Jamie Cowan, the founder of Watershed Communication, brings over 30 years of academic and professional training, coupled with extensive lived experience as a natural coach, mediator, and leader.
Jamie Cowan, the founder of Watershed Communication, is a visionary leader in the field of transformative communication and conflict engagement. With over 30 years of experience, he is the ideal person to help both individuals and entire organizations navigate their biggest challenges. His expertise is rooted in a powerful blend of diverse academic knowledge and deep life experience, which allows him to deliver coaching, consulting, and training that go far beyond surface-level fixes. Jamie’s approach is centered on a unique “nature-informed philosophy” and principles of psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed care. He possesses a remarkable ability to foster empathy and accountability, helping individuals alter communication habits to align with their values and enabling teams to engage constructively with conflict. As a skilled facilitator, Jamie helps organizations cultivate a thriving “communication ecosystem” that leads to genuine connection, improved morale, and enduring success.
qualifications
International Coaching Federation (ICF)
2026 | Canada Coach Academy
ACC Level 2
Executive, Leadership & Team Coaching
Cert. Collaborative Conflict Resolution
2024 | Justice Institute of BC
Conflict Coaching, Negotiation, Mediation
Restorative Leadership Training
Feb 2025 | Just Outcomes
Vancouver, BC
Cert. Psychological Safety in the Workplace Training
May 2025 | Safe 2B
Victoria, BC
Cert. Non-Violent Communication
Level 1
June 2025
Nanaimo, BC
10+ Years
Professional consulting experience with purpose-driven organizations focused on understanding & managing complexity and building community resilience
7+ years of post-secondary education
Focus on the ethics and social/behavioural psychology of sustainability, community resilience & energy-economic transitions, and personal/planetary healing
Wilderness Guide and Leadership
Extensive experience in remote wilderness adventure guiding, leadership and team building, where effective communication skills are paramount.