Mahon, who served as Chancellor of the UM for two terms ending this Spring, is a writer and community activist with a background in philanthropy.

In her new role as Leader-In-Residence, she will help foster meaningful collaborations between the Burns Leadership Institute and the broader community. She will be an integral mentor to students across disciplines, collaborating with them and with the Institute on bringing new workshops and speakers to the UM to deepen students’ learning, community commitment, and networks.

Throughout her career, Mahon has woven a consistent thread of placing empathy, inclusivity and authenticity at the forefront of everything she does.

Her compassionate, innovative perspectives on leadership made her an ideal Chancellor for the University, a position that historian W.L. Morton once described as “the University’s best friend in the world.”

It’s also apparent in her groundbreaking non-fiction books Overcome: Stories of Women Who Grew Up in the Child Welfare System, The Lucky Ones: African Refugees’ Stories of Extraordinary Courage, and Redemption: Stories of Hope Resilience and Life after Gangs.

Chancellor Emeritus Mahon sat down with Dr. Gagnon to look back at her previous leadership experience, and forward to her vision as the new LIR.

SUZANNE GAGNON:

How have both your time as Chancellor—as well as your diverse experiences before that—shaped your leadership philosophy?

ANNE MAHON:

One of the things I’ve really realized in leadership is to be your authentic self. If that’s what you are, what you do and what you strive to be, then good things happen from that. People will see you, and that whatever you’re doing is genuine, and it will hold meaning. Another thing I have come to learn is that leaders come in many, many forms, and so it’s very important to stay open, because you have no idea who the next person will be that you feel is a leader to you.

Sometimes it is a classically hierarchical leader like [University of Manitoba President] Michael Benarroch. He is both a hierarchical leader, and a leader on a personal level because of who he is as a person.

But I can also think of community leaders who I’ve met, who are very, very grassroots-oriented people. Somebody else might say they don’t fit a classically, air quotes “leader” vibe, but they are a leader, and they’re a leader in their community.

Part of it is just staying open to people. And I think that underlying both of those comments about being authentic and staying open is really choosing to have, or trying to have, a disposition of humility, which I believe is central to being a leader.

SUZANNE GAGNON:

Thank you! What drew you to this role as Leader-In-Residence at the Burns Leadership Institute, and how do you see this as a continuation of your own leadership path?

ANNE MAHON:

I feel, firstly, extremely grateful to be invited. As Chancellor, I spent six years meeting with six cohorts of the President’s Student Leadership Program [the Burns Institute flagship program], and I know the quality of the students that participate in the program.

I guess there are two parts. One is I want to be with the students, and the other is, I want to learn from them.

When I came to the end of the Chancellor role, I said to myself, I really have to find a way to stay with that community of people because young people are honest. They’re enthusiastic. They’re full of ideas and optimism. And I like that.

So, when the invitation came, I didn’t have to think very hard at all, because I knew in my heart, I already wanted to do something in that vein, and luckily it came to be.
But really, I’m not just doing it altruistically. I feel that my world is enriched every time I’m with a group of people who are different from me.

I feel I’m doing this kind of selfishly and I’m absolutely thrilled.

SUZANNE GAGNON:

So how do you envision your work with the Institute influencing these young people, this next generation? What impact do you hope to have on them?

ANNE MAHON:

Well, in terms of impact, that is not for me to say but I can talk about my intention. The first is to impart to them how much I’ve learned from people on the margins, to encourage them to look in places that normally haven’t been looked in, and be willing to be vulnerable with communities of people you don’t know. And through that, to foster empathy and to foster openness. Because I think those are very, very important qualities for leadership and that benefit us in all parts of our life when we exercise them.

I just feel so strongly that there is strength in our diversity and our differences. Diversity is one of Winnipeg’s superpowers.

And I think that there are a lot of people right now in the world whose voices are trying to silence diversity. And I think that is a mistake, because diversity is a superpower.

SUZANNE GAGNON:

Thank you so much; one last question. How can institutions like the Burns Leadership Institute continue to cultivate that inclusiveness or purpose-driven leadership?

ANNE MAHON:

Well, I want to start by saying, I feel that the President’s Student Leadership Program is already doing that. And I know, because I’ve watched how this program attracts and works with diverse students.

But I think, continuing to include diverse backgrounds, diverse disciplines, and diverse lived experiences will help to cultivate this. Firstly, diverse people need to be invited to the table. But then, in working together with each other, there needs to be a safe and non-judgmental space.

People need to feel heard and respected, even if they don’t feel agreed with. Belonging is the goal.

This is especially important in Manitoba, where 18% of the population is Indigenous. And I think our Indigenous community has a lot of wisdom. Some passed down from the Elders, but also some from living through difficult challenges.

There are all these different individual things that can guide us, like Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Each of our own personal family histories and cultural histories strengthen us.

I’ve always thought of Manitoba as a humble province. And I like that. I want us to embrace our humbleness as Manitobans; to invite others in, so that no one ever feels like they’re not at the table. But then, once at the table, it can’t just be the old table. It has to be a new table, because there are new people there, which means the people at the table have to be adaptable.

Then there’s this connection that forms. Anytime we feel connected, we care more. We do more. We work harder together.

