Building Human Skills for a Changing World
Universal prevention and capacity building create the foundation for lifelong mental health, well-being, and thriving. By strengthening the social, emotional, and relationship skills of every child, youth, and adult, we help build healthier schools, stronger workplaces, and more connected communities.
As AI and emerging technologies transform how we learn, work, and live, the skills that make us uniquely human have never been more important. Empathy, emotional intelligence, communication, collaboration, creativity, adaptability, ethical decision-making, and the ability to build meaningful relationships are essential for success in today's changing world.
Through evidence-informed professional learning, coaching, research, and implementation support, we help leaders, schools, organizations, and communities develop the human skills needed to navigate complexity, strengthen relationships, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Overview
Our Origin Story
David Werklund grew up on a farm in Northern Alberta before becoming one of Canada's most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Dave attributes much of his success not only to hard work and opportunity, but to the social and emotional competencies he developed throughout his life, qualities such as integrity, trust, resilience, communication, empathy, and the ability to build meaningful relationships.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform how we live, work, learn and lead, the qualities that make us uniquely human have never been more important. While technology will continue to shape the future, our capacity for empathy, ethical decision making, collaboration, creativity, resilience, and meaningful relationships will define how we thrive. These essential human capacities should not be left to chance, they need to be intentionally nurtured in every child and young person.
Inspired by this vision, the Werklund Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence exists to help every child, adult and leader develop the social, emotional, and human skills needed to thrive in school, in life, and in an increasingly complex world. We believe that education offers the greatest opportunity to reach all children and create lasting, generational impact.
Working alongside system leaders, educators, students, families, workplaces, and communities, the Institute supports the implementation of evidence-informed approaches that foster social and emotional learning, emotional intelligence, mental well-being, belonging, resilience, and human flourishing. Together, we are helping create schools where every child can realize their potential, develop meaningful relationships, and contribute positively to their communities, while also supporting organizations to cultivate leaders and workplaces where technological excellence is strengthened by essential human capacities.
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, we believe the future belongs to those who pair technological excellence with the uniquely human capacities of empathy, emotional intelligence, ethical leadership, collaboration, resilience, adaptability, and meaningful connection.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Gina Cherkowski
Executive Director
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Evan Hu
Chief Operating Officer
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Drew Bowman
Director of Operations
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Loriann Stienwand
Menta Health in Schools Specialist
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Dr. Molly Lawlor
Director of Research and Development
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Jack Cochran
Director of Finance
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Carman Murray
Well-being Education Specialist
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Julie Sleilaty
Well-being Education Specialist
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Sunney Weir
Events Coordinator
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Sophie Bresciani
Well-being Education Specialist
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Chris Smeaton
Educational Leadership Specialist
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Dr. Gail Markin
Workplace Well-being Specialist
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Christine Preece
SEL Specialist
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Joyce Lam
Operations and Communications Coordinator
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Gabriel Araish
Marketing and Technology Advisor
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Board of Directors
Mark Werklund
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Evan Hu
Director
Kathleen Newson
Director
Brian Milne
Director
Dr. Gina Cherkowski
Director
Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Andy Hargreaves
Dr. Kim Schonert-Reichl
Kate Arthur
Dr. Julia Mahfouz
Our Values and Culture
The Werklund Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence is a national non-profit advancing mental health, well-being, social and emotional learning (SEL), and emotional intelligence (EI) across schools, workplaces, and communities.
We partner with educators, leaders, organizations, and systems to build the knowledge, skills, and conditions that support thriving people, strong relationships, and resilient cultures. Grounded in research and implementation science, we implement programs and translate evidence into practical strategies that strengthen well-being, leadership, and human flourishing.
As the world evolves, we focus on strengthening uniquely human capacities, such as emotional intelligence and social and emotional learning skills.
Our work spans schools and systems, leadership and workplace well-being, and families and communities, with a focus on prevention, promotion, and capacity-building.
Our ultimate goal is system change and sustainability, creating healthier environments where people continue to thrive.
Our Commitment and Purpose
At the Werklund Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence, we believe meaningful impact begins with how we treat one another. Small, kind, intentional actions can create a ripple effect that strengthens our teams, our partners, and the communities we serve.
As an organization dedicated to mental health, social and emotional learning, and well-being, we are committed to practicing what we teach. We believe that supporting the well-being of others begins with supporting our own.
We know the greatest outcomes are achieved when high performance and well-being go hand in hand. Our commitment is to foster a culture where people are empowered to do their best work, grow as learners and leaders, and develop the knowledge, skills, and habits that support lifelong mental health and well-being. By investing in people, we strengthen individuals, organizations, and communities while creating meaningful, lasting impact.