Jen Archer (she/her)

Business and Program Manager | MA in Leadership, BSW, RSW

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-archer/

These are some of the ways I lead, collaborate, and tend to the spaces I’m part of:

Inviting complexity and care into decision-making by listening deeply, naming tensions, and seeking shared benefit
Balancing precision and playfulness—bringing thoughtful planning and improvisational energy to my work
Operating with grounded integrity, attending to ripple effects and holding respect for those impacted
Following things through with reliability and care, ensuring outcomes are thoughtful and high quality

Some of the experiences, places, and perspectives that have shaped my leadership and learning:

10+ years in the nonprofit sector, including leadership roles such as Manager of Housing and Research at Discovery House
Education Services Manager with Willow Brocke & Associates, supporting adult learning in teams and leadership
Original research exploring decolonizing mindsets and the impact of urgency and scarcity on leadership
Lived experience with neurodivergence, shifting identities, and evolving beliefs—offering insight into team dynamics and change
Nurturing reciprocity and reverence through a connection with land—especially the cedars near Royal Roads, on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples

MA in Leadership, 2024 – Royal Roads University (original research on decolonizing mindsets)
Bachelor of Social Work, 2020 – University of Calgary (Registered Social Worker, ACSW)
Foundations of Coaching, 2023 – Coach Social Change

I find quiet joy in winter walks to the Bow River, even in -35°C, to visit a familiar community of geese—it always feels like coming home.
I’ve been off social media since 2018, so the most-used app on my phone is the Weather Network (I’m oddly proud of knowing the wind gust forecast).
A tree is tattooed on my forearm as a reminder to keep growing—regardless of outcome—a life lesson I’ll keep learning for years to come.