational change. When I left formal public service I had an instrumental role on the team establishing the municipality’s Performance Excellence office. Guiding organizations and individuals through complex change is my passion.

Tell us about your current job and how you got there

In 2018, I joined Pivot Consulting, a professional business consulting and digital transformation services firm, as a Senior Consultant leading the firm’s change management practice. I moved into consulting to make a difference doing the work I love. I chose Pivot because its culture and values matched mine.

I work specifically in the discipline of change management. It is what I love to do and every day I bring my skills and experience to guide, coach and support transformative change within organizations.

What part of your job are you the most passionate about?

People. Being able to support them through complex change is highly rewarding. I form genuine and lasting connections with my clients because I am able to demonstrate my passion and expertise in a way that is meaningful to them. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing people I work with embrace the change through open hearts, honest conversations and awareness of their impact.

What has MPA meant to your career?

I believe so strongly in public service and this degree was a match I knew would allow me to leverage my skillsets even further. Studying while working was highly beneficial as I was able to apply theory to actual practice. I have held senior leadership positions and found my passion as a result. The added benefit is the large network of individuals you develop and maintain contact with.

Any advice for future MPA students?

Take advantage of every experience you can and don’t limit yourself. The MPA program introduces you to many areas of study you will use throughout your career and is translatable to so many different areas, including in volunteer work. I believe strongly in supporting mental health services and, through the skills acquired from the program, I give back to my community through volunteer work with the Canadian Mental Health Association Halifax Dartmouth Branch.