About Leadership Winnipeg

Someone once said: "To become a leader one must first be led."

Leadership Winnipeg is about shaping tomorrow's leaders today - bringing together participants from a wide variety of sectors and providing experiences that will inspire and help them develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of themselves, their community and their role in it.

Leadership Winnipeg is about making introductions and connecting with today's leaders, those who are already guiding our city's future. And it is about being given a "backstage pass" to our city, providing a unique first-hand perspective on what's happening in our community and why.

Since 2004, Volunteer Manitoba Inc. and The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce have partnered in offering a 10-session leadership program, which runs annually from October through June.

Our Vision

To foster community leadership in Winnipeg, and to nurture an ever-growing community of informed, visionary and future-oriented leaders of all ages, who are empowered with knowledge, commitment, skills and respect for diversity.

Our Mission

To provide a diverse learning experience for existing and emerging leaders in all sectors of the community, helping to create leadership capacity, which will sustain the future of the city by:

  • Emphasizing individual reflection and teamwork as key parts of the learning experience
  • Involving class participants with community leaders from a wide array of sectors and organizations within the community
  • Focusing on learning through experiences and viewing our community from different points of view

Our Goals

  • To nurture and instill a sense of community trusteeship in potential leaders
  • To expand the number of individuals in Winnipeg who accept leadership roles in business, labour, voluntary and non-profit organizations, government and community.
  • To provide the next generation of potential decision-makers with a broader outlook on their community through practical experiences that heighten their appreciation and understanding of Winnipeg’s history, unique issues, strengths, challenges and potential
  • To develop networks of people who can work together to strengthen the community and help address existing and future community challenges and opportunities

2011-2012 Project Objectives

  • To learn to work as a team with new people, who bring different skills and styles to the table
  • To develop and strengthen personal comfort levels and communication skills in approaching, meeting with and interviewing high-profile people in the community
  • To develop project and time management, organizational and leadership skills
  • To learn first-hand from community leaders what makes a good leader and what skills are required
  • To network with and develop contacts in the community

2011-2012 Meeting Schedule

Wednesday, Oct. 5 - Reception at Government House

Thursday, Oct. 6 - Class

Friday, Oct. 21 - Class

Friday, Nov. 25 - Class

Friday, Dec. 16 - Class

Friday, Jan. 20 - Class

Friday, March 16 - Class

Friday, April 20 - Class

Friday, May 11 - Class

Friday, May 25 - Class

Thursday, June 14 - Graduation and Book Launch

Program Structure

  • The program consists of 10, eight-hour sessions, plus a class project that is completed outside of these hours.
  • Sessions are held once a month and are hosted at various locations in the community.
  • The program is primarily learning by experience as opposed to textbook-based learning.
  • Each session focuses on a theme and includes tours, guest speakers, plus an opportunity to interact with those speakers.
  • A portion of each session is devoted to leadership development – providing the tools that will enhance participant’s communication, facilitation, collaboration and time management skills.
  • Participants are divided into teams to do the project work.

Program Accreditation

Those who successfully complete the Leadership Winnipeg and attend eight of the 10 sessions qualify for 36 hours of elective credit from the University of Manitoba in: 

  • Human Resource Management Certificate Program (HRM)
  • Certificate in Management Program (CIM).