Strategy & Culture Conversations is a community for Alberta leaders who are creating thriving organizations and teams even in turbulent times. Together, we will explore topics like strategic planning, culture building, and leading transformation in a way that combines accountability, care, and courage. You'll hear from Trina McCarroll and senior leaders from across the province about their success stories and lessons learned.
Trina McCarroll, CPF, CPHR is the host of Strategy & Culture, an award-winning Facilitator, and the founder of McCarroll Consulting.
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EP 5: Building Thriving Teams Who Are Supported by Technology with Sam Jenkins from Punchcard Systems
Season 1 · Episode 5
Friday, October 10, 2025 • Duration 28:29
Join host Trina McCarroll as she sits down with Sam Jenkins, Managing Partner at Punchcard Systems, to explore how to create high-performing team cultures that are strengthened by technology. Sam shares insights into Punchcard’s human-centered approach to innovation—one that values alignment, iterative learning, and thriving teams over rigid plans and outputs. Together, they discuss how organizations succeed with intentional leadership, the power of small experiments to spark meaningful change, and how organizations can balance technological adoption with human needs to navigate today’s complex environments.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Digital transformation is about building teams, not just technology.
Alignment within teams is crucial for successful transformation.
Culture serves as the foundation for effective change management.
Small experiments can lead to significant organizational change.
Human-centered design is essential in technology implementation.
Iteration allows organizations to adapt and learn over time.
Leaders must balance the demands of change with employee well-being.
Saying no is just as important as saying yes to help focus on the most crucial key priorities.
Technology should enhance human capabilities, not replace them.
Continuous learning and curiosity are vital in modern organizations.
NEXT STEPS:
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00:00 Introduction to Digital Transformation and Strategy
02:38 Building Thriving Teams for Transformation
04:46 Linking Strategy to Measurable Outcomes
07:47 The Importance of Human-Centered Design
09:57 Radical Experimentation in Technology Projects
12:46 The Power of Iteration in Change Management
15:17 Navigating Complexity in Modern Organizations
18:41 Balancing Human Needs and Organizational Demands
22:26 Embracing Digital Transformation with Culture in Mind
25:54 Starting Small: The Key to Successful Change
26:46 Overcoming the Fear of Falling Behind in Technology Adoption
ABOUT SAM JENKINS:
Sam Jenkins is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Punchcard Systems, an Edmonton-born digital product and innovation studio with staff in communities across Canada. Guided by his personal mantra of “Let’s Build What’s Next,” he leads senior, AI-enabled teams that help organizations across North America design, ship, and scale modern technology platforms. Rooted locally, Sam serves as Board Chair of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Winspear Centre for Music, where he’s championing the expansion to add a new concert hall—building civic capacity while growing global reach.
Curious to find out more about technology adoption or Punchcard Systems? Check out their website or connect with Sam on LinkedIn.
ABOUT TRINA MCCARROLL:
Trina McCarroll, CPF, CPHR helps leaders build thriving, high-performing teams through strategic planning, culture building, and transformation journeys. The team at McCarroll Consulting specializes in supporting municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and purpose-driven organizations across Alberta. Drawing on years of experience in facilitation and organizational transformation, Trina brings practical insight, curiosity, and courage to every conversation.
Strategy and Culture Conversations explores how senior leaders across Alberta navigate complexity, make intentional choices, and create teams where people can contribute their best work towards organizational success.
EP 4: Insights in Integrating Strategy and Culture with Lowell Befus from ATB
Season 1 · Episode 4
Friday, October 10, 2025 • Duration 24:43
In this episode, Trina McCarroll sits down with Lowell Befus, Regional Sales Director for ATB Agriculture, to explore the interplay between strategy and culture at every level of an organization. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in agriculture finance, Lowell shares how a clearly defined culture aligned with strategic goals can empower employees and strengthen accountability in high-performing teams. Together, they discuss the balance between care and accountability in leadership, the role of communication and feedback, and how intentional alignment between strategy and culture leads to exceptional organizational results.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Strategy decisions can be both macro and micro, depending on the level of the organization.
