Community Engagement Strategist. StoryCrafter. Social Entrepreneur.
Bridging conflict transformation, culturally responsive dialogue, and expressive arts.
Biography
Dr. Patlee Creary is a Winnipeg-based facilitator, scholar, author, and social entrepreneur. Holding a doctorate in Peace and Conflict Studies, various business and nonprofit management qualifications, and certified as a higher education teacher and mindfulness facilitator, she leads community engagement initiatives and creative writing programs that amplify lived experience and create spaces for meaningful dialogue.
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Patlee is the co-founder and Executive Director of The StoryBridge Network, where she leads the development of storytelling programs, community dialogue initiatives, and facilitator training that amplify marginalized voices and strengthen belonging.
Patlee is also the founder and lead consultant of Reyou, an advisory practice that supports entrepreneurs, leaders, and organizations through workplace well-being, strategic planning, policy development, and narrative development facilitation.
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Beyond her executive leadership and consulting practice, Patlee is an author, poet, and writing coach. Her published work, including Rebel. Mother. Queen., explores the intersections of self-reclamation, mental health, lived experience, and community empowerment.Â
Mission
Driven by a belief that authentic storytelling creates true belonging, I partner with organizations to build trauma-informed, culturally grounded dialogue spaces. Together, we transform lived experience into actionable programs, inclusive cultures, and lasting mental well-being.
What to Expect
Patlee's speaking and facilitation approach integrates storytelling practice, community development frameworks, adult learning theory, and trauma-aware engagement methods. Patlee has worked extensively with newcomers, youth, educators, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations to create inclusive spaces where people can explore identity, share their stories, and build meaningful connections across cultures and generations.Â
Bringing a trauma-informed, equity- and culturally grounded approach, her work helps organizations design engagement processes that go beyond traditional meetings and static events—creating structured dialogue in which lived experience directly informs programs, policies, and human-centred organizational and business culture.
Core Values
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Trauma-Informed & Culturally Grounded: Creating safe, structured environments where difficult conversations and intergenerational stories can be witnessed with dignity and care.
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Lived Experience as Strategic Wisdom: Moving past superficial surveys to treat personal stories as vital data for policy, program design, and community growth.
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Human Capacity Over Performed Output: Rejecting hustle culture to build sustainable practices that protect mental health and nurture long-term well-being.
