Johanne Pelletier

Startup Pitch Expert | Science & Storytelling Coach | Director, Public Engagement (Communications) at Concordia University

I work in communications at Concordia University in Montreal, where I develop strategic partnerships that promote research. I also teach and coach storytelling concepts, helping students, faculty and startups better master sharing the complexity of their work.  

Much of my career has been in higher education and the public sector. I began as an aspiring academic interested in long term data preservation. This led me to leadership roles in culture, education and communications.  I believe we can all grow our communication skills to better tell the story of our work - and I look forward to sharing the methods I have developed to storify your science with students, faculty and colleagues.

• What motivates you to share your expertise?

  I think the path I followed is characterized by a growth mindset - continuing to learn and grow new competences is a practice I have learned from mentors in my careers. When I teach storytelling - or how to talk about the complexity of our work - I am also learning and adapting to my audience. I really genuinely enjoy seeing students grow their own communications, their own voice - the goal is not to sound like me but to find your own authentic voice.

  My approach to teaching communication skills? I believe its a muscle and for sure it can feel difficult or awkward at first when we change or learn a new way of presenting our ideas. Just like that first time we try a new exercise....but I believe its a worthwhile investment of time....to grow your voice.

• Why is adopting an entrepreneurial mindset valuable?

  I came to entrepreneurial learning very late in my career and very much wish I had learned all of this earlier. Whatever you do with your journey, entrepreneurial thinking will serve you well - way of thinking, skill set, mindset - it can all help whether you remain in academic -research, go out on your own OR do both.