Allison Arnott is a dedicated leader who holds a deep-rooted belief that every human being deserves to find purpose and fulfillment in their daily lives, be it through employment, leisure, self-care, family, or community service. Throughout her diverse career, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to this core belief, guiding her professional path with a genuine desire to make a positive impact.
Starting her career as an Occupational Therapist in 1994, Allison honed her skills in clinical practice before making a transition into healthcare leadership, earning a Master’s in Health Science, Health Administration from the University of Toronto in 2008. As an OT-turned-leader, she recognized her employees as ‘clients’ and developed a leadership style that prioritizes the well-being of each team member. Her approach centers on fostering a work environment characterized by safety, meaning, connection, empowerment, recognition, and growth.
During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Allison took on a senior leadership role in People & Culture at a large acute care hospital system. During this pivotal period she observed a significant gap between the aspirations of HR professionals and the practical realities they faced in supporting employees. This disconnect deeply resonated with Allison’s own sense of purpose, igniting a passion for what she now defines as Workplace Happiness.
In response, Allison founded The Happiness Department, aiming to complement organizations’ existing People-related practices with evidence-based Workplace Happiness solutions and approaches to elevate the well-being, productivity, and overall success of organizations and their people. Allison proudly sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Positive Psychology Association.