Allyson Mc Elwain, PhD
About Allyson Mc Elwain, PhD
Allyson Mc Elwain, PhD, serves as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Director of Development and Learning at TELUS in Ontario, Canada. She has extensive experience in learning and development, as well as diversity and inclusion strategies, and holds a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Guelph.
Current Role at TELUS
Allyson Mc Elwain, PhD, serves as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Director, Development, and Learning at TELUS. Based in Ontario, Canada, her role is hybrid, entailing both remote and in-office work. Mc Elwain combines her expertise in diversity, inclusion, and learning to foster a culture of belonging and enhance organizational growth. In her dual roles, she drives initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and developing impactful learning experiences.
Previous Experience at TELUS
Before her current role, Allyson Mc Elwain worked at TELUS for nine years as the Director of Learning and Collaboration. From 2014 to 2023, she was based in Toronto, Ontario. Her responsibilities included overseeing the company's learning strategies and enhancing collaboration among team members through effective training and development programs.
Experience at Loblaw Companies Limited
Allyson Mc Elwain had a comprehensive career at Loblaw Companies Limited. She held multiple roles, including Director of Leadership and Learning Technology (2013-2014), Director of Learning Solutions - Learning and Development (2011-2013), and Senior Manager of Colleague Development/Learning and Training (2009-2011). Her work at Loblaw, based in Brampton, Ontario, focused on implementing learning technologies and training programs that supported leadership development and colleague growth.
Academic Background in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Allyson Mc Elwain holds a PhD and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Guelph. She completed her PhD from 2003 to 2008 and her MA from 2001 to 2003. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University, where she studied from 1996 to 2001. Her academic expertise provides a solid foundation for her work in organizational development and diversity initiatives.
Professional Background and Research Experience
Early in her career, Allyson Mc Elwain worked as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Families, Work, and Well-Being from 2002 to 2008. Simultaneously, she served as a Consultant at Organization and Management Solutions from 2001 to 2009. These roles allowed her to gain valuable research and consulting experience, which has been instrumental in shaping her approach to organizational development and learning strategies.