I have seen that be cultivated in the leadership program. And certainly, in my time as a Leader-In-Residence, I hope to cultivate that in my own small way, too.

–

The Burns Leadership Institute at the University of Manitoba was created through a visionary investment from the Power Corporation of Canada, Canada Life Inc., IG Wealth Management, and the Province of Manitoba. It is housed at the Asper School of Business and supports leadership education across faculties. Learn more about the Institute and leadership programming.

PSLP is an annual, cohort-based program that selects students across disciplines and backgrounds from UM as well as the other major Manitoba postsecondary institutions: University College of the North, the University of Winnipeg, Red River College Polytech, Université de Saint-Boniface, and Brandon University.

The program currently seeks the latest cohort of changemakers and innovators across disciplines and at any level of post-secondary study. Students with existing leadership impact and experience, formal or informal, are invited to apply by March 9, 2025.

Successful applicants join a cohort of peers to participate in a core week of workshops, site visits, and leader talks in June 2025. Participants then plan and complete a summer service leadership project in diverse teams, continue the program in the fall with two dedicated days of workshops, and participate in a field trip to northern Manitoba in winter 2026.

The program is supported by a network of senior leaders from different sectors who participate as one-on-one mentors to PSLP fellows for the year. Concluding each year with a graduation celebration, PSLP has seen many graduates go on to lead in their careers and communities in any field.

Applications for the seventh cohort of the President’s Student Leadership Program are now open. Learn more about this immersive and inclusive leadership opportunity today, and read more about the most recent community projects below.

Leadership shaped by community

This summer and fall, the sixth and current cohort of PSLP fellows worked with community organizations to advance initiatives including access to official ID for newcomers, engagement with Indigenous teachings for international students, a fundraising strategy for non-profits, and a food security information program for the elderly.

“The summer projects help build our PSLP fellows’ connection to their communities and leadership commitment, regardless of what profession or field they will go into,” said Dr. Suzanne Gagnon, Director of the Burns Leadership Institute and Associate Dean of Research at the Asper School of Business.

The sixth cohort of the program completed the following community projects:

Paint Your Teachings

Mackenzie Ferguson, Jory Thomas-Blanchard, Olamide Collins-Longe, and Alejandra Diabb Sanchez devised “Paint Your Teachings,” a paint night dedicated to the seven sacred Indigenous teachings. Hosted by the UM International Centre, the team conceived of and facilitated the event in partnership with Nancy Hamilton, a Knowledge Keeper.

Participants gathered to learn about Indigenous culture and beliefs while expressing their talents through art. After Hamilton guided them through the seven sacred teachings, participants were prompted to paint these teachings on rocks. As the workshop continued, they were encouraged to continue sharing their learning and the values that resonated most with them, bringing teachings to their communities.

Collins-Longe reflects on the impact of the project. “Our community project taught me the importance and power of communication and community, knowing when to step in and when to step back,” she said. Expanding on the impact of PSLP as a whole, Collins-Longe shares that the program “shifted my perspective on life and leadership.”

Identifying Boundaries

Oluwafemi Awopegba, Logan Basarowich, Madison Bonnefoy, and Kiera Butterfield’s project “Identifying Boundaries,” worked to lessen the barriers of obtaining identification for newcomers.

Working with community organizations NEEDS Inc, SEED Winnipeg, and the Me-Dian Credit Union, the group focused on the MPI Identification Card and the Social Insurance Number card. They determined that the most impact could be made by reducing financial and language barriers to accessing these important IDs.

In their project summary, the team writes, “by listening to the communities, we were able to reduce the gaps of access and help newcomers in Winnipeg with their pursuit of a happy life.”

Together, they created a step-by-step guide of how to obtain these forms of ID and translated these guides from English into Tigrinya, Arabic, and Ukrainian with support from the Ethiopian Society of Winnipeg, Islamic Social Services Association Inc, and Ukrainian community members.

KidSport Storybank

Laura Effinger, Craig Hillier, and Faye Vaquilar completed a project with KidSport Manitoba to help increase fundraising and marketing efforts. They created a Manitoba KidSport storybank to collect impactful stories and testimonials to inspire and engage the community in fundraising and marketing matierals.

The team developed a blueprint for listening generously and capturing KidSport family stories. To help build this competency and resource, they emphasized strengthening connections with KidSport members and staff through engaging events and staying flexible with both phone and in-person interviews with stakeholders and community members.

Rising Together through Story

Halem Hrizai, Noor Imran, Tobi Olanipekun, and Kezia Wong worked on a community project called “Rising Together through Story.” This storytelling workshop, in partnership with Newcomer Employment and Educational Development Services (NEEDS), aimed to help NEEDS students feel empowered to share their backgrounds, connect with their peers, and deepen their sense of belonging.

The workshop comprised two interactive, art-based activities that asked students to share the story of their name and reflect on what makes them feel at home. To ensure this workshop could be offered by others in the future, the group prepared a manual for NEEDS that outlines activity instructions and further recommendations for facilitators.

Mission Possible

Kelly Laybolt, Briana Oliver, Erin Sinclair, and Tooba Razi devised a community project that aims to address food insecurity among older adults (55+) in Manitoba. They partnered with Norwest Co-op Community Health and created a comprehensive, accessible resource pamphlet that lists local food programs and services.

