Scaling anonymous early intervention mental wellness systems for organizations - BC-1017

Project type: Innovation
Desired discipline(s): Business, Social Sciences & Humanities
Company: Shift Change
Project Length: Longer than 1 year
Preferred start date: As soon as possible.
Language requirement: English
Location(s): BC, Canada
No. of positions: 2
Desired education level: Master'sPhDPostdoctoral fellow
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: No

About the company: 

Shift Change is a Canadian mental wellness company transforming how organizations respond to stress, trauma, burnout, and psychological injury. Founded by Registered Clinical Counsellor and Certified EMDR Therapist Kara Kalin, Shift Change delivers highly confidential, neuroscience informed group interventions designed to support early intervention before challenges escalate into disability, burnout, or long term mental health leave.
The organization specializes in anonymous, non verbal EMDR based group sessions that remove many of the barriers preventing individuals from accessing traditional mental health support. Shift Change has successfully integrated its model within high stress organizational environments including first responder, healthcare, leadership, and workplace populations.
By combining evidence informed trauma processing approaches with scalable digital delivery, Shift Change is building a new model for proactive workforce mental wellness. The company is also actively exploring technology enabled solutions and AI supported systems to improve scalability, accessibility, operational efficiency, participant experience, and organizational implementation.
Shift Change is currently focused on expanding operational systems, strategic partnerships, research capacity, digital infrastructure, and scalable delivery models to support growth across Canada and internationally.

Describe the project.: 

Shift Change is seeking Mitacs interns to support the scaling and strategic growth of an innovative early intervention mental wellness company focused on organizational resilience, burnout prevention, and psychological injury reduction.
The project will focus on developing scalable business systems, digital infrastructure, operational workflows, and innovation strategies that support the growth of Shift Change across corporate, healthcare, education, and first responder sectors. Interns will work directly with leadership to support market research, partnership development, operational optimization, technology exploration, AI integration opportunities, and scalable delivery infrastructure.
Key areas of focus may include:
• Researching scalable business models for mental health innovation and digital wellness delivery
• Exploring AI supported systems and intelligent workflow integration to enhance operational efficiency and participant experience
• Supporting future platform development and digital infrastructure planning
• Conducting market and competitive analysis within the mental health, health technology, and workplace wellness sectors
• Assisting with operational workflows, systems development, and organizational scaling strategy
• Evaluating customer engagement, membership growth, and digital user experience opportunities
• Supporting research, data collection, and impact measurement initiatives • Exploring scalable technology enabled solutions for anonymous group delivery and organizational implementation
• Supporting strategic planning for national and international growth opportunities
This project offers interns the opportunity to work within a rapidly growing social innovation company operating at the intersection of mental health, neuroscience, workplace wellness, systems innovation, and emerging technology. Interns will gain hands on experience contributing to a mission driven organization building innovative approaches to scalable mental wellness delivery.

Required expertise/skills: 

• Business, Commerce, MBA, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Operations, Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analytics, or AI related students
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Interest in health innovation, mental wellness, systems design, or social impact
• Experience with market research and strategic analysis
• Interest in AI integration, digital systems, workflow automation, or platform development
• Familiarity with CRM systems, operational software, or emerging technology applications
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Organizational and project management abilities
• Creative problem solving and strategic thinking abilities
• Experience in startup, innovation, or scaling environments considered an asset