Accountability is crucial for team success and individual responsibility.
Culture is foundational to employee satisfaction and retention.
Leaders must create an environment where employees feel valued and heard.
Feedback should be encouraged and seen as a tool for improvement.
Work-life balance is essential for employee productivity and mental health.
Building relationships with employees fosters trust and open communication.
Culture and strategy must align for organizational success.
Leaders should view their employees as customers to enhance their experience which creates greater success for the organization.
NEXT STEPS:
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EP 3: Collaborative Strategic Planning with Deb Cryderman from Airdrie Public Library
Season 1 · Episode 3
Friday, October 10, 2025 • Duration 26:05
In this conversation, Trina McCarroll talks with Deb Cryderman, Director at Airdrie Public Library, to explore their innovative approach to creating a strategic Plan of Service. Deb describes her vision for a responsive and flexible framework that aligns with Airdrie's rapid growth and changing community needs. Drawing upon community and staff input, Trina and Deb described the collaborative strategic planning process the team used to position the library for growth in their expanded location in the new multi-use facility, Inspire.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The strategic planning process aimed for a fresh and flexible approach.
Community engagement was a key focus in developing the plan.
Staff involvement was crucial for gathering insights and ideas.
The vision and mission were shaped by collective input from staff and patrons.
Prioritizing community needs requires careful consideration and flexibility.
Collaboration with other organizations is essential for maximizing resources.
The plan serves as a communication tool to raise awareness about library services.
The library aims to be a community space that fosters connections.
The legacy of the plan is to ensure ongoing community involvement in library services.
NEXT STEPS:
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EP 2: Building Culture Through Intentional Values with Melanie Ducholke from AFSC
Season 1 · Episode 2
Friday, October 10, 2025 • Duration 32:47
In this episode, Trina McCarroll talks with Melanie Ducholke, Chief People Officer at the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), about the dynamic relationship between organizational culture and strategy. Melanie shares the important processes undertaken by AFSC to redefine their core values, align them with organizational strategy, and implement them. Learn how AFSC’s dedication to purposeful values has impacted both employees and clients and contributed to their success.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Values should resonate with team members to be effective.
Courageous conversations are essential for a healthy culture.
Leadership plays a crucial role in embedding values.
Assuming positive intent can transform communication.
A people-first approach enhances client service.
Data-driven insights can reshape organizational culture.
Values should be actionable and relatable.
Engagement surveys help gauge cultural health.
Creating a shared vocabulary fosters better relationships.
NEXT STEPS
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00:00 Developing Organizational Culture and Values
EP 1: Strategy & Culture Conversations Across Alberta
Season 1 · Episode 1
Friday, October 10, 2025 • Duration 08:00
In this inaugural episode of our new podcast, Trina McCarroll discusses the importance of integrating strategy, culture, and transformation to build high-performing teams that deliver greater impact. She emphasizes that many organizations fail to achieve their goals because they treat these elements as separate initiatives. Through real-world examples and insights from across Alberta, Trina highlights the need for intentional leadership and courage in developing thriving organizations.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Too many organizations build plans that look great on paper but never deliver the impact they hoped for.
High-performing teams need to operate within thriving organizations.
It takes courage to develop strategy, collaborating with your team to make intentional choices.
When strategy, culture and transformation are approached in silos, things begin to break down.
You cannot lead strategy, culture, and transformation in isolation; they inform one another.
Building thriving organizations starts with three overlapping pillars: coherent strategy, connected culture, and compelling transformation.
Momentum builds when people see what they're part of and why it matters.
Leaders must navigate uncertainty and shifting expectations while helping teams adapt and deliver.
NEXT STEPS:
1. Leave a review for Strategy & Culture Conversations here
Introducing Strategy & Culture Conversations with Trina McCarroll
Sunday, September 7, 2025 • Duration 00:56
Being a leader today isn’t easy, especially in Alberta’s public sector. You’re tasked with driving results while also supporting people, navigating complexity, and shaping a culture that lasts.
That’s where Strategy & Culture Conversations comes in. Hosted by consultant and facilitator Trina McCarroll, this new podcast is designed for senior leaders who want to create thriving organizations with courage and clarity.
