Dawn Schooler is a consultant with Family Enterprise Consulting Group in Vancouver, BC. Dawn works with a variety of enterprising families as they navigate the often-tricky waters of working together in the family business. In earlier iterations of Dawn’s career, she has owned a large counselling clinic in the Lower Mainland, in addition to being a university basketball coach and professor.

Dawn has accrued more than 15,000 hours with clients, and was the recipient of numerous teaching and coaching awards. Her background in Counselling and Psychology allows her to quickly understand the dynamics at play within different systems and to facilitate necessary but challenging discussions across multiple stakeholders in family enterprise. An ability to create a safe atmosphere in which to confront issues which are often avoided in families who are in business together, has made Dawn a go-to consultant for families and advisors alike.

Schooler’s doctoral research will investigate the lack of non-male voices in the decision-making processes of family-owned businesses. This research aims to inform and influence new ways of bringing forth more diverse voices and experiences in the family enterprise space which will contribute to the broader community of enterprising families and the systems that support this crucial component of the Canadian economy year after year.

Schooler holds a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Alberta (1986), as well as a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle (2002), and a Family Enterprise Advisor ™ designation from the UBC Sauder School of Business (2015).