Matt Youens

Agnostic, Blogger, Business adviser, Concerned citizen, Idea generator

http://www.linkedin.com/in/mattyouens

Three words: leadership, communication and community.

Digital communications, Employee Relations, Human Resource Management (HRM), Performance management, Public Speaking

In 2006, I followed my wife to a remote northern Alberta community I had never heard of - and it turned out to be the second best decision of my life (behind marrying my wife --> insert wife eye-roll here). I was born in Calgary, AB, but spent my childhood years in Australia and Indonesia. In Australia I learned to walkabout and poke interesting holes with sticks (looking for spiders or snakes). In Indonesia I learned what it was like to live in a gated community surrounded by extreme poverty. Living in Canada, I’ve learned how lucky we truly are and believe we have a greater responsibility to make this world a better place. I’m a 100% Optimist most days - some days days my glass is only half-full, I must admit - and I agree with Peter Diamandis in that abundance is our future. We’re living in an amazing time and I think we can handle the challenges ahead of us if we are able to work together and approach our problems creatively. TEDxFortMcMurray helps set this path.

Accents. I seem to have a good "ear" for accents, and when travelling, I find myself slipping in to the local brogue.