Organizations we’ve worked with

The Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary is an internationally recognized centre of excellence in brain and mental health research and education, based within the Cumming School of Medicine and working in partnership with Alberta Health Services. 

HBI brings together researchers, clinicians, and trainees across multiple disciplines and faculties to advance understanding of the brain, support discovery, and translate research into improved outcomes for neurological and mental health conditions. 

Its work spans areas such as brain function and behaviour, mental health, neurological disorders, and the impact of stress and environment on brain health.

 Why we collaborate

At Cortical, we focus on how leaders think, respond, and perform in complex environments.

The work of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute contributes to a broader understanding of brain function, behaviour, and mental health.

The Mathison Centre at the University of Calgary focuses on advancing research and education in mental health, with an emphasis on early identification, prevention, and treatment — particularly for children, youth, and emerging adults.

The Centre works in close connection with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and supports initiatives such as the Mental Health Initiative for Stress and Trauma (MIST).

MIST brings together researchers across disciplines to study how emotional stress and physical trauma affect the brain and contribute to mental health conditions, while also advancing research, education, and community awareness

Why we collaborate

At Cortical, we focus on how leaders think, respond, and perform in complex environments.

The work of the Mathison Centre — including initiatives like MIST — contributes to a deeper understanding of stress, mental health, and human behaviour, particularly how stress and trauma impact the brain and influence outcomes. 

We draw on this broader body of research where relevant, connecting it to the realities of leadership, decision-making, and performance in organizational settings.

The Canadian Mindfulness Research Center, led by Sanjeev Kumar provides evidence-informed mindfulness and meditation programs designed to support mental clarity, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Their work focuses on helping individuals and teams better understand how attention, stress, and habitual thought patterns influence performance, decision-making, and behaviour. 

Why we collaborate
At Cortical, we focus on how leaders think, respond, and perform under pressure. The Canadian Mindfulness Research Center complements this by offering practical approaches to attention and self-regulation—capabilities that are foundational to resilience, decision-making, and leadership effectiveness.