Meet Shelley Steele

“Leadership begins when we recognize our capacity to shape our own lives.”

What Guides The Work

I believe people are often far more capable than they realize.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to learn from people from many different walks of life. Again and again, I have witnessed courage, growth, and leadership emerge in unexpected places.



Those experiences continue to shape how I coach, teach, and support others.

The Experience Behind the Work

As an executive and life coach, educator, and curriculum design specialist, I bring together decades of experience in learning, leadership, and personal development.

My professional journey has included teaching, documentary production, curriculum development, coaching, and facilitating conversations that help people reflect, grow, and navigate change.

Along the way, I have had the opportunity to learn from individuals from many different backgrounds, professions, and life experiences. Those lessons continue to shape how I coach, teach, and support others today.

Whether through coaching, courses, workshops, or speaking engagements, my goal is to help people move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.

Organizations Shelley has worked with

About Shelley Steele MEd, ACC

Executive and Life Coach | Educator | Curriculum Design Specialist | Founder, Steele Academy

Who is Shelley Steele?

Shelley Steele is an executive and life coach, educator, and curriculum design specialist who helps people build what’s next—on purpose. As the founder and host of Steele Academy and its inaugural course, Become a Life Architect for Yourself, she blends emotional intelligence, reflection, and practical coaching frameworks to help individuals realign with their values, strengthen confidence, and move forward with clarity and heart.

Every chapter of Shelley’s work has been about helping people find their voice and rebuild from within—first through storytelling and reflection and now through coaching and learning design. What began as a passion for giving others space to speak from the heart has evolved into helping people build their next chapter—anchored in purpose, presence, and heart.

Credentials and Education

Shelley holds a Master of Education (MEd), is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and completed the Rotman Executive Coaching Certificate through the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. She has also pursued doctoral-level studies in Human Resources Development and Adult Education at OISE/University of Toronto, focusing on personal growth and intentional change.

Her work draws on decades of experience in education, curriculum design, and storytelling—combined with internationally recognized coaching credentials.

Learn about Shelley's Approach to Coaching.

Education, Storytelling, and Human Connection

As a professor and curriculum design specialist, Shelley has developed and taught secondary, post-secondary, and adult-learning programs in leadership, entrepreneurship, and healthy lifestyle. Earlier in her career, she worked in Curriculum Programming at TVO, producing educational media resources for schools, and subsequently began to independently produce and host a comprehensive library of human-story mini-documentaries that encourage people to speak from the heart about their lived experiences and lessons learned—on topics such as addiction, ADHD, autism, reconciliation, poverty, and resilience.

Rooted in storytelling, this evolving body of work has been featured nationally and internationally, from keynotes to classrooms and corporate training sessions—fostering empathy, inclusion, and personal growth. Once a host on TVO, today Shelley hosts the courses at Steele Academy, guiding learners through experiences that inspire self-awareness and lasting change.

Heart & Grace Co.

Shelley is the founder and executive director of Heart & Grace Co., a registered Canadian charity dedicated to expanding access to personal growth and compassion-centred leadership.

Vision: A world where people awaken their potential, share their gifts, and help bring out the best in one another.

Mission: Building a mentoring and coaching culture that helps people grow, connect, and contribute.

Under Heart & Grace Co., she continues to curate an evolving library of human-story mini-documentaries—real voices that foster empathy, inclusion, and growth. This storytelling work remains a cornerstone of how she teaches and coaches today. See https://heartandgrace.co/

Community and Leadership

Shelley also serves as co-chair of the ICF Etobicoke Coaching and Learning Hub, a community of coaches who meet in person to learn, collaborate, and grow together. Through Steele Academy and Heart & Grace Co., she continues to create learning experiences that foster empathy, inclusion, and personal growth.

Course Offering

Enrol in Become a Life Architect for Yourself to start shaping your future with clarity and confidence. Join a community committed to growth and gain tools that support lasting transformation.

Speaking engagements and live workshops

Let’s create a space for real connection.

When Shelley addresses the room, she shares the space. Her focus is on making people feel genuinely heard and understood, creating an environment where it is safe to slow down and reflect. Whether you are bringing her in for a speaking engagement or an interactive live workshop for your business, community, or campus, Shelley helps people gently expand and shift their perspectives and approaches. Your group will walk away feeling grounded, with practical insights to improve their lives, their relationship with themselves, and how they show up for others.