About Us

Deputy Chief Laurie VandeSchoot (Retired) is known for building inclusive and high-performing cultures that strengthen communities. She is an executive-level change agent who worked for The City of Calgary for more than 30 years, while also consulting internationally for 20 of those. Laurie holds a Master of Science (MSc, Magna Cum Laude) from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, specializing in Sustainable Development, along with numerous other interdisciplinary degrees and certifications.

Laurie brings a diverse background of experience from the public, not-for-profit, and private sectors to her consulting. Her rich consulting experience comes from working with the different facets of organizational development and change management to motivate, educate, and create. Recently retired from the public service, Laurie is now on faculty at a local post-secondary school, volunteers extensively in the community, and is a freelance international consultant who has worked in Canada, the US, China, the Philippines, Eastern Africa, Germany, and Panama. In her career, she has consistently advocated for diverse communities, developed planned change initiatives, and provided senior consulting services and planning to numerous businesses, agencies, and organizations. She has extensive experience in public participation, strategic planning, sustainable development, diversity services, quantitative and qualitative research, and customized consulting solutions.

In recognition of her passion for diversity and inclusion, Laurie has received several accolades including an Immigrants of Distinction, Organizational Diversity Award for outstanding achievements in implementing cultural diversity initiatives, and a Federation of Canadian Municipalities Award for outstanding contributions to international cooperation. Laurie is married, has two children and is an active participant and volunteer in sports, arts, and social justice activism.  Every day, Laurie aims to live her credo “I educate, I create, I inspire.”

Superintendent (Retired) Nina Vaughan joined the Calgary Police Service in 1989, and during her time there had extensive experience in multiple investigative and operational areas of the organization. She retired as Superintendent in charge of all Human Resource related functions including recruiting, training, employee wellness, diversity and inclusion and employee development. 

Supt. Vaughan’s primary focus, and her area of expertise, is leading and managing the development, promotion, and support of organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement.  While at the Calgary Police Service, she led the creation of the Office of Inclusion, Development, and Employee Engagement, as well as the Service’s Culture Change project. 

She has worked in a uniform, undercover and plainclothes capacity throughout her career, including stints with the Drug Unit, Domestic Conflict Team, Vice Unit and Organized Crime Section.

She is a founding member of the Bar Watch Association for Patron Safety and well as the Stop Marijuana Grow Operations Coalition. She is also a founding member and former Chair of Alberta Women in Policing. She is also a Board member of Carya, Calgary’s oldest charity. 

A vocal proponent of equity and inclusiveness in policing, Superintendent Vaughan has successfully studied ethics in law enforcement and professionalism, as well as leadership, emergency management and mentoring.

She is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Supt. Vaughan has taught extensively on equity, diversity, and inclusion to a number of policing agencies in Canada including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) K Division, RCMP Depot, Medicine Hat Police Service, and Calgary Police Service.  She has also worked with a number of academic institutions both as a public speaker and in designing research related to gender in policing. 

Nina has a Diploma in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Criminal Justice. She has a keen interest in women’s studies and is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston, Mass.