Clarity under pressure. Stronger teams. Better conversations.
That’s what we help professionals and leaders build—through emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and communication skills designed for the moments that matter most.
In a world obsessed with technology, it’s easy to forget what drives every successful business: human connection. And connection happens in real conversations—the kind that get messy when pressure and emotions run high.
That’s where we come in.
We start where most professional development stops: in the heat of the moment. Because stress isn’t going anywhere.
Using a data-driven assessment, we help you uncover how stress impacts your self-awareness, communication, and decision-making—because that’s when old patterns and reactivity take over.
Our neuroscience-backed, proven conversation framework helps you stay calm, curious, and connected—so you can lead with clarity, build trust, and perform under pressure.
Because when stress hits, performance isn’t about what you know. It’s about how you show up.
And yes—we’re mother and daughter. This work is personal. Our mission is professional. Let’s reshape the way you lead—one powerful, curious conversation at a time.
Kathy is committed to a life of learning.
Kathy began her ‘post kids’ learning journey as an Occupational Therapist in industry. She developed policies and negotiated agreements between unions and management around disability management.
Focusing on returning employees and helping them stay at work when struggling, helped Kathy see the power of leadership. More importantly, how leadership styles impact productivity and employee health.
Wanting to better support leaders developing their skills, Kathy knew she had to do two things.
First, Kathy went back to school and completed her MA in Leadership and Training. Her focus was leadership styles and emotional intelligence of women in senior leadership positions.
Second, Kathy completed her Executive Coaching certification and Physician Coach certification. She knew above all that curiosity creates learning while coaching sustains it.
After completing her training Kathy was fortunate to be a part of a leadership development program. Kathy taught coaching communication skills to mid and senior-level leaders. She quickly recognized the need for simple and effective communication skills so leaders could have better conversations. Especially in high-stakes situations.
As a result, she and her daughter Kirsten founded the Institute Of Curiosity. They created a unique conversation framework rooted in curiosity so professionals can be curious not furious in any conversation. Even in conflict.
Kathy has published several articles on communication skills and ethics. She received the Prism Award from the ICF {Vancouver} for her work in healthcare supporting leaders in learning coaching communication skills.
Kathy lives in Kelowna with her husband where she enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking, and sharing delicious food and wine with family and friends.
Kirsten holds a BA from Dalhousie University, a certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University, and is a certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner through Learning In Action.
Kirsten began her career in the entertainment industry, working with renowned companies like Warner Music London UK, American Idol, and AOL across London, LA, and New York for over a decade.
After the birth of her first child, Kirsten decided to return to university to pursue her executive coaching certification, seeking to shift from production to a role focused on supporting people.
While coaching executives in the entertainment industry, Kirsten had two major realizations:
First, under stress, people often revert to communication patterns they learned growing up, even when they know those patterns are ineffective.
Second, most believe they communicate well, but their true abilities are tested during stressful moments, when words and reactions change in ways they don’t notice, impacting their performance.
Kirsten was excited to join her mom Kathy in founding the Institute Of Curiosity offering professionals skills & tools needed to navigate high-stakes conversations with confidence that drive meaningful change.
Kirsten is a TEDx speaker, a member of the International Coaching Federation {ICF}, and CPHR Industry Partner. She holds a Level 2 Certification in CBT Essentials from the Association for Psychological Therapies.
After 17 years in Los Angeles, Kirsten and her husband moved their two kids to Kelowna, BC, to give them a ‘normal’ life.
Kirsten is a curiosity nerd, wannabe chef, and adventurer who loves a full table, and all things design.
Speaking includes TEDx Trinity Bellwoods Women; University Of Toronto; University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology; Keynote Network of Independent School Parent Association Ontario, TO; Los Angeles Children’s Hospital Young Women Working Together Leadership Institute; Conference Of Independent Teachers Of English, TO; Keynote, CAPWHN Conference, Calgary; SoLS Leadership Conference ‘Leadership Communication’ panel, Victoria; Keynote, Coaching Summit 2015, Vancouver; Various private and public schools US & Canada.
Thrive Under Pressure – Build the Skills to Lead, Connect, and Perform When It Matters Most.
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