Laybolt explains that despite the simplicity of the solution, the impact and learning were significant for this project. “It is important to listen to the needs of your target group. Had we approached our stakeholder with a completed plan and remained married to that idea, our leadership project would have been ineffective,” he says.

Through meaningful conversation and reflection, the team executed on a clear, targeted project to help centralize information about food resources to community members in need.

Fantastic Four Community Cookbook

Jenel James, Sahil Lekhi, Ayushi Pattharwala, and Ariel Wilcox worked together to create a cookbook that showcases a diverse collection of healthy, affordable, and simple recipes, all contributed by members of Manitoba’s immigrant communities. In addition to recipes, the cookbook provides practical resources for newcomers, including tips on navigating local food marketing, understanding nutritional labels, and making sustainable food choices.

The group is excited to continue this culinary work with a cooking class in collaboration with the Immigrant Centre that features contributors from the book.

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Housed at the Asper School of Business, the James W. Burns Leadership Institute at UM has been shaping the next generation of leaders through this flagship program since 2019. Learn more about PSLP, Manitoba’s premier postsecondary leadership program, today.

Walker [MBA/94], who received the Order of Manitoba in 2024 in recognition of her championing of “an inclusive and thriving city where no one is left behind,” brings to this role her extensive senior leadership experience in the not-for-profit and public sectors, her unique career journey, and her drive to create connections to inspire purpose-driven leadership here in Manitoba.

The LIR helps to foster connections between the Burns Institute, the University and the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, serving as a link to the wider community. The role involves working collaboratively to provide input on critical leadership topics for UM students across disciplines, collaborating on leadership workshops, recruiting guest speakers, and developing networks among students and community leaders. The LIR also sits as an ex-officio member of the Burns Institute Advisory Board.

For Walker, this role—a nexus between the business, government, non-profit and academic communities—felt like a perfect continuation of her leadership journey following her retirement as President and CEO of United Way Winnipeg (UWW, 2014-2023).

“United Way Winnipeg (UWW) sits in the space between sectors—you’re working with the private sector, community agencies, government and labour to make a positive difference in the community we all love. The Burns LIR role seemed a way to bring some of those relationships and our shared responsibility to build a better community, to the School, and the students.”

As LIR, Walker will also work with the Burns Institute’s flagship program, the President’s Student Leadership Program (PSLP), assisting current PSLP fellows and alumni with continuous leadership development through community connections and engagement.

During her time as CEO of UWW, Walker welcomed multiple cohorts of the PSLP for site visits, sharing her leadership journey and the work of UWW with PSLP’s diverse student leaders, fostering the unique leadership learning the fellowship program provides.

Walker began her own leadership journey as a public health nurse, which offered the opportunity to meet remarkable Winnipeggers facing significant barriers. “I was welcomed into people’s homes – and sometimes my clients had no home. They taught me about what equity and inclusion really mean, and I’m very grateful for it,” she says.

This journey took an important turn when she began her MBA at the Asper School of Business. She recounts learning about finance, organizational behaviour, business strategy, and more, and just as important, she learned to be in teams where members had diverse backgrounds and experiences. Walker says she learned to think more broadly and to situate her leadership style in curiosity and connection.

“When we are curious, we have less judgment. We’re more open to ideas. We see dots to connect and opportunities we may otherwise have missed. We’re more creative and more inspired. At the root is the capacity to connect with people, including those who may be very different from us. The MBA program fostered this for me,” she says.

After completing her MBA, Walker worked as an Audit Manager at the City of Winnipeg and, for ten years after that, led a strategic planning team in the CAO’s office.

Returning to the community in a role with UWW felt full circle to her. “Working at UWW was the greatest privilege of my career,” Walker says.

She hopes to work with the Institute to inspire strong connections to the broader community knowing that our province (and the world), needs leaders who are inspired to make a difference and who actively bring their talents to the table to do so.

“In Manitoba, we have and need great leaders. In this role, I hope to emphasize our responsibility as leaders to create the city and province we all want for our kids and grandkids. We all need to be involved.’

“I see the potential in this community, and I want us to reach it. I am so excited about the next generation of leaders. I consider it an honour to share experiences and advice – and to learn from them!”

—

The Burns Leadership Institute at the University of Manitoba was created through a visionary endowment from the Power Corporation of Canada, Canada Life, and IG Wealth Management. It is housed at the Asper School of Business and supports leadership education across faculties. Learn more about the Institute and leadership programming here.

With the Asper MBA, Connie Walker went from public health nurse to auditor to CEO. The Asper MBA program is designed to meet the market-driven needs of today’s industry professionals. With one of the most flexible and adaptable programs in Canada, the Asper MBA is designed to help students build their leadership skills in any field. Learn more here.

When she first took on this role, Gagnon was tasked with launching the President’s Student Leadership Program (PSLP). It was this unique opportunity to put her own leadership expertise into practice that drew Gagnon to Asper, joining from her long service as a faculty member at McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management.

“As an academic role with a mandate to lead in community outreach and engagement and positively contribute to the business and social landscape of Manitoba, it was very compelling” she says. “The challenge of developing rigorous and impactful programming in leadership with strong ties to the community, specifically geared to help students take action for the future was very appealing and has been a great opportunity.”

