Marie Laenen is a passionate nursing and simulation instructor with Lethbridge Polytechnic. Her work focuses on decolonizing education and health care through building meaningful connections, reducing barriers, and empowering students in ways that have lasting and transformative impacts. She uses strength-based approaches, cultural humility, intentional activities, and diverse collaboration to create change and shape education in purposeful ways. Her philosophies balance being bold and courageous with gentle, inclusive compassion. She appreciates fluid and flexible learning environments where students can discover their greatness and move to higher understandings of themselves and the world around them through reflection and experiential learning.