Sarah Neville

Director, Open Line Communications

A speaker, educator and diversity & inclusion specialist. Sarah helps people bridge difference through powerful, authentic communication.

Media

Power Up: Leadership Presence for Women 2014

In this interactive conference session, Sarah Neville empowers women to amp up their Leadership Presence to become more visible and influential at work. The session looks at the fundamentals of gender difference in communication, the power of moving beyond the "quest for confidence", and the elements of a powerful presence in any workplace communication from email, to meetings to presentations.

Why I'm Joining the Women's March on Washington

The Ottawa Citizen, January 18, 2017Print

URL: http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/neville-why-im-joining-the-womens-march-on-washington

I hate crowds and I’ve never been able to sleep on a bus. I’ve got looming client deadlines, and my family’s weekend is packed: hockey games, birthday parties and piles of laundry. So why would I opt to spend two restless nights on a charter bus with 53 strangers, headed to the Women’s March on Washington? I’m busy, I’m tired, my family needs me. But I’m going. I have to. Here’s why.

St. Clair College event entices girls to consider skilled trades, science, tech and engineering careers

Windsor Star, November 11, 2016Print

URL: http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/st-clair-college-event-entices-girls-to-consider-skilled-trades-science-tech-and-engineering-careers

Ninety-three per cent of parents in the United Kingdom would not support their daughter pursuing a career in engineering. Sarah Neville, the keynote speaker this week at the Build a Dream symposium, used what she called a shocking statistic to show some of the barriers to getting young women to consider careers in jobs that are mostly held by men. We have preconceived notions of what a police officer, a sheet metal worker or an engineer should look like. And those stereotypes and attitudes are communicated to young people by parents and educators. “

The Terrifying Effectiveness of Trump's Communication

The Huffington Post, August 18, 2016Online

URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/shari-graydon/donald-trump-communications_b_11572764.html

As professional communicators who advise others on how to improve their ability to connect with audiences, Shari Graydon and Sarah Neville have watched the astonishing ascension of political neophyte and insult-machine Donald Trump with dropped jaws. Here's their conversation about the lessons to be learned from his fearless communication style.

Is the choice to wear a niqab really a women's Issue?

Huffington Post, October 11, 2015Online

URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/sarah-neville/niqab-women-issue_b_8270062.html

Ladies: are you wondering what to wear? Fear not, Canadian politicians have got your back. A national dress code is on the way. No details yet, but rest assured, you'll be free to wear your crop top, thong underwear and six-inch heels. Just don't cover your face.

Biography

Sarah Neville is the founder and Principal of Open Line, and an acclaimed speaker, facilitator, and educator who specializes in helping individuals communicate with power, authority and authenticity – while bridging difference with others. With an M.Ed in Adult Learning focused on Workplace Equity, and a background as a professional actor, Neville combines rigorous research, irreverent humour, and an experiential and creative approach to learning. She has designed and delivered engaging educational experiences in virtually every sector, from small non-profits to Fortune 500 companies. Neville helps organizations bring diversity and inclusion policies into action. Her unique approach to bringing together diverse perspectives helps drive innovation. She assists employees in bridging differences – of culture, gender and generation - so everyone can be fully seen and heard in the workplace. An instructor at the Rotman School of Business, Executive Programs, Neville is also a sought-after speaker at conferences and events in North America.

Additional Titles and Affiliations

Instructor Rotman School of Business Executive Programs

External Consultant : BMO Financial Group

Faculty : Canadian Management Centre

Director Open Line Communications

Affiliate : Informed Opinions Limited

Past Talks

Speaker

Human Resources Professional Association, Conference

Toronto, January 20, 2016

Speaker

Administrative Professionals Conference 2016, Power Up: Leadership Presence for Women

Toronto, April 21, 2016

Speaker

Project World/Business Analyst World, Power Up: Leadership Presence for Women, Conference 2016

Toronto, May 25, 2016

Speaker

Performance and Learning Conference (CSTD)

Toronto, November 17, 2016

Speaker

Business Analyst World

Chicago, November 14, 2016

Speaker - The Business Case for Gender Balance

Build a Dream Conference and Symposium

Windsor Ontario, November 11, 2016

Speaker: Power Up: Leadership Presence for Women

Project World/Business Analyst World

Chicago, Illinois, November 14, 2016

Guest Speaker

CBC Radio Town Hall, Precarious Work forum

Toronto, February 26, 2016

Expertise

  • Workshop Facilitation
  • Women & Leadership
  • Team Building
  • Speaker Coaching
  • Speaker Training
  • Public Speaking
  • Presentation Skills Training
  • Personal Development
  • Leadership Training
  • Instructional Design
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Executive Coaching
  • Consultant and Client Development
  • Communication
  • Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace
  • Diversity and Bias in the Workplace
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Coaching
  • Change Management
  • Business & Leadership

Education/Éducation

  • University of Toronto
    Education
    M.Ed., 2011
  • University of Manitoba
    English, Theatre
    B.A.
  • University of British Columbia
    Intercultural Communication
    Certificate in Intercultural Communication (in progress)
  • Langara College, Studio 58
    Acting
    Certificate, Theatre