Engaged Leadership Program

The Engaged Leadership Program is designed for managers and entrepreneurs who are ready to take the next step in their career progression. The program will provide resilient leadership training, mentorship, and community engagement opportunities for our future leaders.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is committed to building thriving communities. The late Dr. Don Rix, a renowned philanthropist and Governor of the Board of Trade, was dedicated to supporting the development of young people. Through his generosity, the Rix Centre for Corporate Leadership Endowment was established in 2009 and has led to the establishment of our Leaders of Tomorrow mentorship program.


Laurie Rix, daughter of the late Dr. Rix:

“Championing the next generation of leaders was a passion and priority of my father. He would be delighted to see this program coming to life, which will teach the many aspects of being an engaged citizen in business and in the community.”

Through the Rix Centre for Leadership, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has built on Dr. Rix’s vision and is commencing the fourth cohort of the Engaged Leadership Program in January 2025.

Who will benefit:

  • High-potential managers
  • Forward-thinking strategists
  • Innovative leaders
  • Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs

Why participate:

  • Futureproof yourself for the workforce of today and tomorrow
  • Develop a network of peers and industry trendsetters
  • Establish yourself as a leader by contributing to the community

Price:

  • Member - $995 + GST
  • Non-Member - $1,495 + GST

2025 Cohort Schedule

Cohort A

December 2024 (Date TBC) ELP Welcome Social  
Friday, January 17, 2025 Course 1 – Innovation and Engagement (by BCIT) 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Friday, February 7 Roundtable 1 ASpeaker TBC 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Friday, March 7 Course 2 – Change Management (by BCIT) 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Friday, March 28 Roundtable 2 A Speaker TBC 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25 Course 3 – Understanding Board Governance 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Friday, May 16 Roundtable 3 ASpeaker TBC 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
May 2025 (Date TBC) A Night of Non-Profit Engagement  
Friday, June 13 Mentorship Roundtables - Speakers TBC 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
June 2025 (Date TBC) Engaged Leadership Grad Night & Networking  

 

Cohort B

December 2024 (Date TBC) ELP Welcome Social  
Friday, January 17, 2025 Course 1 – Innovation and Engagement (by BCIT) 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Friday, February 14 Roundtable 1 BSpeaker TBC 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Friday, March 7 Course 2 – Change Management (by BCIT) 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Friday, April 4 Roundtable 2 B Speaker TBC 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25 Course 3 – Understanding Board Governance 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Friday, May 23 Roundtable 3 B Speaker TBC 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
May 2025 (Date TBC) A Night of Non-Profit Engagement  
Friday, June 13 Mentorship Roundtables - Speakers TBC 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
June 2025 (Date TBC) Engaged Leadership Grad Night & Networking  

 

*Please note that participants must attend all three courses in order to qualify for a certificate of completion.
Dates are subject to change

Program Structure

Curated content for emerging leaders

The Engaged Leadership Program consists of 20-30 hours of course material, community engagement, networking opportunities, and roundtables with high-profile business leaders over a six-month period. Program activities start in January and participants are required to attend courses and roundtables and to participate in events and community outreach activities.

2025 roundtable speakers to be announced. Past speakers include:

Hon. Janet Austin

Hon. Janet Austin

O.B.C.
Lieutenant Governor of B.C.

Sue Paish

Sue Paish, Q.C.

CEO
Digital Technology Supercluster

Keith Henry

Keith Henry

President and CEO
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)

Ken Sim

Ken Sim

Mayor
City of Vancouver

Martin Thibodeau

Martin Thibodeau

Regional President
British Columbia, RBC Royal Bank

Chris Lewis

Chris Lewis

Director of Indigenous Initiatives & Reconciliation
SFU and Former Spokesperson & Elected Councillor, Squamish Nation

Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia

Wendy
Lisogar-Cocchia

CEO
Century Plaza Hotel and Co-Founder

Enrollment Eligibility

If you have any questions, please email programs@boardoftrade.com

  • An undergraduate degree in any discipline — industry experience may be considered in place of an academic degree.
  • Have a minimum of five years of professional work experience, including two years of management or leadership role*.
  • Reside in the Greater Vancouver region for the duration of the program.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

* Most participants have between five and fifteen years of professional work experience.

Learning requirements: To to earn a Certificate of Completion, participants must attend all three courses: Innovation and Engagement, Change Management, and Board Governance.

Apply Now

Advisory Committee

2024-25 Rix Centre for Leadership Executive Committee

Chair

Jessica Fletcher

Jessica Fletcher

Director of Public Affairs
TransLink

2024-25 Rix Centre for Leadership Advisory Committee

Connie Chong

Connie Chong

Dean of Continuing Studies
Langara College

Lucy Day

Lucy Day

Senior Advisor, Special Projects
Shell Canada

Manpreet K. Dhillon

Manpreet K. Dhillon

Legal Counsel, ESG Legal Risk and Disclosure
KPMG

Travis Joern

Travis Joern

Director of Communications
Council of Forest Industries

Susan Lee

Susan Lee

Manager, Commercial Services
YVR

Emma Macklem

Emma Macklem

Founding Partner
Framepoint Public Affairs

Moni Manhas

Moni Manhas

Management Consultant
PwC Canada

Adam McLeod

Adam McLeod

Regional Operations Manager
Polestar

Graeme Majury

Graeme Majury

Director, Risk Management
Provincial Health Services Authority

Maryam Soltanieh

Maryam Soltanieh

Vice President – Construction & Surety Practice
HUB International

Amol Thind

Amol Thind

Business Management Advisor
Coast Capital Savings

Andy Tran

Andy Tran

Manager, Employee Experience
YMCA BC

Lenya Wilks

Lenya Wilks

Director, Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
DiverseCity

Emma Richmond

Darin Wong

Senior Strategy Manager
TELUS

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