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NexGen Leaders Program
Leading CAIS schools has become more challenging and rewarding over the last two decades. Heads and Deputy Heads have to be strategic and tactical to respond to internal and external change. As our schools become more diverse in their student and parent bodies, so must our school leadership teams represent multiple perspectives and groups in our schools.
CAIS is committed to supporting leadership growth for Canadian Independent Schools, particularly for leaders who are currently underrepresented in senior leadership roles. This NexGen Leaders training program uses a cohort-based, coaching model over six-months to help a small group of up to 10 aspiring leaders learn more about the headship role, create a personal leadership plan, and to network with Heads, Board Chairs, and search firm consultants. Participants are required to commit to the full program (see below).
Applications have now closed. If you have any questions, please reach out to Anand Mahadevan, CAIS Executive Director.
Program Overview
Month | Program Details | Duration |
---|---|---|
July | Cohort meets for the first time during the Summer Leadership Institute. Focus is on setting norms for engagement, building trust, and identifying goals. Members can sign up for an LI module on July 2-3 | Full day July 4 (Toronto, ON) |
August | Resources and exercises to help cohort members understand their own strengths and values, clarify their motivations to seek the Head’s role, and plan for their journey ahead. | Up to each participant (self-paced exercises) |
September | Facilitated group discussions, panels with human resources representatives and current Heads, and one-on-one coaching session with leadership coach to develop individual action plans | 3 hours virtually |
October | Cohort gathers in-person at the Heads & Chairs conference. Specialized program to meet with search firm consultants, Board chairs, and join some keynotes at the conference | Half day October 15 Full day October 16 (Vancouver, BC) 1.5 hours virtually |
November | Action plan execution feedback, panel with recruitment and other professionals emerging from the cohort needs, as well as one-on-one coaching session with leadership coach on action plan next steps. | 3 hours virtually |
December | Closing this phase of the journey and developing plans and support mechanisms for the next phase | 1.5 hours virtually |
Throughout | Each participant is responsible to work toward their goals, including taking any actions they commit to doing in between group sessions. Each participant will also receive 3 private coaching sessions (25-min each) over the course of the program | Up to each participant |
Program Faculty
The program will be led by leadership coach Alex Radu (ICF Associate Certified Coach and formerly with Boston Consulting Group) who will be joined by a roster of independent school leaders and professionals throughout the program. Among others, CAIS is grateful to the following leaders for giving their time and support to this program:
- James Lee, Head of School, Bayview Glen
- Colleen Keenan, Odgers Berendtson
- Heather Ring, Caldwell Partners
- Michel Shah, President and CEO, UpSkill Community
- Claire Sumerlus, Head of School, Robbins Hebrew Academy
- John Wray, Head of School, Mulgrave School
Program COSTS
$4000 per participant which includes coach support and facilitation, resources, accommodation, and food. Participants are responsible for travel to and from the two in-person locations. Participants are encouraged to speak to their Head of School for sponsorship.
How to Apply
Interested applicants who self-identify as being from underrepresented groups (e.g., based on gender, socioeconomic, neurodiversity, multicultural, sexuality or intersectional status etc.) must complete and submit this form by 5:00 pm ET on April 24, 2023 to be considered for the program. Successful applicants will be contacted by May 8 to register for the program which starts on July 4, 2023.
acknowledgements
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.