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Ioana Birleanu, MBA

Adjunct Professor

Industrial + Organizational Psychology

Vancouver

“The path to growing and flourishing as a human being is through continuous learning, and everyone has the innate ability to absorb and apply knowledge.”

This belief is the cornerstone of everything I do as a Leadership practitioner, consultant, and professor. I see my role not as someone who simply transfers information, but as someone who creates sacred spaces for learning and self-improvement. When I witness students discover their own capabilities and watch them apply new insights to transform their lives and work, I’m reminded why this calling chose me. It’s an absolute honor to facilitate these moments of growth and to be part of each person’s unique flourishing journey.

ibirleanu@adler.edu (604) 364-2193 Connect on LinkedIn Curriculum Vitae

OVERVIEW

Ioana is a Romanian-Canadian executive leader and educator with 20+ years driving organizational growth. As Cisco’s first female Sales Director in Western Canada, she built the company’s most diverse team while delivering $1B+ in revenue. Currently, she is an Adjunct Professor at Adler University and Co-Founder/CEO of Growth Flourishing, where she collaborates with her wife on leadership and diversity work, and specializes in authentic sales and conscious business coaching.

As an LGBTQ+ immigrant passionate about supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs, Ioana believes continuous learning is the path to human flourishing. She creates inclusive spaces for growth through education, consulting, and mentorship. Beyond work, she is a certified yoga and ski instructor, reflecting her commitment to holistic well-being and authentic living.

As a new mother balancing academia, entrepreneurship, and community service, I’m passionate about redefining success to include holistic well-being and authentic living. I speak three languages fluently, and another three as a beginner. I believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. My journey from immigrant to industry leader fuels my commitment to creating opportunities for others to thrive authentically.

PRESENTATIONS

Presentations
  • I regularly deliver workshops and keynotes on leadership development and workplace wellness across diverse organizations. My signature presentations include “”Authentic Leadership for the Modern Era,”” helping leaders discover their genuine leadership style, and “”Managing Impostor Syndrome,”” providing practical strategies to overcome self-doubt and build confidence.
  • I’ve presented “”Building Back from Burnout”” at UBC and various nonprofits, addressing the growing wellness crisis in professional environments. My “”Effective Communication”” workshops focus on fostering inclusive dialogue and meaningful connections in the workplace.
  • Drawing from my sales expertise, I facilitate “”Building an Effective Sales Funnel”” sessions for entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking authentic growth strategies. These presentations blend my corporate experience with conscious business practices, emphasizing sustainable success and authentic relationship-building across all professional contexts.

LEADERSHIP + COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

As President of Foreigners Talent Society’s Board, I bridge French-Canadian economic partnerships while championing immigrant integration and workplace inclusion. My previous board service at Yoga Outreach involved leading trauma-informed programming for at-risk populations, reflecting my commitment to holistic community wellness. Having served as VP on PI Theatre’s Board for five years, I bring governance experience alongside deep community engagement.

I actively mentor women entrepreneurs through The Forum and support emerging professionals via YWIB’s Blueprint program, helping them unlock their leadership potential. My role as Coral’s (formerly SheEO) Activator connected me to a global network building a $1B perpetual fund for women-led social ventures.

These leadership roles demonstrate my dedication to creating inclusive opportunities, supporting underrepresented voices, and fostering economic empowerment through authentic, service-oriented leadership.