Heather McWilliam is an award-winning entrepreneur, changemaker, and former police officer whose courage redefined what it means to be brave. After surviving workplace abuse in law enforcement, she won a landmark Human Rights case in Canada, sparking national conversations on trauma, mental health, and systemic change. Heather is the founder of Brave Inspires Brave, a global movement empowering courageous leadership and healing through lived experience. In this interview with Esther Ijewre, she shares her story in commemoration of Mental Health Month.
Inspiration behind Brave Inspires Brave
Brave Inspires Brave was born from my personal experience of trauma and a sudden, life- altering exit from law enforcement. I witnessed the silent suffering of military and law enforcement families across Canada, struggling with PTSD, identity loss, and the ripple effects of service-related trauma. My own healing journey awakened me to a deeper calling: to help others find purpose, hope, and post-traumatic growth. I wanted to show that life after service can be meaningful, and that everything needed for healing already exists within us—mind, body, and spirit. Creating this platform transformed my pain into purpose and restored my connection to self, faith, and community.
Biggest challenge during the legal battle
The most significant challenge was enduring six years of retraumatization through legal systems that failed to protect me. I lived in fear, was followed and surveilled, and felt abandoned by the institutions I once trusted. The psychological toll, betrayal by peers, and loss of safety took a deep personal and emotional toll, but I held onto a promise I made: if I survived, I’d use my voice to help others.
Through spiritual strength, family support, and the courage shared by
others, I turned fear into purpose. That vision became my lifeline, fueling my fight to transform pain into healing and justice—for myself and others.
What bravery means to me Bravery is showing up especially when you’re afraid. It’s owning your story, asking for help, and standing in your truth. In healing, bravery means facing the pain and choosing to grow. In leadership, it means creating space for others to do the same. True bravery is rooted in vulnerability, empathy, and a commitment to growth. It’s not about perfection, it’s about being present, humble, and willing to keep learning. Bravery bridges healing and leadership. It’s how we create change, inspire trust, and lead with integrity.
Systemic changes needed for safer workplaces
Creating safer workplaces, especially in law enforcement, starts with bold, heart-led leadership.
We need leaders willing to do the inner work, lead with compassion, and model integrity. Safety is more than physical, it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual. True transformation comes from prioritizing healing as a lifelong journey, not a one-time checkbox. We must include diverse voices, especially those with lived experience, to foster understanding that goes beyond policies and training. These individuals bring depth, wisdom, and connection that truly reshape workplace culture. This is not about surface-level reforms, it’s about building environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Change must grow in partnership with communities, rooted in empathy and a shared desire for healing. Brave Inspires Brave is a model for this: a
space where leadership, connection, and healing come together. When we lead from the heart, we move beyond division and toward a future where everyone feels they belong.
Creating a culture of openness around mental health
I start every conversation about mental health and trauma with authenticity and compassion.
When I lead with my truth, it permits others to share theirs. Vulnerability connects us, and healing begins when someone feels safe enough to be seen. I meet people where they are, without judgment or expectation. I see their light, even when they feel lost in the dark. Their story, their strength, their journey, it all matters. Mental health is not a weakness. It’s sacred. I speak about it respectfully and intentionally, honoring each person’s unique path. I normalize healing as an act of strength and evolution. More than anything, I want people to know they are loved and worthy. They are not defined by their past but by their resilience. I walk beside them, not ahead of them because we all have something to offer, and something to learn.
Advice for those facing workplace abuse or harassment
First and foremost: You are not alone, and this is not your fault. Abuse often stems from others’ unhealed pain, but that doesn’t excuse it. You are not to blame for someone else’s actions.
Listen to yourself. Acknowledge how the experience is impacting your health, your relationships, and your sense of self. Don’t wait for it to become unbearable. You deserve safety and peace now.
Reach out. Confide in a therapist, trusted friends or family, or a supportive community. Seek brave leaders who will stand with you. These people can help you rebuild your strength and reclaim your voice. Believe in your bravery. Your healing will inspire others to find theirs.
A Woman of Rubies is Shaped by the Women Who Walked Before Her
My grandmother, Mary Acton, was my first hero and remains my greatest inspiration. She embodied courage, compassion, and integrity. Even after losing my grandfather young, she carried our family and her community with quiet strength and grace. Her resilience shaped how I lead and live. Her curiosity, support, and unconditional love never wavered—she’s still a guiding light in my life. My mother, Connie McWilliam, showed me what fierce love, loyalty, and courage look like. As a law enforcement spouse for 44 years, she held our family together through grief, trauma, and change. She stood by me, educated herself on my rights, and fought beside me in my battle for justice. Her strength sustained me, and her love helped me survive. And Sarah Godbout, my confidence and business coach, met me at a pivotal point in my healing. While others said I couldn’t work again, she believed in me. With patience and compassion, she helped me reclaim my voice and rebuild my purpose. Her mentorship reminded me that leadership can rise from lived experience and healing.
Healing is a Journey of Reclaiming Power, Purpose, and Peace.
The most powerful part of my healing journey was learning to protect my peace by creating safe, validating spaces where I feel seen, valued, and connected. Learning and education became tools of transformation reading, writing, and listening to inspiring leaders gave me back my voice and vision. Reclaiming my right to be on social media and associate freely allowed me to share my story and connect with others. Entrepreneurship helped me rebuild identity and purpose, it gave me agency and hope. Holistic wellness practices like reiki, yoga, journaling, nature, music, and mindful movement grounded me in the present and helped me reconnect with myself. So did walking, stillness, and my faith in God. I found healing in unexpected places: in therapy animals, daily gratitude, and choosing joy, even in small moments.
Supportive community, healthy boundaries, and caring for my body became vital to my recovery.
Being a Woman of Rubies
Being a Woman of Rubies means standing in your truth even when it's hard and transforming pain into purpose. It means leading with empathy and courage, even when fear whispers that you’re not enough. It’s honouring your lived experience, knowing it holds power, not shame. It’s about showing up for other women, walking beside them with compassion, and lifting each other higher. A Woman of Rubies understands that her voice matters not just for herself, but for the change she’s here to create. She doesn’t wait for the perfect moment, she creates it.
She lives her legacy out loud. I hope to inspire others by showing that your story doesn’t have to be polished to be powerful. You just need to be present, real, and brave. When we own our truth, lead with love, and rise with purpose, we become the light for someone else to do the same.
Building a Movement
I’m most excited about building support systems and resources, which I and so many others needed during unexpected transitions from service. Brave Inspires Brave has grown into a global movement for healing, leadership, and purpose, filling the critical gap for service members and their families during and after their time in uniform. We’re creating a community of belonging where they feel seen, safe, and supported to succeed on their terms. Our focus is on post-traumatic growth as the new standard, offering tools that restore dignity, ignite purpose, and open doors to meaningful leadership opportunities. We’re uniting brave, purpose-driven leaders to co-create spaces that heal, empower, and save lives, spaces where confidence, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence are celebrated.
