Cocreating Empowered Leadership Outcomes in BC

In 2024, as part of her Master’s of Leadership *thesis at Royal Roads University, Kaeli completed a community-based participatory action research initiative that placed the voices, expertise, and lived experience of adults with foster care backgrounds at its center. Guided by trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, the project engaged a collaborative inquiry team, leadership advisors, and community partners to explore systemic barriers, elevate leadership potential, and co-develop strategies that promote empowerment, resilience, and meaningful community impact.

This work led to the formation of the Former Youth in Care Community of Practice and demonstrates how inclusive, co-created research can transform lived experience into actionable leadership outcomes and drive sustainable systemic change.

*According viurrspace.ca’s statistical data under Top City Views, the thesis has been read by 853+ people, all over the world. Top countries: Canada, United States, and Ireland.

  • The research was guided by the student researcher, supported by a thesis supervisor, academic committee, and a collaborative inquiry team with expertise in child and youth care, participatory action research, and political and community leadership.

    Participants, key informants, and subject matter experts shaped the inquiry through community dialogues, reflective circles, and participatory action processes that ensured ethical rigor and honoured lived experience.

    Together, these contributors illuminated systemic barriers and co-generated pathways for healing, leadership, and meaningful systems change, work that continues to guide the CoP today.

  • As the student researcher, Kaeli Rose Sort designed and led the full inquiry process, bringing together the thesis supervisor, academic committee, inquiry team, subject matter experts, and key informants, while also recruiting and supporting participant engagement. Her leadership and community-rooted scholarship earned the Sheila Verwey Humanitarian Award and the BC Graduate Scholarship, along with nominations for the Governor General’s Gold Medal and the Royal Roads University Alumni Community Changemaker Award.

  • The inquiry team for Kaeli’s leadership thesis helped guide and strengthen the research.

    Comprised of leaders in child and youth care, participatory action research, political leadership, and community engagement, the team worked alongside Kaeli to ensure the study was trauma-informed, inclusive, and firmly grounded in the lived experiences of adults who had been in foster care. Their contributions included shaping the research design, co-developing and testing the research methods, supporting analysis, and upholding ethical, culturally humble and responsive practice while amplifying community voices.

    Tiffany Hill (PhD Student) guided the participatory action research design and methodology; Melanie Mark (retired politician) guided the survey and ensured Indigenous and community perspectives were centered and culturally grounded; and Natalie Harper (industry leader) provided leadership insight and expertise in trauma-informed practice.

  • Dr. Shawn Y. Holmes served as the thesis supervisor, bringing expertise in trauma-informed practice, anti-racist and anti-oppressive leadership, and community-engaged scholarship.

    Dr. Phil Cady served on the thesis committee, contributing his knowledge in social work, organizational leadership, systems thinking, and transformative research and leadership practices.

Read the Thesis