A leader in leadership education

Gagnon got to work, meeting with business and community leaders across the province in post-secondary and beyond, leading with a curious and collaborative approach.

She quickly felt the connectivity of Manitoba, the willingness leaders had to share insights and networks, and the potential for a completely unique program that could tap into this collective energy.

In 2019, the first cohort of PSLP welcomed 27 students from post-secondary institutions across Manitoba, and in 2024, the program celebrated five years of immersive, inclusive, and innovative leadership education unlike anything else in Canada.

Reflecting on the last five years and the renewal of these interwoven roles, Gagnon says that she is most proud of her journey developing, shaping, launching, and sustaining PSLP.

In addition to this work, Gagnon founded the Leadership for Our Times: Critical Issues Series, and during her first tenure as chair, led the launch of a minor in leadership for UM students across faculties, through the Asper School of Business. She also conducted extensive research in leadership and in equity, diversity, and inclusion as this intersects with leadership and entrepreneurial leadership.

Her recent work includes a new article published in Organizational Dynamics (2024) based on interviews with CEOs across economic sectors conducted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, theorizing their challenges and expertise in interconnected leadership, and a paper that integrates research paradigms to guide organizational change for greater equity, published in the FT 50 journal Human Relations (2022).

Associate Dean of Research

While excited to carry on her work as director and Canada Life Chair, Gagnon is also looking forward to a new portfolio as Associate Dean of Research at the Asper School of Business.

Gagnon previously served as Associate Dean of Professional Graduate Programs and Executive Education (2021 to 2024), during which she led the Asper MBA, MSCM, and MFin programs through pandemic lockdowns while advancing professional graduate offerings at the Stu Clark Graduate School and increasing enrolments.

With colleagues in Law, she successfully finalized UM’s JD/MBA concurrent degrees program, offered by the Asper School of Business and the UM Faculty of Law, which gives law and business students the opportunity to complete two-high impact degrees in four years.

“These are some of the things that I am most proud of. Of course, none of this work can be achieved by one person and I take pride in helping create that momentum, bringing a positive view to sometimes hard negotiations and seeing exciting new offerings go through.”

As Associate Dean of Research, Gagnon strives to build on the legacy left by past ADs and generate momentum.

“I aim to further advance the research culture at Asper, support and empower assistant professors to really optimize their research, and inspire strong mentorship. The best research benefits from open feedback, exchange, and collaboration, and I hope to support new opportunities for that at the Asper School of Business. We also want to provide every benefit to our PhD and MSc students.”

Big ideas, close connections

When Suzanne Gagnon discusses her work, she speaks as passionately about big-picture initiatives as she does individual students she has mentored through PSLP, the Asper MBA, and other programs.

Conversing with President Michael Benarroch on UM’s What’s the Big Idea podcast, Gagnon shares one of the core lessons PSLP fellows learn in the program, a recognition that they can and should “lead from the outside in.”

“I can lead, and I should lead,” she says, referring to students’ reflections, “but, it’s not just about me; it’s about us—and not only some of us, but all of us.”

Her own leadership is informed by this inclusive leading from outside in, a commitment to creating space for and empowering diverse voices and experiences that represent and contribute to the advancement of community connectivity.  

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The James W. Burns Leadership Institute at the I.H. Asper School of Business was created through the visionary investment from Canada Life, IG Wealth Management and the Power Corporation of Canada, as well as the Province of Manitoba. Learn more about the Institute’s impactful President’s Student Leadership Program here.

The PSLP welcomes students from all levels of postsecondary study and across disciplines. Participants, called PSLP Fellows, collaborate with each other, apply critical thinking and tap into their curiosity and passion to contribute solutions to complex leadership problems impacting Manitoba.  

The sixth cohort represents 22 different disciplines across four levels of postgraduate studies from the University of Manitoba, Red River College Polytechnic, University of Winnipeg, and University College of the North (Thompson).

Throughout the Core Week, PSLP Fellows meet leaders representing a number of sectors critical to Manitoba’s economic and social well being, from innovation in education and community development, to Indigenous leadership and economic growth, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and technology. Leaders discuss their most pressing challenges, opportunities and successes to help expand participants’ leadership toolkit and practice.

Along with an array of cutting-edge workshops, the Fellows learn from these inspiring senior leaders’ experience while building community and their capacity to lead in their careers in any field.

“These students have committed themselves to build on their already considerable leadership abilities through this collective learning experience over the coming nine months,” said Dr. Suzanne Gagnon, Canada Life Chair in Leadership Education at the Asper School of Business and program director. “They join more than 110 program alumni to date, and we are excited to see their future accomplishments in their careers and for our society.”

Congratulations to PSLP Cohort Six!

