About Russ May

I am the founder and principal consultant for Cypress Leadership. My career as a business and human resource management executive spans more than 35 years, incorporating experience in a exceptionally broad range of private sector, public sector and not-for-profit organizational settings.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology, and a Certificate in Personnel & Industrial Relations from the University of Manitoba. While my academic studies have been focused on understanding human behaviour in organizational settings, I also completed courses in accounting, economics and commercial/labour law as a means of providing context for my major area of interest. I taught evening credit courses in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management at the University of Manitoba for six years. I currently hold professional designations as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP).  Both these designations are recognized globally as establishing high standards of professional knowledge and conduct.

In 1981, I founded The Harris Consulting Corporation to offer a broad range of services and programs in human resource management to client organizations in the private and public sectors, including not-for-profit.  The company focused on executive search, organizational development, career management and HR strategy.  Over a period of 23 years, I built a successful medium-sized practice that earned a solid reputation for quality, integrity and customer value.  We served client organizations directly, as well as in partnership with other professional firms, across Canada and throughout the USA.  Our client mix was exceptionally broad, covering most employment sectors:

In 2005 I relocated to Vancouver Island and in 2006 formed Cypress Leadership Inc. to focus on executive team development for organizations across Canada and the USA.

My teamwork and leadership skills have been further developed through serving on the Board of Directors for professional, community and business organizations.  I was a founding director and served twenty years on the Board for a community social service organization, including three years as Chairman.  I served seven years on the Board of Directors for both the Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba (President 1977/78) and the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Manitoba (President 1988/89).   I also served two consecutive terms (2002/04) as President of the Manitoba Club, one of Canada’s oldest and most respected private clubs for business and community leaders.  I currently volunteer my time at Royal Roads University to mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the Faculty of Management.