Corporate Culture and Teams Guest Debbie Comis | HR07

Join host Susan Ney and her guest Debbie Comis as they explore the topic of team dynamics within corporate culture: what it takes to build and keep vibrant teams - ones that most of us wish to work within, the impact of team behaviour on employee engagement, working within cross-departmental teams, and how “great” teams can effectively manage change.  

About the Guest – Debbie Comis

Debbie retired from her role as CAO at the City of Parksville in 2019. She has worked in senior management roles within the local government sector for 38 years. One of her proudest accomplishments, as a department head, was to transition a previously dis-functional department to one that is still talked about today; a “wow” team. She has experienced the stages teams work through over time as they become their best version. She is acutely aware of what is required within our organizations to create the kinds of teams and work environments that engage people and make work a positive experience.

 Debbie spent almost a decade at the City of Parksville on Vancouver Island, B.C, first as the Director of Administrative Services and then as the Chief Administrative Officer. Prior to this move, Debbie held the City Clerk position at the City of Burnaby for almost 24 years, and the Deputy City Clerk position at the District of Mackenzie, B.C., for 7 years. 

Debbie is a life-long advocate of continuing education and following her graduation from BCIT and University of Victoria spent years studying team building, corporate culture and employee motivation. She served as the Chair of the Local Government Management Legislative Committee contributing to development of the BC Community Charter Act, the Elections Committee writing the Elections Best Practices Guide for local government elections in BC and as President of the Local Government Management Association of BC. 

If you wish to contact Debbie, she can be reached at debbiecomis@telus.net

About the Host:

Susan has worked with people all her life. As a human resource professional, she has specialized in all aspects of employment, from hiring to retirement. She got her start as a national representative for a large Canadian union. After pursuing an undergrad degree in business administration, Susan transitioned to HR management, where she aspired to bring both employee and management perspectives to her work. She retired from her multi-decade career in HR to pursue writing and consulting, and to be able, in her words, to “colour outside the lines.” She promises some fun and lots of learning through this podcast series.  

Susan is also the author of the book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Training.

If you wish to contact Susan, she can be reached through any of the following:

Website:     www.effectingchangefromwithin.com

Email:         susangney@gmail.com

Linked In:    www.linkedin.com/in/susan-ney-197494

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.ney.5/

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And if you are interested in Susan’s book Leadership Inside Out: Effecting Change from Within, it is available on Amazon