Each episode brings you:
Practical strategies for strategic planning and culture building
Real-world transformation stories from Alberta leaders
Fresh perspectives to help you lead with both care and accountability
Join us as we courageously shape the future of work in Alberta—together.
EP 6: Navigating Municipal Council Strategic Planning with Catherine McCook from the City of Beaumont
Episode 6
Friday, October 17, 2025 • Duration 26:18
In this episode of Strategy and Culture, Trina McCarroll speaks with Catherine McCook, a City Councillor and mayoral candidate, about the intricacies of municipal strategic planning.
They discuss the importance of Council establishing a clear strategic direction, the role of community engagement, and the significance of strong leadership in implementing strategies. The conversation also explores common pitfalls in strategic planning, the need for effective communication, and the importance of building trust among Council, Administration, and the community.
Trina and Catherine highlight the necessity of alignment and collaboration in setting and pursuing municipal priorities—and how these strategies ultimately translate into greater community well-being.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Municipal strategic planning is crucial for setting a clear direction following the election.
Effective strategic planning retreats can help prioritize ideas and align Council members.
Community input can be embedded in the planning process.
Decision-making frameworks help guide Council discussions and trade-offs.
Organizational culture influences how well strategies are implemented.
Building trust is an ongoing process that requires open communication.
The community's strength lies in its people, not just the plans.
14:15 Balancing Accountability and Care in Leadership
18:36 Balancing Strategy and Culture
22:50 The Role of Leadership in Employee Experience
22:57 Adapting Strategy to Day-to-Day Operations
22:57 Shifting Organizational Culture
23:00 Final Thoughts and Advice
ABOUT LOWELL BEFUS:
Lowell Befus is the Regional Agriculture Director North Central Alberta for ATB and has worked for over 20 years in the agriculture finance industry. He combines his passion for ag, finance, and leadership together to best serve his employees and customers.
Learn more about ATB here or connect with Lowell on LinkedIn.
ABOUT TRINA MCCARROLL:
Trina McCarroll, CPF, CPHR helps leaders build thriving, high-performing teams through strategic planning, culture building, and transformation journeys. The team at McCarroll Consulting specializes in supporting municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and purpose-driven organizations across Alberta. Drawing on years of experience in facilitation and organizational transformation, Trina brings practical insight, curiosity, and courage to every conversation.
Strategy and Culture Conversations explores how senior leaders across Alberta navigate complexity, make intentional choices, and create teams where people can contribute their best work towards organizational success.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Strategic Planning at Airdrie Public Library
02:49 Engagement Process and Community Involvement
05:34 Vision, Mission, and Values Development
08:15 Implementation and Future Directions
10:59 Collaboration and Resource Management
13:40 Communication and Community Awareness
15:53 Legacy and Future Impact
ABOUT DEB CRYDERMAN:
Deb Cryderman is an experienced Director with a demonstrated history of success in the library industry. She is known for creating dramatic increases in library use by responding directly to the needs and interests of the communities she serves. Deb brings expertise in nonprofit organizations, public libraries, strategic planning, library studies, and library instruction. A strong and dedicated professional, she holds a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta and a Library and Information Technology diploma from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Learn more about Airdrie Public Library here or connect with Deb on LinkedIn.
ABOUT TRINA MCCARROLL:
Trina McCarroll, CPF, CPHR helps leaders build thriving, high-performing teams through strategic planning, culture building, and transformation journeys. The team at McCarroll Consulting specializes in supporting municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and purpose-driven organizations across Alberta. Drawing on years of experience in facilitation and organizational transformation, Trina brings practical insight, curiosity, and courage to every conversation.
Strategy and Culture Conversations explores how senior leaders across Alberta navigate complexity, make intentional choices, and create teams where people can contribute their best work towards organizational success.
