Joan Butterworth is a leadership educator with almost 15 years experience developing processes and programming centred on leadership development and student engagement integrating to inclusivity, experiential learning and empowerment. She is part of a great team called Campus Life & Engagement which is part of Student Services at McGill University. She has been combining her expertise in education, training and theatrical improvisation with leadership development, emotional intelligence, community/team building and communication skills. She creates engaging interactive arts-based workshops which inspire positive creative expression, cognitive flexibility as well as intellectual exchanges and encourages participants to build on their own expertise and awareness in a collaborative environment. Currently she continues to design and develop active learning workshops focused on facilitation skills for various levels of expertise and experience within academic, administrative and research environments. 

Joan has degrees from McGill including a B.A. in English Literature as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Concordia. She has been active in Montreal theatre (from underground theatre to Fringe Festivals and main stage productions) for many years; she is also an avid improvisation champion, performing and teaching improv for over 25 years. She taught improvisation at Dawson’s Professional Theatre program in 2015 and gives improvisation workshops for actors and non-actors in the Montreal community. Her accessible approach to improvisation allows everyone to safely explore active learning through play, connecting to joy and creativity.