About Us
Our Philosophy
We believe now more than ever business can be a force for good. Globally, we are experiencing flux, friction, change and uncertainty, which has resulted in a lack of trust in our political, economic, social and technological systems. Building trust and making conscious choices create a stabilizing effect for businesses and society. That’s why we’ve built an ecosystem that shares the belief of business serving a broad stakeholder community, enabling the shift to a sustainable, inclusive market economy.
Our Philosophy is Grounded in Three Principles:
1
Me to We
Businesses that focus on building collective capability have future-proofed their businesses by leveraging the power of a diverse and inclusive high-performance team.
2
Trust
When we trust, we create stability for everyone to prosper. We believe businesses have a responsibility to build trust in their organizations and, by extension in our communities.
3
Self-responsibility
Building strong teams requires a mindset of self-responsibility. This means having the ability to choose responses while shifting to see different perspectives consciously.
The Imaginal Way
Businesses need to be sustainable and generative. At Imaginal, we know it takes integrating Human Dynamics and Business Mechanics within a company to make that happen. That means we focus on the culture and the people within a business, ensuring that teams actively contribute to designing the processes, systems, and structures right from the beginning.
The Story Behind Our Name
Our name, Imaginal Ventures, draws inspiration from the remarkable imaginal cell. Imaginal cells are the catalyst behind the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. When the growth of the caterpillar begins to plateau, imaginal cells begin to awaken. At first, they’re rejected by the collective. Yet, with less energy devoted to the caterpillar, the imaginal cells begin to thrive.
This realization led us to envision an alternative approach to building businesses capable of changing the world.
Meet Our Team
Get to know the team behind Imaginal
Dorothy Spence
The CEO/Founder
Dorothy's Bio
Dorothy is a serial entrepreneur, business advisor, yogi, author, speaker, and the whole reason why Imaginal Ventures exists! Having started her career with an engineering degree and an MBA, Dorothy is the analytical Einstein (just with much better hair!) and the problem solver of the team. It’s not often she’s seen without her flip chart and colourful array of marker pens, holding brainstorming sessions and ensuring the team are continuously pushing forwards. Whether it’s through new programs, the platform or planning the next adventure, Dorothy is always 5 steps ahead. However, it’s through her extensive study and practice of yoga, she found a deep-rooted interest in human nature and consciousness. How else would we have the Conscious Business Operating System (CBOS) and the Human Dynamics Asset System (HDAS)? She’s an energy alchemist who keeps the team aligned, and when she’s not planning her next trip or working on her new book, she’s cruising around town on Betty (that’s her bike).
Suki Laniado Smith
Co-Creator/The Cathedral Builder
Suki's Bio
Suki is a master at building ambitious and scalable strategies and maintaining rigor throughout all phases of their evolution: from concept to strategic design, to implementation and integration throughout an entire organisation. Suki is the co-creator of the Conscious Business Operating System and believes that for businesses to survive in the world today, it is imperative they focus on building Cathedral Leaders. Leaders whose inspiration and influence are embedded in the philosophy of an organisation and influences their purpose and values which will live on long after they are gone. Suki supports clients to align and integrate Human Dynamics and Business Mechanics within their organisation and teaches them the art and science to understand how to implement them. Integrating these two areas provides businesses with the resilience, speed and agility required for growth and dictates the pace at which growth can be achieved.
Tracy Gravesande
Product Architect
Tracy's Bio
Tracy is a product architect and strategist committed to simplifying complex products and Intellectual Property (IP) by systematising to achieve scale, leading to the building of sustainable assets. Tracy is also an experienced Learning and Development Consultant whose work has enabled the value of learning and its impact to be elevated in the businesses in which she has worked; for their employees and clients with whom they are in relationship. Her strategic skills and ability to work both in the vision and in the detail has allowed her to work across a wide spectrum of companies, from Corporate to SME. Tracy’s raison d’etre is to ensure that everyone has the tools and resources to achieve their purpose and ambitions, thereby having an optimal impact on everyone within their ecosystem.
Erin O’Keefe Graham
Managing Partner
Erin's Bio
Erin brings 25 years’ experience in consulting, advising leadership of businesses from 5 to 150,000 people on brand strategy and culture transformation.
She is dedicated to helping founders develop the skills and habits they need to build sustainable, thriving organizations. Erin has spent the past three years leading the Emera ideaHUB, a deep tech incubator at Dal University in Halifax NS that builds ideas into physical products for a healthier world. She is also an LP for Women’s Equity Lab Atlantic, an EIR for East Valley Ventures, and 10-year angel investor.
Before moving to Nova Scotia in 2021, Erin consulted to scaling tech companies on leadership team and culture in Toronto; she delivered culture and transformation initiatives as Senior Director at PwC Canada and as Head of Global Brand Management at KPMG, where she rolled out Purpose globally to 150 member firms. While at Interbrand North America as Brand Engagement Director, Erin built original methodologies to transform culture for better B2B customer experiences.
Erin has served as a board member and HR committee chair for Inclusion NS, is a volunteer mentor for Black Women in Excellence, and has provided career guidance for newcomers in the Greater Toronto Area through ACCES Employment.