1. Oluwafemi Awopegba. University of Manitoba, PhD in Economics
2. Logan Basarowich. University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Commerce, Honours (International Business)
3. Madison Bonnefoy. University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Arts in Women & Gender Studies and Indigenous Studies
4. Kiera Butterfield. University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies
5. Olamide Collins-Longe. Red River College Polytechnic, Diploma in Disability & Community Support
6. Alejandra Diabb Sanchez. University of Manitoba, Master of Natural Resources Management
7. Laura Effinger. University of Manitoba, Master of Business Administration
8. Mackenzie Ferguson. University of Manitoba, Master of Science in Agricultural and Food Sciences         
9. Craig Hillier. University of Manitoba, PhD in Applied Health Sciences
10. Halem Hrizai. University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Arts in English
11. Noor Imran. University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
12. Jenel James. University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Health Sciences
13. Kelly Laybolt. University College of the North, Bachelor of Arts
14. Sahil Lekhi. University of Winnipeg, Bachelor of Business and Administration
15. Tobi Olanipekun. University of Manitoba, Master of Science in Physiology and Pathophysiology
16. Briana Oliver. University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Human Resource Mgmt)
17. Ayushi Pattharwala. University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Biosystems)
18. Tooba Razi. University of Manitoba, Medicine
19. Erin Sinclair. University of Manitoba, Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
20. Jory Thomas. University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Environmental Design
21. Faye Vaquilar. Red River College Polytechnic, Diploma in Business Information Technology
22. Ariel Wilcox. University of Manitoba, Master of Nursing
23. Kezia Wong. University of Manitoba, Master of Arts in Psychology

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The James W. Burns Leadership Institute is housed at the Asper School of Business and was created through a visionary endowment to UM from Canada Life, IG Wealth Management, the Power Corporate of Canada as well as the Province of Manitoba.

For more information about the President’s Student Leadership Program visit: https://umanitoba.ca/faculties/management/leadership_institute/3434.html

Twenty-two graduates received their certificates and joined the PSLP community of leaders making a difference in sectors from healthcare and technology to the arts, law and business. The event feted the now 113-strong contingent of PSLP alumni, and celebrated five years of immersive, interdisciplinary leadership education.

Unique in Canada, PSLP is the flagship program of the James W. Burns Leadership Institute, led by Dr. Suzanne Gagnon, Associate Dean and Canada Life Chair in Leadership Education at the Asper School of Business.

Each year, PSLP selects a cohort of students from across faculties, post-secondary institutions, interests and backgrounds to build their leadership potential. Participants have notable leadership experience already, serving in their communities, faculties, sports or elsewhere. The program is funded through a fellowship for participants, thanks to a visionary investment from Canada Life, IG Wealth Management and the Power Corporation of Canada, as well as the Province of Manitoba. Distinguished guests Paul Mahon [BComm(Hons)/86], President and Chief Executive Officer of Great-West Lifeco and of Canada Life and Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training attended this year’s event to celebrate its five years of success.

Advisory Board Member Charles Henaire [BComm(Hons)/88] attended the graduation and anniversary celebration and articulated the Advisory Board’s vision for the program.

“When PSLP was envisioned, the idea was to continue to develop future leaders from Manitoba who would go out into our communities and beyond, to make a positive impact in their chosen fields. The opportunities and challenges facing our society are complex, and there is a tremendous need for leaders to help shape our future,” said Henaire, Deputy CFO and Chief Accounting & Control Officer at Great-West Lifeco.

PSLP is delivering on its vision as the program boasts diverse and influential alumni across many sectors.

Kevin Boreskie

A first-year emergency medicine resident, PSLP alumni Kevin Boreskie is completing a PhD in Applied Health Sciences at UM. As he describes it, PSLP unites students and leaders, highlighting the immeasurable impact of diverse, but interdependent, leadership skills.

“Through PSLP, I saw how the community leaders we met with through the program had incredible skill sets that made them effective leaders, but that these skill sets weren’t necessarily the same. What they had in common was passion for addressing a problem,” he says.

PSLP taps into students’ own drive to solve problems and serve their communities. This passion transcends institutions and occupations, and PSLP invites students from across Manitoba to connect with a network of committed peers.

Amy Jackson

PSLP alumna Amy Jackson notes that learning from others allowed her to reflect on the value of her own unique point of view.

Jackson received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Indigenous Studies from UCN. “Participating in PSLP boosted my confidence in valuing my unique perspective as an Indigenous woman from northern Manitoba. It has also broadened my mindset by exposing me to various ways of thinking,” she notes.

PSLP is designed as an inclusive program, teaching participants that effective leadership positively impacts communities, and that valuing diversity is central to healthy communities and competent leadership.

Kathleen Murphy

Kathleen Murphy is graduating from RRC’s Business Administration program and holds a Post-Bacc in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Music from UM. They explain how PSLP has improved their ability to lead in 2SLGBTQIA+ initiatives like the Rainbow Harmony Project.

“PSLP has been instrumental in building my confidence, refining my public speaking and defining my values as a leader. I am passionate about leveraging my leadership education to build inclusive spaces, empower people to raise their voices and form meaningful connections in service to others,” they say.

Community initiatives are included in the program pedagogy, with students working in groups to complete a hands-on service leadership project.

Jude Obidiagha

A senior policy analyst with the Government of Manitoba, Jude Obidiagha completed PSLP while pursuing his master’s in applied economics at UW. Obidiagha worked with fellow students on an Indigenous Newcomer Workshop, designed to build relationships between different communities and raise awareness about Indigenous culture among newcomers in Winnipeg.

“Through this community project with fellow young leaders in my cohort, I developed the skill of working with other passionate peers while cultivating leadership skills like empathy, active listening and collaboration,” he says.

