Biography
My vision, mission, promise, and a brief overview of my expertise
M-J Michaud
Leadership Strategist and Executive Coach, Occupational Health Specialist, Speaker and Author
My Vision
I envision a workplace where managers and leaders work together to create organizations that combine collective performance, human development, and sustainable well-being, going beyond a focus solely on individual performance.
My Mission
To alleviate the isolation leaders face when making decisions in complex situations by enabling them to create environments conducive to collective performance and to act with fairness, ethics, and sound judgment.
My Promise
I am here to guide you, my dear leaders, through complex situations, helping you transform emotional pressure into clear decision-making and aligned leadership.
Biography
Published author of the book *80 Hours a Week: When Hyperperformance Becomes Toxic*, MJ is a consultant specializing in leadership, human resources, and psychological well-being in the workplace.
She has nearly 20 years of experience as a production leader in various technology sectors before transitioning into consulting. For more than fifteen years, she has been supporting organizations facing complex challenges related to leadership, workplace culture, and performance.
Her approach focuses on developing leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and executive presence to help leaders better navigate demanding and rapidly changing environments.
With a background in business administration (BAA), transactional analysis, change management, and applied neuroscience, and specializing in occupational mental health, she offers practical solutions tailored to the realities of organizations.
In an ever-changing workplace, MJ helps leaders develop essential qualities such as vision, ethics, resilience, and empathy, in order to combine sustainable performance with a healthy work environment.
Her approach strengthens leaders’ emotional intelligence and executive presence in high-pressure environments, enabling more human, aligned, and sustainable performance.
Achievements
large-scale programs
- In 2025, MJ created and launched a new program designed to build executive presence. She also created and implemented a program aimed at boosting self-esteem at a foundation whose mission is to support the recovery of people facing mental health challenges.
- Creation of a new program for leaders: A successful return to work.
- Deployment of EQ development programs for elite leaders and teams in aeronautics, IT and engineering.
- MJ has developed and successfully implemented a program designed to help leaders better support their employees when they face mental health challenges. “Manager to Manager” is aimed at more than 3,000 managers working at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
- At the same time, MJ was also responsible for implementing a peer support program for more than 25,000 employees , in collaboration with MHIC, a firm specializing in peer support.
Mental health action plan
- Helped the mental health champion and Director of the Integrity Services Branch (ISB) develop a strategic and adapted action plan for mental health.
- MJ created and designed a new survey and methodology (4 Phases) related to the implementation of the Canadian National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (CAN/CSA-Z1003-13) (the Standard). This approach was successfully used to help Sun Life Financial identify their mental health challenges and determine whether quick wins could be incorporated into their strategic plan.
- Using the new survey and methodology developed, she created an action plan for Peel Region paramedics to begin their journey towards the Standard.
conferences, workshops and...
- Conferences and workshops on "How to maintain your own psychologicalhealth at work" and "How to become a collaborativeleader " for the Canadian federal government, the special education sector, union units and various HR conferences.
- MJ revised and added material on emotions to the peer support training offered by MHIC. She also co-facilitated this training and was responsible for rolling out the program within the federal government, the Durham Police Service, and Peel Ambulance Services.
- VIP guest at the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace Gala, celebrating the evolution of workplace mental health in Canada. Mention received in the book: The Evolution of Workplace Mental Health in Canada, by Mary Ann Bayton and Leanne Fournier.
Conferences and Workshops
Hello and Welcome
Since 2009, MJ has been organizing conferences and workshops on leadership and mental health in the workplace. These interactive sessions are designed to help participants identify and manage their psychological stressors, enabling them to maintain their long-term mental well-being.
Through this learning, a healthy work environment is fostered, as it encourages the development of empathy and compassion among employees.
In addition, MJ, an expert in leadership and psychological well-being in the workplace, has a deep understanding of the operational challenges companies face. She offers tailored solutions that address the specific needs of employees and leaders, taking into account your organization’s goals and the constraints of your professional environment. These initiatives not only help improve individual mental health but also strengthen team cohesion and effectiveness, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive while achieving the company’s goals.
Leadership Strategist and Executive Coach,
Occupational Health Specialist, Speaker and Author
