ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Lee-Ann O'Brien
A proud enrolled band member of the Fishing Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan. I am a published author, mother, wife, and executive police leader with over two decades of experience in Indigenous policing.
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Born and raised in the Ottawa Valley and Pikwakanagan, I began my policing career in 2005.
In 2015, I broke new ground as the first woman in our police department’s history to be promoted above the rank of constable.
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Since 2017, I’ve served in several executive leadership roles, including Inspector of Field Operations and Acting Chief of Police. I’ve held my current position of Deputy Chief since 2018.
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A lifelong learner, I’ve continually advanced my education and leadership development. I’m a proud graduate of the University of Toronto’s Rotman Police Leadership Program (2019) and recently completed my bachelor’s degree (Dean’s List, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences) at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2024.
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I am also a certified Resilience Coach. I believe resilience is not something you’re born with—it’s something you build. Drawing on neuroscience, professional experience, and my own healing journey, I support individuals and leaders in developing the skills to navigate stress, recover from adversity, and create sustainable wellbeing—both personally and professionally.
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Beyond policing, I am actively involved with charitable organizations, advisory boards, and committees.
My debut book, Breaking Trail: From Complex Trauma to Command (Baico Publishing Inc.), is a memoir that explores healing, resilience, and leadership as an Indigenous woman navigating complex systems, while healing from her own trauma.
My Book
Breaking Trail
Breaking Trail is a raw and powerful story of healing from trauma, survival, and leadership as an Indigenous woman in policing.
Part memoir, part reflection, it offers truth, hope, and solidarity for anyone carrying pain, reclaiming identity, or walking the path back to themselves.
If you’ve ever felt alone, this book is for you.
​​​Want a signed copy of Breaking Trail? I’d love to send one your way! Please email me at: leeann.obrien@outlook.com to place your order today.
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Paperback copy is $25.00 + shipping ($9 per copy anywhere in Canada)​
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Bulk orders are welcome. Please contact me for more details.
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Click the link below to order your copy from Indigo.ca.
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Coming Soon!
*New Release*
Raising Fire: Igniting Resilience and Becoming Whole
Raising Fire is a practical guide to reclaiming your life, your strength, and your joy, one single choice at a time.
Through raw honesty, lived experience, and practical tools, Lee-Ann shows readers how to tend their “head fire”—their inner flame of resilience, presence, and purpose—while raising a family, serving in a senior policing role, navigating relationships, and healing from complex trauma. Full of stories, reflections, and exercises, this book will help you reset your nervous system, protect your peace, ignite your resilience, and build the life you were always meant to live.
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Each chapter includes optional journal prompts, inviting readers to pause, reflect, and engage with their own journey at their own pace. This is not a manual for perfection—it is an invitation to honesty, courage, and becoming.
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A FREE accompanying workbook (Ebook) will also be available for download.
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Raising Fire is for anyone who has ever felt broken and brave at the same time—and who knows that real strength is found not in being unbreakable, but in burning, breaking, and rising again.
Speaking
Powerful, truth-telling speaking services that blend lived experience, professional insight and cultural awareness.
Author
Published author
Breaking Trail
(Baico Publishing, 2025)
consulting
Consulting services rooted in lived experience, cultural integrity and executive leadership in Indigenous Policing. Whether you're building policy, navigating conflict,or shifting culture, I will help you bring clarity, courage, and solutions.
To Book or Inquire
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For book orders, speaking engagements, resilience coaching or collaboration inquiries, please reach out to Lee-Ann by email:
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