Mentorship is in PSLP’s DNA, as students learn from dedicated faculty, experienced business, government and non-profit leaders, and their own cohort.

Reanna Merasty

Reanna Merasty was pursuing her Master of Architecture at UM while in PSLP, and is now architectural intern with Number TEN architecture Group. She describes her biggest takeaway from PSLP. “What stuck with me was the value of collaborative leadership, where we are not leading on an “I” but with an “us.” Collaborative leadership means using the strengths of others to achieve a shared goal.”

PSLP redefines leadership, giving students the skills they need to lead and succeed while reaffirming that effective leadership is often more collaborative than individual, more collective than self-serving, more dynamic than stagnant.

The vision for PSLP began as a desire to build on the leadership ethos that the donors saw in Manitoba, and to create new knowledge, relationships and experiences that would stay with and guide the participants as they entered their careers. Director Gagnon expresses how the program has lived up to that vision.

”We are extremely proud of these five cohorts of PSLP fellows and the hard work and care they put into participating in this program. We have seen many flourish with new activities in the community new positions in their fields, in academic work, government and, in industry. With the sixth cohort soon to begin the program, we look forward to continuing to create strong collective capacity that will help them to tackle the tough problems and create opportunities for the future.”

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Housed at the Asper School of Business, at the University of Manitoba, the President’s Student Leadership Program selects a cohort of students from across faculties, post-secondary institutions, interests, backgrounds and regions of the province to build their leadership potential.

Visit the PSLP website for full program details.

The program provides students with training, connections and personal development, asking them to apply their insights and skills to projects that address social issues and make a positive, lasting impact in our communities. 

PSLP students connect with industry leaders who offer coaching and mentorship, and they receive training through a series of workshops. They work in multidisciplinary teams to find creative ways to have a leadership impact. In just a few short months, these teams go from concept to action: generating ideas, building partnerships and planning then carrying out community projects.

Lukas Neville, associate professor of organizational behaviour at the Asper School of Business and acting academic lead for PSLP, comments on the importance of these hands-on projects.

“There’s an element of leadership development that isn’t found in a classroom, a lecture, or a workshop alone,” says Neville. “It comes from the hands-on experience of building and carrying out initiatives and projects. These students met one another for the first time in May, and by the end of the summer were working closely in teams, putting their training into action and serving the community in deeply meaningful ways. It’s an amazing journey to see.” 

PSLP COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROJECTS 2023

Catalyst Collective

• Jennifer Breddam – University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Arts in Labour Studies
• Kathleen Murphy – Red River College Polytechnic, Diploma in Business Administration
• Victor (Chun) Chau – Red River College Polytechnic, Diploma in Applied Computer Education
• Winnica Beltrano – University of Manitoba, Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

Catalyst Collective partnered with Aurora Family Therapy Centre to establish terms of reference for the Centre’s Elder-In-Residence (EIR) program that is being developed. This initiative is in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRCC) 94 Calls to Action, specifically Call 22, which urges health service providers to offer culturally informed care to Indigenous Peoples in collaboration with Indigenous Elders and healers.

Developed in consultation with Indigenous programming experts, Catalyst Collective has produced a uniquely inclusive program grounded in mino-pimatisiwin, the Indigenous approach to helping. This program takes a holistic approach, prioritizing respect for the experiences, cultures, languages and traditions of Indigenous Peoples. It is designed to provide service to any person seeking Elder In Residence (EIR) services at Aurora Family Therapy Centre and aims to establish a connection between Aurora Family Therapy and Winnipeg’s Indigenous communities through direct and meaningful consultation and collaboration.

Community Canvas

• Abigail Kawadza – University of Manitoba, Master of Nursing (Administration)
• Justin Hiebert – Red River College Polytechnic, Diploma in Business Administration (Marketing)
• Mudra Dave – University of Manitoba, Master of Science in Kinesiology
• Randi Roy – University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science in Microbiology Hons. Co-op

The key objective of Community Canvas was to build community by fostering intergenerational connections, using painting as a medium of addressing and expressing current social issues. The team chose to focus on making connections across generations by bringing together community-dwelling older adults and youth.

“We see great value in bringing people together from different generations to raise awareness on multiple social and environmental issues through painting,” says the team. This intergenerational endeavor provided a space for socialization and elevation of creative growth in community-dwelling older adults while fostering intergenerational connections through art.

New Transitions

• Amy Lloyd – University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science (General)
• Carolina Cespedes – University of Winnipeg, Master of Science in Applied Computer Science and Society
• Christopher Yendt – University of Manitoba, Doctor of Philosophy in Education
• Mark Rauhaus – University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
• Mehraz Sarker – University of Manitoba, Master of Arts in Sociology

The New Transitions team partnered with the New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families to offer supports to individuals living within the Supported Independent Living (SIL) program. The SIL program supports people with intellectual and physical disabilities to live independently based on their individual needs. This groundbreaking program took a critical step away from the institutionalization or service-centered approach and moved into a person-centered approach that prioritizes the person’s rights and empowerment.

New Transitions worked with New Directions to identify gaps in the transitional services provided and to pilot life-skills workshops. The pilot workshop taught relevant financial skills including how to budget, grocery shop, save income and set financial boundaries with loved ones.