01:18 Linking Strategy and Culture
04:13 Implementing Values in Daily Operations
06:52 Fostering Positive Communication and Relationships
09:51 Client-Centric Approach and Adaptability
21:04 Digital First Mindset
22:55 Values in Action
25:24 Engaging Employees with Values
26:39 Leadership and Culture
28:06 Defining Values and Behaviors
30:52 Courageous Conversations
32:02 Challenges in Implementation
ABOUT MELANIE DUCHOLKE:
With over 25 years of experience in the public industry and more than 20 years in leadership positions, Melanie brings a wealth of knowledge and a diverse perspective to her current role. Her extensive background includes teaching business courses, which has further enriched her understanding of organizational dynamics and leadership.
Melanie is a strong advocate for continual learning and development, always eager to seize
opportunities to learn from others. She is a collaborative leader who believes that success is achieved through building strong relationships across all levels of the business. Her ability to motivate teams to work together towards common goals, while ensuring individual recognition needs are met, is a testament to her exceptional leadership and communication skills.
Melanie holds a Bachelor of Education and an MBA. She is certified as a Human Resource Management Professional and a Supply Chain Management Professional, and she also holds an EQ360 certification. These qualifications, combined with her practical experience, make her a highly effective and respected leader.
Learn more about AFSC here or connect with Melanie on Linked In.
ABOUT TRINA MCCARROLL:
Trina McCarroll, CPF, CPHR helps leaders build thriving, high-performing teams through strategic planning, culture building, and transformation journeys. The team at McCarroll Consulting specializes in supporting municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and purpose-driven organizations across Alberta. Drawing on years of experience in facilitation and organizational transformation, Trina brings practical insight, curiosity, and courage to every conversation.
Strategy and Culture Conversations explores how senior leaders across Alberta navigate complexity, make intentional choices, and create teams where people can contribute their best work towards organizational success.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Strategy and Culture Conversations
02:13 The Three Pillars of Thriving Organizations
04:59 Integrating Strategy, Culture, and Transformation
05:58 Looking Ahead: Future Episodes and Reflections
ABOUT TRINA MCCARROLL:
Trina McCarroll, CPF, CPHR helps leaders build thriving, high-performing teams through strategic planning, culture building, and transformation journeys. The team at McCarroll Consulting specializes in supporting municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and purpose-driven organizations across Alberta. Drawing on years of experience in facilitation and organizational transformation, Trina brings practical insight, curiosity, and courage to every conversation.
Strategy & Culture Conversations explores how senior leaders across Alberta navigate complexity, make intentional choices, and create teams where people can contribute their best work towards organizational success.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Municipal Strategic Planning
02:49 The Importance of Strategic Planning for Councils
06:38 Effective Strategies in Strategic Planning Retreats
09:24 Common Pitfalls in Strategic Planning
10:18 The Role of Community Voices in Planning
13:23 Measuring Progress in Strategic Plans
16:19 Community Well-Being and Local Needs
18:37 The Role of Leadership in Strategic Planning
21:37 Building Trust and Communication
24:06 Collaborative Approaches to Community Development
25:36 Final Thoughts on Strategic Planning
ABOUT CATHERINE MCCOOK
Catherine McCook is a Mayoral candidate for the City of Beaumont, a leadership and performance coach, and a board member of the Riseup Society of Alberta. With a background in Criminal Justice and training in Interviewing and Interrogations, she brings a sharp, multidimensional lens to leadership and system change.
As the founder of The Elan Project, Catherine empowers women, supports leaders, and helps organizations build people-first cultures that drive engagement and innovation. A fierce advocate for women in leadership and workplace well-being, she challenges outdated systems, promotes equity, and redefines success to prioritize people over hierarchy.
Learn more about her company, The Elan Project, here or connect with Catherine on LinkedIn.
ABOUT TRINA MCCARROLL:
Trina McCarroll, CPF, CPHR helps leaders build thriving, high-performing teams through strategic planning, culture building, and transformation journeys. The team at McCarroll Consulting specializes in supporting municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and purpose-driven organizations across Alberta. Drawing on years of experience in facilitation and organizational transformation, Trina brings practical insight, curiosity, and courage to every conversation.
Strategy and Culture Conversations explores how senior leaders across Alberta navigate complexity, make intentional choices, and create teams where people can contribute their best work towards organizational success.
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