NexGen Leaders Program

Empowering the Next Generation of Independent School Leaders

The CAIS NexGen Leaders Program is a personalized coaching experience designed to strengthen your leadership and amplify your impact, with an intentional focus on expanding access to coaching for leaders who have not been well-served by conventional leadership development opportunities.

The 2026–2027 NexGen Leaders Coaching Program runs from July 2026 to January 2027. Participants engage in structured coaching, reflection, and peer support while working toward clear leadership goals.

 

Who Should Apply

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NexGen is designed for leaders in CAIS schools who:

• Hold emerging or mid-level leadership roles and want to expand their influence
• Are considering future senior leadership opportunities
• Value coaching, feedback, and reflective practice
• Don't often see themselves reflected in leadership roles

CAIS especially welcomes applications from leaders whose racial, sexual, or gender identities have been historically underrepresented in independent school leadership. Diverse perspectives strengthen our schools, and this program is designed to help all participants thrive.

 

What you’ll gain

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• Coaching is one of the most effective ways to build leadership capacity— a 2024 study by the FMI Management & Consulting Group found that 87% of leaders report a high return on investment from coaching. Through the NexGen experience, participants will gain:
• Personalised coaching and leadership development — 8+ hours of group coaching and 2 hours of individual coaching.
• A trusted peer cohort — dyads/triads for ongoing reflection, mutual coaching, and accountability that endure beyond the program.
• Access to experienced CAIS leaders — live panels and Q&A sessions (approx. 6 hours).
• A lasting network committed to courageous, compassionate leadership.

 

Program logistics

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• In-person kick-off: July 6-7, 2026 | Bayview Glen, Toronto (recommend travel on the 5th) 
• Virtual sessions: Bi-weekly from September to December 2026 (90 minutes each)
• 1:1 Coaching Sessions (based on your schedule with your coach) 
• In-person wrap-up: January 2027 (dates & location TBD)

 

Fees

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• $4,800 per participant (includes facilitation, coaching, materials, accommodation at The Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Markham, and all meals).
• Please note that travel to the in-person sessions is not included

 

Application Details (Applications are now closed)

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• Applications require Head of School support. Cohort capped at 12.
• This is an application-based program. CAIS will review applications and contact successful applicants with the next steps.
• The NexGen Leaders Coaching Program application was due on January 30, 2026.

For questions, contact Rachael Brownell-Swain, Manager, Professional Learning Programs at rbswain@cais.ca.

 

Facilitators

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what PAST participants say

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Acknowledgements

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This program has emerged as a result of several years of ongoing discussion at the CAIS Pluralism committee. CAIS thanks the committee members for their input and for the many Heads in the CAIS network who support NexGen leaders through sponsorship and mentorship.  

 

NExGEN COHORTS

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