SciFive

• Allison Balasko – University of Manitoba, Medicine (MD/PhD)
• Hiwot Jonk – University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science in Human Nutritional Sciences (Dietetics)
• Jesse Shen – University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Physics (Hons)
• Joao Carlos Fidencio da Silva – University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering
• Pelumi (Samuel) Akinola – University of Manitoba, Master of Science in Pharmacy

In collaboration with Siloam Mission, SciFive worked to raise awareness about the chronic shortage of adult undergarments and socks among unhoused individuals. The team recognized that these often-overlooked necessities play a crucial role in maintaining dignity and well-being among the unhoused. Through donation drives, they sought to address this shortage and provide essential items to community members. SciFive’s aim was to contribute to the integration of unhoused individuals within our Winnipeg community.

The first awareness and donation drive, held in partnership with Real Canadian Superstore (Winnipeg West) was a success. At the end of the drive, the team received approximately 250 pairs of underwear, 500 pairs of socks, and $365 in monetary donations. Building upon this success, the second donation drive saw an even greater outpouring of support, resulting in 530 pairs of underwear, 700 pairs of socks, and an impressive $1,836 in monetary donations, totaling $7,116 worth of donations.

Team iMPact

• Edwin Alarcon – Red River College Polytechnic, Diploma in Business Technology Management
• Michael Zarychta – University of Manitoba, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
• Pinaz Mehta – University of Manitoba, Master of Business Administration
• Tasnim Ferdous – University of Manitoba, Master of Landscape Architecture

Team iMPact partnered with Harvest MB to enhance awareness and provide education to children and young adults on food insecurity. The project’s strategy involved creating educational tools designed for elementary students, as well as resources that encompass broader subjects such as constructing home and community gardens and addressing food insecurity. These resources were developed for Harvest MB as part of their extensive educational outreach efforts. With the support of Harvest MB, Team iMPact successfully presented the elementary-school-oriented presentation to a summer camp hosted by Sustainable South Osborne Community Cooperative.

The project’s core mission focused on creating awareness and facilitating the dissemination of resources to build capacity in starting home gardens, effective use of food banks and advocating for sustainable food practices, all aimed at mitigating the adverse consequences of food insecurity.

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The President’s Student Leadership Program is the flagship program of the James W. Burns Leadership Institute and unique-in-Canada immersive learning opportunity that brings together a cohort of students each year from across faculties, post-secondary institutions, interests, backgrounds and regions of the province to build their leadership potential.

Applications for the next cohort of the President’s Student Leadership Program will open on January 21, 2024, and close on March 3, 2024.

While in The Pas, students will meet with distinguished leaders including Edwin Jebb, Chancellor, UCN, and Opaskwayak Cree Nation Band Counselor; Christian Sinclair, former Onekanew (Chief) of Opaskwayak Cree Nation and Economic Development Strategist; Minister Judy Mayer, Vice President, Manitoba Metis Federation—The Pas Region; Doug Lauvstad, President and Vice Chancellor, UCN; Lynette Plett, Associate Vice President, Mihcet Meskanawah (Many Pathways) Teaching and Learning;  Dan Smith, Vice President—Academic & Research, UCN; and Helga Bryant, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Health Region, and incoming UCN Dean of Health.

During the visit, the theme of the sessions is economic reconciliation, and they focus on deepening participants’ understanding of leadership in the North. Students will study the opportunities and challenges of Indigenous-settler relations while considering how leadership contributes to reconciliation and how young leaders in the PSLP can support these efforts and make meaningful impact. For Dr. Gagnon, “exposing young leaders to Indigenous approaches to leadership is integral to developing well-rounded and socially aware leaders who are prepared to serve in any sphere in Manitoba and beyond.”

The trip fulfills the program’s pan-provincial mandate, exposing young leaders in Manitoba to the realities of living, working and leading throughout Manitoba. The trip will help PSLP participants cultivate an understanding of leadership in northern Manitoba. The PSLP is a an annual, cohort-based program that builds a network of students across disciplines and backgrounds including students from UM (70 % of participants) as well as the other major Manitoban postsecondary institutions: UCN, UW, RRC and U Brandon.

The PSLP is grounded in diversity, which is reflected in its selection methods and the participants themselves. The UM President’s Program is geared toward providing students with the relevant leadership education to prepare them for leadership roles in their chosen fields and within communities in Manitoba and beyond.

This year’s cohort comprises 20 participants representing 14 disciplines from four institutions.

Applications for the fifth cohort are now open until February 19, 2023. Visit the PSLP website for full program details, eligibility criteria and instructions on how to apply.

Selected participants in this immersive, fully-funded program will have many opportunities to develop their leadership skills and competencies. These students will directly engage with mentors and an exclusive network of leaders in the province. 

Since 2019, the James W. Burns Leadership Institute has been committed to shaping the next generation of leaders within and beyond the walls of UM. The program focuses on leadership challenges and issues in society today. Experiencing a breadth of contexts, from the non-profit sector and labour relations to justice and healthcare systems, PLSP participants learn the essence of what it means to be a leader in any career path.

Applications for the President’s Student Leadership Program are now open. The deadline to apply is February 19, 2023. Twenty-five students will be selected for the fifth cohort of the program, which begins  with the ‘core week’ in mid-June 2023. PSLP applications are open to eligible students from all major post-secondary institutions across Manitoba, with 70 percent drawn from UM.

