About

Hey there, I'm Jessica McKenna, founder of Acorn Avenue Consulting.

My work sits at the intersection of career development, workforce strategy, early learning systems, and adult education. I support individuals, organizations, and communities who are navigating change, whether that’s career transition, workforce development, or strengthening systems that support people to do meaningful, sustainable work.

My career has never followed a single straight line. Instead, it has been shaped by curiosity, care, and a consistent focus on people, learning, and systems.

I began my professional journey in education and psychology, developing a strong foundation in human development, learning theory, and relational practice. Over time, my work expanded beyond classrooms and individual roles into workforce development, organizational consulting, and systems‑level support.

Across roles, sectors, and settings, one theme has remained constant: I am drawn to work that helps people and organizations make sense of complexity and move forward with clarity

Professional Experience

Over the years, I’ve worked across:

Career development and career coaching
Workforce development and professional learning
Early Childhood Education and child development systems
Organizational and program consulting
Interdisciplinary health, education, and community‑based environments

I’ve supported individuals navigating career change and uncertainty, as well as organizations grappling with workforce sustainability, role clarity, and systems complexity.

Through Acorn Avenue Consulting, I continue to do contract work with Full Circle Occupational Therapy, where I support operations, communications, and systems that enable practitioners to focus on their core work with children and families. This ongoing, applied experience keeps my consulting grounded in real‑world realities.

My work is often described as:

Thoughtful and well‑structured
Calm, clear, and supportive
Deeply relational without being performative
Practical, not theoretical for theory’s sake

Strengths I bring to my work include:

Systems thinking and big‑picture perspective
Clear communication across diverse stakeholders
Translating complexity into actionable steps
Building trust and psychological safety
Balancing empathy with accountability

Education & Professional Foundations

My academic background grounds my work in both theory and practice:

Master of Educational Psychology (Human Relations)

Mount Saint Vincent University
Senate Award of Distinction

Bachelor of Education

University of New Brunswick

Bachelor of Arts – Psychology & Sociology

University of Prince Edward Island

Research & Publications

Early in my career, I conducted research focused on professional identity, beliefs, and practice in early learning environments. That work continues to shape how I think about workforce development today.

Selected publications include:

Play in Early Learning Programs: Beliefs, Practices and Professional Development (2012)
From Child‑Minders to Professionals: Insights From an Action Research Project on Prince Edward Island (Journal of the Canadian Association for Young Children, 2015)

My consulting approach remains research‑informed but grounded, translating evidence into practical strategies that respect lived experience and context.

My approach is collaborative, respectful, and flexible. I don’t believe in one‑size‑fits‑all solutions, especially in work that involves people, learning, and change.

Depending on the engagement, I may work as:

A consultant or advisor
A facilitator or guide
A strategic thinking partner
A coach or sounding board

I’m particularly well‑suited to roles and projects that require relationship‑building, clarity, and long‑term thinking, rather than quick fixes or rigid formulas.

Values That Guide My Work

At the heart of my work are a few core commitments:

Respect for lived experience alongside professional expertise
Learning as an ongoing process, not a destination
Sustainability, for people, organizations, and systems
Equity, inclusion, and care in how work is designed and delivered
Integrity and humility, especially when working across communities and systems

These values shape not just what I do, but how I do it.

Let's Connect

If you’re curious about working together, exploring a consulting partnership, or simply want to learn more, I welcome a conversation.

You can also find a concise, professional overview of my experience on LinkedIn.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my work.

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