Name
Gwen Mdinaradze
Position/Employer
President & CEO, Speakers Alliance Canada
How long have you been a SIOP member?
1 year
What roles have you had within SIOP?
Member of International Affairs Committee
Interest area(s)
Psychological Safety, Trust in Teams, Leadership Development, Organizational Behavior, Workplace Learning & Development, Employee Experience & Engagement, Change Management, Talent Development & Retention
What sparked your interest in I-O psychology?
My interest in I-O psychology was sparked by my fascination with the intersection of human behavior and workplace dynamics. This led me to pursue a master’s in I-O psychology from Harvard University, Extension School. I was fortunate to be in classes with Dr. Ellen Langer, Dr. Mukul Kumar, Dr. Adam Smith, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, Dr. Lee Bolman and many other world-class professors from Harvard University. Now, through my work leading Speakers Alliance Canada, an international consulting and training company, I apply evidence-based strategies to enhance workplace learning, leadership development, psychological safety and trust in teams, and employee experience.
What role do you see I-O psychology playing in the future of work?
I-O psychology will play a critical role in shaping the future of work by bridging the gap between human behavior and organizational effectiveness. In my work at Speakers Alliance Canada, I see a growing demand for data-driven approaches to leadership development, workplace learning, and trust-building within teams. We continue to design educational initiatives based on statistical analyses, and I see an increased interest in data-driven learning initiatives by C-Suite and HR executives. The future of work will be defined by adaptability, inclusivity, psychological safety, trust, and well-being areas where I-O psychology provides essential insights and solutions.
What work trends are you seeing and hearing about and how can I-O psychology practitioners, educators, and students impact these trends?
I am a strong believer in the importance of psychological safety at work, as it fuels trust in teams and fosters a positive organizational culture that naturally drives profitability.
Every day, I see more organizations recognizing that high-performing teams require an environment where employees feel safe to speak up and voice concerns. Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in large organizations developing psychological safety policies and implementing educational initiatives at every level of the organization.
I am proud that my team and I play a key role in these efforts, working daily to help create workplaces where employees feel valued, heard, and supported. By embedding psychological safety into workplace culture, we are helping organizations become not only more ethical and inclusive but also more innovative and successful.
What advice would you give to students or those early in their career?
My biggest advice to students and early practitioners in I-O psychology is to stay curious, adaptable, and action-oriented. The field is constantly evolving, and there is more room for future research than ever before. With widely accessible resources, organizations are actively seeking professionals who can bridge academic knowledge with real-world application.
Students and early practitioners who take the initiative to gain practical experience and build relationships will find incredible opportunities. Seeking mentorship, networking with industry leaders, attending association conferences and events, and exploring the field through hands-on research can open many doors.
Continuous learning and upskilling are key to staying relevant and making a lasting impact in the workplace. The more you engage with the field, the more you can contribute to shaping the future of work.
What is one of your favorite SIOP Annual Conference memories/highlights?
I haven’t had the chance to attend yet, as I joined the organization after last year’s conference, as Harvard’s professor, Dr. Adam Smith highly recommended joining the association. However, I’m looking forward to participating in future events, engaging with industry leaders, and contributing to discussions on psychological safety, leadership development, and workplace innovation.
Please share one non-I-O-related bit of information about yourself.
Outside of my work, I have a deep love for music and play the violin, flute, and piano. I also love spending time with my family and especially enjoy reading with my three kids.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I strongly believe in the power of human connection and the impact of supporting one another, both in the workplace and in life. Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to have mentors and friends who have supported my aspirations. My first mentor was my late father, who taught me that no matter who we are or what profession we pursue, we are humans first – and supporting each other will always have a lasting impact!
I am always open to helping others in any way I can because I believe that life is about lifting others up and growing together. I often think of the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” True success is not just about personal achievement but about the impact we have on those around us.
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