Meet the following PSLP graduates of the fourth cohort (2022). These outstanding individuals are redefining what it means to be a leader today and in the future. 

Samuel Ogunsola, Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology and Pathophysiology 

Participating in the PSLP had a monumental impact on Samuel Ogunsola’s education. He explains how the program has advanced his skillset: “The PSLP provided me with a platform to learn from great leaders in Manitoba, which has helped me expand my professional network, understand the practical applications of leadership, and build lasting relationships.”

As Ogunsola finishes his PhD, he looks forward to applying his skills and PSLP experience to a leadership role in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company. For Ogunsola, being a leader  also means always learning from his community and using his abilities to create innovative solutions to problems affecting those around him.

The program helped him gain a greater appreciation for sustainable community-based projects, and he has since founded two organizations: Food and Genes Initiative and Impact Leaders Connect.

Erin White, Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

“It is important to give back to the communities that have helped us get to where we are today,” says Erin White. The program has set her up to do so with a project true to her roots.  

One of White’s community-based projects centered on creating a clothing closet at a school in the area of the city she grew up in, from which community members could access winterwear. “Being able to supply children and their families in my community with warm clothing was an overwhelmingly rewarding experience,” she says.

Deidre Dewar, Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources and Indigenous Business Studies

Partnerships that Deidre Dewar has made with community leaders have been an invaluable part of her PSLP experience. With diversity at the forefront of successful leadership, Dewar’s experience connecting and exchanging ideas with others has allowed her to understand leadership in many ways.

“Our work

 taught me the value of cultural inclusivity in a community and acquainted me with different cultural customs,” says Dewar. It also encouraged her to set career and personal goals most important to her, which has helped her self-confidence grow as she takes the next steps in her future.  

Dewar will be joining the workforce while pursuing her master’s degree in business administration. With this career path “I want to pay it forward and use the knowledge I’ve learned in PSLP to help other women achieve their professional and academic goals,” she adds.

Applications for the President’s Student Leadership Program are now open and close on February 19, 2023. Apply today!

Case competitions are a hallmark of experiential learning in business education. Acknowledging the importance of training future business leaders, Dr. Bruno Silvestre, Dean of the I. H. Asper School of Business and CPA Manitoba Chair in Business Leadership, emphasizes the role case competitions play in the professional development of graduate students. “I am thrilled to welcome participants to this inaugural event. As a part of experiential education, case competitions offer a compressed version of what business is, giving students an early opportunity to practice working under pressure in a dynamic environment. Teams must engage not only their critical thinking and leadership skills, but also their ability to respond, adapt and maintain momentum in the face of change.”

Dr. Stu Clark [B.Comm.(Hons.)/76, LL.D./2011], benefactor and namesake of the graduate school at Asper, also recognizes the value of case competitions, highlighting the collegiality and connection that these events facilitate.

“I am a huge supporter of this method of experiential learning, particularly at the graduate school level. The face-to-face, peer-to-peer, competitive nature of these events presents a real life, out-of-classroom opportunity for students to engage with peers from graduate business schools across Canada, and to build their confidence as they prepare to face the myriad of complex problems in their future business careers.” – Stu Clark

Cases for this event will be crafted around the theme of leadership. As a centre for excellence in case competitions and business education, Asper is a fitting host for what promises to be a dynamic two-day exchange of strategy, camaraderie and creativity.

Bolstered by the expertise emerging from the James W. Burns Leadership Institute, housed in the Asper School of Business, the ALCC represents an exciting opportunity for graduate students to engage their leadership knowledge and competencies to solve the complex problems that organizations face today.

The theme of leadership reflects a key element of the Asper and Stu Clark Graduate School experience, emphasizing a critical skill for any business student. During the competition, teams will use their leadership knowledge to prepare cases and present solutions —all while putting their own individual and collective leadership skills to the test.

This idea of collective leadership defines academic and professional excellence in business. The success of teams in this competition will be as much a result of their individual leadership skills as they are a result of their ability to collaborate as leaders: recognizing, supporting and calling upon excellence in each other.

In that spirit, this landmark event is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors: community business leaders and alumni who see the value in uplifting future leaders in our MBA program by helping to facilitate experiential learning opportunities like the ALCC.

The Asper School of Business and the Stu Clark Graduate School are proud to highlight the vibrancy of Winnipeg during this two-day competition. Participants from business schools across the country will have opportunities to partake in planned activities that showcase this great city: from The Forks, a meeting place for over 6,000 years, to winter festivities at the annual Festival du Voyageur.

We welcome members of the business community, alumni and students to join in the excitement of the first ever Asper Leadership Case Competition. Come watch future business leaders from across Canada present creative solutions to complex organizational concerns during the public finals on Saturday, February 25, join the conversation and follow the competition on social media, or contribute to this landmark event as a volunteer.

The Asper Leadership Case Competition is the first in an annual series that represents the momentum, dynamism and educational excellence of the Stu Clark Graduate School and the I. H. Asper School of Business.

For more information or to get involved, please visit the event webpage: https://umanitoba.ca/asper/asper-leadership-case-competition