THRIVE

THRIVE
Virtual Leadership Program

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

THRIVE is a ten-week virtual program that will develop the next generation of Two-Spirit, queer and trans people managers. Participants will get exclusive access to queer and trans leaders working at the highest levels of Canadian business and engage in important peer-to-peer discussions. Through live Zoom sessions, collaborative group study, and self-directed work our fourth THRIVE cohort will collectively unlock their potential as out leaders.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

The cohorts of THRIVE will support a positive learning environment and peer-to-peer learning, and they are limited, happening in the winter/spring. The application process is from December to February, and the program runs from February to April. Those selected for the cohort will pay a participation fee, due upon acceptance (to be announced with the new cohort information).

Applicants who are self-employed, employed by a nonprofit or by a registered charity may indicate their interest in being considered for a scholarship to THRIVE. Those accepted as scholarship participants will be charged no fee for participation.

Interested in our next cohort? Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on our social media channels, or fill out this form to receive direct communication from our team.

Questions about THRIVE can be directed to Templeton Sawyer (he/him), Leadership Programs Coordinator, at templeton.sawyer@prideatwork.ca.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

The primary goal of THRIVE is to develop and support Two-Spirit, queer, and trans leaders within medium-to-large Canadian employers. Those who would get the very most out of this opportunity will fit the following profile:

Self-identified as Two-Spirit, queer, trans or otherwise marginalized on the grounds of gender expression, gender identity and/or sexual orientation
At least five years of experience in the workplace
In a position of management or on a management track

SUPPORTERS

Lead Supporter

THRIVE and other programs are offered with our Proud Partners’ support. Reach out to Hanna Haddad (he/him), Business Development Coordinator, at hanna.haddad@prideatwork.ca and discover our sponsorship packages and opportunities.

TESTIMONIALS

“Pride at Work Canada’s THRIVE Leadership Program is a unique opportunity for queer and trans leaders to engage and build a professional network. The program is a well-balanced combination of personal development and community building. I valued the ability to interact with peers as well as speakers on a fairly informal basis in a highly-safe space. The connections I made and lessons I took away from the program have served as a jumping off point for me furthering my own leadership development and mentorship of others.”

Christine Colverson

Executive Search

Shopify

2021 cohort

“I am so grateful to have participated in the inaugural THRIVE program. In a disconnected time, I found community, solidarity and deep learning. I applied knowledge from the curriculum and the wisdom of participants to my leadership practices and spaces where I work alongside others towards equity, diversity and inclusion. THRIVE shows participants the importance of owning our 2SLGBTQIA+ stories, that representation matters and that we can grow together, in community.”

Tash Krotez, CFRE

Principal

Indovinare Consulting

2021 cohort

“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to meet with other queer and trans leaders to speak about professional representation and networking. Throughout the THRIVE program I have had the opportunity to hear stories of professionals working towards an inclusive environment, and the time to digest this in small groups and learn from each other. It is important to hear each other and have real discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion on a practical level. We have value in our unique experiences and journeys. Being able to have open and honest discussion can help you to grow as a leader and gain the skills to improve your workplace.”

Kelsey Harpur (he/him)

Senior Contact Centre Specialist and 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group Chair

Well.ca/McKesson Canada

2022 cohort

“As a neurodivergent bisexual who often feels out of place in traditional workplace leadership initiatives, the THRIVE program was exactly the kind of professional development I was looking for at this point in my career. The topics all connected to the very pressing concerns that are impacting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace and challenged me to think about how I can show up as my whole self at work and support others doing the same. I really enjoyed the connections and conversations I had with other members of my cohort from across Canada. I work at a small non-profit and so having the opportunity to network and learn from others is invaluable.“

Robyn Schwarz

Fund Development, Advocacy, and Communications Lead

Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services

2023 Cohort

“I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of the 2023 THRIVE cohort. Hearing the stories of success from people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community provided me with a positive mindset that we are really working to make a change in society. The topics were very relevant to keep promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. I particularly enjoyed the Decolonizing Leadership talk because, coming from a country where colonization has shaped our culture, it is important to reflect on the impacts and how to remain true to our real background. I also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other professionals from the community who are also trying to contribute to a more inclusive place to live and work, and learning from their experiences has provided me with valuable knowledge that I can apply both in my personal and professional life.”

Valeria Leon

Manager, Commercial Management, Client Contract Administration, and Pride 365 ERG Co-Chair

Metrolinx

2023 Cohort

FAQ

Here are some questions you might be asking yourself when considering whether or not THRIVE is right for you and associated answers:

What do you get for the price of the ticket?

When you purchase a ticket to attend THRIVE, you will get access to:

Five group sessions featuring top Two-Spirit, queer, and trans leaders on topics like authenticity in leadership, the impact of inclusion and communication
Opportunities to connect with your peers in five study group sessions
An exclusive virtual speed networking event at the beginning of the program
Access to the THRIVE Alumni LinkedIn Group to connect with previous, current, and future cohorts of THRIVE
Access to Pride at Work Canada’s Member Webinars and Events during the course of the program

Is this event a good place to find a job?

All of the programming at THRIVE will focus on making change within your current employment environment, whether that’s through being a better manager, employee volunteerism or working with an employee resource group (ERG)*. Attendees who have been in the workforce for at least five years, are currently working and have some responsibility around managing staff will likely get the most out of the program. If you don’t have a job right now or if you’re still in school, you are more than welcome. You just might not get as much immediate benefit from the speakers and content as other attendees.

If you’re a jobseeker, you may want to consider attending one of our upcoming ProPride events taking place from May to September. These events are free and open to the public. Maybe we’ll see you at THRIVE 2025 after you’ve landed that dream job!

* Please note we use Employee Resource Group as a catch all term which is inclusive of Business Resource Groups, Affinity Networks, and other similar employee led groups focused on equity-deserving groups.

Is this event only for 2SLGBTQIA+ people or can allies attend as well?

Everyone is welcome at THRIVE! The goal of the event is to energize and enable Two-Spirit, queer, and trans talent. So most of the speakers will be 2SLGBTQIA+ and the content will focus on the experience of being 2SLGBTQIA+. All of the event learning outcomes are about how to succeed in the workplace as an out leader. If you don’t identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ but think you could get something out of that experience, we want you with us.

This sounds intense. I know about my own identity, but not much about the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities more broadly. Will I be totally lost?

At Pride at Work Canada, we hear the same thing over and over from 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals: “Everyone at work expects me to be an expert on the community just because I’m insert identity here!” So don’t worry, we don’t expect you to come to THRIVE with encyclopedic knowledge of queer and trans communities. Hopefully you’ll learn more about the community from the conference content and your fellow attendees. We’ll share some Community Guidelines before the event to make sure you have positive interactions with other attendees, regardless of your experience.

If you want to brush up on your vocabulary, learn about the history of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada or just feel more prepared for the event, try completing some of Pride at Work Canada’s elearning courses in preparation for THRIVE.

Interested in our next cohort? Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on our social media channels, or fill out this form to receive direct communication from our team.