I’m a retired police officer with Canada’s National police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). I have written three books, my first publication was WOMEN NOT WANTED, about my 20-year career and how I dealt with workplace conflict, bullying and sexual harassment. Since retiring I work as a professional educator and consultant focusing on workplace conflict and helping others ‘find their voice’.
Taking the negative and flipping to a positive to provide education and empowerment for those who are struggling with similar workplaces. I have come to learn that we have choices in life and that by doing nothing, saying nothing then nothing changes. Getting out of my own comfort zone, pushing through fear, creating a self-care toolkit was the beginning of reclaiming the power of my voice. Creating Star Agassi Consulting was part of giving back and sending out seeds of hope for victims of bullying, harassment, and other conflicts. Leadership, conflicts are woven into the fabric that has a direct impact on our mental health.
I’m frequently called upon as a subject matter expert by media and government organizations and was part of two Federal government and Senate reports focusing on sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace provided testimony and written recommendations for changes in the RCMP.
I graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a degree in Conflict Resolution Studies in 2012 and in 2015 presented at TEDx Winnipeg on ‘Tools to Survive Workplace Bullying’.
I have presented for Universities, SHEDay, RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa, Canadian Conference Board of Canada, women’s groups both local and international on the importance of workplace conflict, leadership and mental health.
In November 2017, I received the Canada 150 Senate Medal from Senator Grant Mitchell, for my continued efforts at helping others speak up about harassment. On October 16, 2020, I was recognized by MLA Derek Johnson in the Manitoba Legislature for advocating about mental health and continuing to address workplace bullying.
I was part of the Documentary by John Walker a Canadian and International Film director that focuses on ‘bullying’, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in May of 2019.
My motto ‘If no one says anything then nothing changes. Everyone deserves to feel safe at home and in
the workplace.’
Service Achievements
Royal Canadian Mounted Police 20 year good service Plaque
Author
‘If no one says anything then nothing changes’, was the motive for writing ‘Women Not Wanted’ in 2007, 2nd edition 2010,which details my experiences as a female officer, the difficulties encountered with sexual harassment, discrimination and workplace conflict.
Lake Agassi Murders, was my first work of fiction is a mystery about a small town police officer search for a killer.
Find Your Voice – surviving workplace conflict in 2016, which details the tools and strategies I created over the years to deal with workplace conflict.
Part of book sales and speaking engagements is donated to charity. “Think global, act local.”
I am also a contributor to the book: Sink, Swim or Float: How to survive the tidal waves of life http://www.prowoman.net/propub/authors/authors.htm
Keynote Speaker
Some proud highlights, you can find more examples on my Work with Me page.
- Presented at SHEday Manitoba January 2018
- University of Winnipeg ‘Workplace Violence’ 2012- 2018
- Toastmaster in the Arts of Gimli 2013 – 2016
- Presented at the IAWP Regional Conference Las Vegas March 2014
- Keynote speaker with Legal Education and Action Fund, LEAF Manitoba 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, WISE Manitoba 2016 focusing on workplace conflict for high school students.
- VOW – Voices of Women New York Women’s Conference New York City, 2010,
- IWRC – Interlake Women’s Resource Centre Board Member 2011 – 2014
- People to People Delegate to Israel 2010 peopletopeople.com
Education
University of Winnipeg, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Major in Conflict Resolution Studies, Graduate 2012
Red River College Winnipeg Human Resource Management (Honours), Management Development (Honours) 2002
Proud Member
- IAWP International Association of Women Police.
- CAPS Manitoba Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.
- Gimli Toastmasters in the Arts
- RCMP Veterans Association
You can find me at
https://www.instagram.com/sherrybensonpodolchuk
https://linkedin.com/in/sherrybensonpodolchuk