Getting Ready for Your Real Life’s Work: An ‘Inspired Conversation’ with Don Simpson

How do you get ready for your real life’s work?

This highly interactive DI Seminar will involve an ‘Inspired Conversation’ with Don Simpson, PhD, Chief Explorer of the Renaissance Expedition; Senior Fellow, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research; and 2024 Order of Canada Recipient. The conversation will be moderated by Harvey Skinner, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Psychology & Global Health; and Senior Fellow, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

Format: opening 45 minutes of questions and reflections between Don and Harvey; followed by 45 minutes of open questions from the audience, especially from the Global Health doctoral students in attendance.

Speaker Profile

Don Simpson, PhD. Chief Explorer of the Renaissance Expedition and Senior Fellow, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

Don Simpson is Canada’s greatest unknown treasure. For 7 decades he has wandered the world as an explorer, working as an educator, entrepreneur, administrator, researcher, program designer and mentor. 

Don stands out - not just because of the longevity of his work or the passion he brings to every project - but because of his uncommon capacity to listen, collaborate, communicate and connect. He has an amazing ability to absorb vast amounts of information in various forms, bring meaning to it and turn it into a story that attracts everyone who hears it.  

Don is the supreme question asker, the challenger, the “why-not? er”. You won’t find Don as the President, Founder or Chair, but when you dig deeper around some of Canada’s most prominent individuals and initiatives, you will ALWAYS find him “in the picture”. He creates conditions under which things happen.

Don’s work has consistently fostered inclusivity, diversity, and innovation. In the 1960s, he co-founded the African Students Federation, enabling 350 African students to study in Canada, and helped establish Operation Crossroads Africa in Canada, building meaningful international relationships. During the 1970s, as Executive Director of Western University’s Office of International Education, he pioneered cross-cultural learning innovations like the Cross-Cultural Learning Centre, now a thriving charity.

Don also supported First Nations education, co-chairing initiatives that decentralized administration and established Arctic College. In global development, he led the IDRC’s Global Education Program, creating networks to solve education challenges collaboratively.

In the 1990s, Don transformed the Banff Centre into a hub for innovation management and led Alberta’s Roundtables, engaging 20,000 citizens to shape an innovation-driven economy. His Challenge Dialogue System©️ empowered others to tackle complexity, leaving a legacy of collaborative problem-solving across diverse fields.

In 1992, Don led a team to create the “Innovation Expedition” as a new style, virtual, global, values driven, business network for inspiring and implementing transformational change. The network focused on mentoring leaders to unleash innovations in various sectors, with a particular interest in initiatives that included a goal of reducing social and economic injustices. He co-created globally tested, knowledge products for driving improved performance, as part of a comprehensive program conceptualized under the theme of “Modern-Day Renaissance Leadership”.

Since 2008, Don has chronicled these experiences in The Global Odyssey LogBook series—15 volumes highlighting Renaissance Leadership concepts through case studies and training programs.

As a “Storyteller with A Purpose,” Don’s mission is to share the principles of Renaissance Leadership, spotlight innovations by our Renaissance Pathfinders, and inspire others to embrace the mindset of a modern Renaissance leader.

Harvey Skinner PhD, is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology & Global Health; Senior Fellow, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research; and was Founding Dean of York University's Faculty of Health (2006-2016).

Harvey is placed in the Top 2% World Scientists by the Stanford University worldwide analysis with respect to research citations and impact metrics. Currently, Harvey co-leads the Wellness Impact Lab at the Dahdaleh Institute. At a personal level, Harvey maintains a daily wellness practice of Mindfulness Meditation and Qi Gong. His passion is ‘healing ourselves, healing our world’.

Register below and join us on Wednesday, January 29, at 1 p.m. ET

RSVP