THRIVE 2025
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 Two-spirit, 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 fifth THRIVE cohort will collectively unlock their potential as out leaders.
We will be hosting an exclusive Information Session about THRIVE on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Register now and take the first step toward thriving in your leadership career!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
The fifth cohort of THRIVE will support a positive learning environment and peer-to-peer learning. The process by which those interested in participating will open on Thursday, December 5, 2024. The deadline for applications will be Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Those selected for the fifth THRIVE cohort will pay a participation fee, due upon acceptance.
- Fee for employees of Pride at Work Canada’s Proud Partners & Community Partners: $1,500 (plus applicable taxes)
- Fee for employees of other organizations: $2,000 (plus applicable taxes)
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.
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
SPEAKERS
ANN DIVINE (she/her)
CEO and founder of Ashanti Leadership and Professional Development Services Inc.
SAYLESH WESLEY (she/her)
Indigenous Enhancement Teacher,
Chilliwack School District
CHANDRAN FERNANDO
Managing Partner,
Matrix360
PAUL TAYLOR (he/him)
Anti-poverty activist & Co-Managing Director / Teacher, Evenings & Weekends Consulting / Simon Fraser University
KJELD MIZPAH (KJ) CONYERS-STEEDE (he/him)
CEO, Future Civics, Social Innovator, Advocate for Rural Transformation
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
All sessions will be on Tuesday evenings, beginning at 6 PM ET and running 2h, depending on the speaker.
SESSIONS
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Kick-Off Session: Telling Your Story and Putting Equity Measures into Practice
- Speakers: Paul Taylor (he/him) & Saylesh Wesley (she/her)
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Anti-racist Leadership
- Speaker: Chandran Fernando
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Decolonizing Leadership
- Speaker: TBA
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Thriving as a leader: incorporating mental health strategies in the workplace
- Speaker: Ann Divine (she/her)
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
The Future of Work
- Speaker: Kjeld Mizpah (KJ) Conyers-Steede (he/him)
Networking Event
Beyond study groups, participants will also have the opportunity to connect further with their peers through an exclusive virtual speed networking event happening at the beginning of the program, in addition to gaining access to the THRIVE Alumni LinkedIn Group.
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 6 PM ET
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 6 PM ET
Learning Objectives
- To build strategic connections with other out leaders
- To further leadership development through a combination of support from thought leaders, curriculum focused on self-growth, and networking opportunities
- To deepen the relationship to leadership-focused curriculum through self-directed learning and collaborative study groups
Study Groups
Study groups are meant to deepen the experience of the program by offering the opportunity to collaboratively engage with curriculum material and form networking connections with small groups of peers. It is recommended that study groups occur on alternating Tuesday evenings from 6 pm – 7 pm ET; however, the actual timing of the study group is up to the discretion of each individual study group and can happen at any time between scheduled sessions.
- Week of March 4 – 7, 2025
Topic: Looking Inward: Your Leadership Journey - Week of March 18 – 21, 2025
Topic: Building Anti-Oppression into Your Inclusive Leadership Strategy - Week of April 1 – 4, 2025
Topic: Reflecting on Indigenous Inclusion and Partnerships - Week of April 15 – 18, 2025
Topic: Managing Challenging Conversations - Week of April 29 – May 2, 2025
Topic: Practical applications and reflections of the program and your leadership journey
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
FAQ
Here are some questions you might be asking yourself when considering whether or not THRIVE is right for you and associated answers:
APPLICATION
To support a positive learning experience the number of participants in THRIVE 2025 will be limited. Please provide us with some information about who you are and why you’d like to participate. We’ll use this information to determine a THRIVE 2025 cohort that represents the broad diversity of both the workplaces and communities we serve.
The process by which those interested in participating will open on Thursday, December 5, 2024. The deadline for applications will be Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Those selected for the THRIVE cohort will pay a participation fee of $1,500 (plus applicable taxes) for employees of Pride at Work Canada’s Proud Partners & Community Partners and $2,000 (plus applicable taxes) for employees of other organizations, due upon acceptance.
All submissions are private and confidential, reviewed only by Pride at Work Canada staff.
Questions about THRIVE 2025 can be directed to Templeton Sawyer (he/him), Leadership Programs Coordinator, at templeton.sawyer@prideatwork.ca.
Disclosure: the application form is available only in English because THRIVE will be offered exclusively in English. If you cannot see below, please click here.