Leadership Development
2022 Program Update
We have made the difficult decision to conclude the Executive Directions leadership development program offerings at CCVO.
Thank you to those who’ve helped shape Executive Directions over the years. We are deeply grateful for your participation and support.
We understand that there is no single approach or answer to the issues nonprofit leaders face every day. CCVO’s Leadership Development programs, Executive Directions Summit and Executive Directions Ascent, offer executive and senior nonprofit leaders the latest thinking in leadership practices, applied to their current leadership challenges.
the executive directions difference
With small cohorts and flexible programming, Executive Directions Summit and Executive Directions Ascent remain responsive to address the needs and expectations of participants. Guided by expert facilitators, and as part of a peer learning community, participants experience personal and professional growth, create close peer networks, and develop more confidence as nonprofit leaders.
Proven leadership resources provide the foundation to build participants’ skills, processes and approaches required for effective leadership – and many leadership programs stop there. The Executive Directions Leadership Development programs are unique in that they focus on the practical application of learning and cohort support to integrate lessons into participants’ daily work. Each cohort of 8-10 people learns together online through the duration of the program, creating an environment that fosters trust, openness, and strong, lasting relationships.
Click here to learn about the history of Executive Directions and the dedicated individuals who shaped the program.
Executive Directions Summit
For executive directors and CEOs
Executive Directions Summit is an eight-week online program for executive directors and CEOs ready to take bold steps to uncover their leadership potential and create greater impact. Facilitators guide the group sessions and create an individualized and transformational experience that reflects the needs of participants, with learning resources being shared pre and post session to support themes addressed in the program. Small peer discussions are held biweekly throughout the program where participants can share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and build connections.
Executive Directions Ascent
For directors and managers
Executive Directions Ascent is an eight-week online program designed for managers and directors looking to grow their careers in the nonprofit sector. Facilitators guide a biweekly group discussion focused on one or two themes as identified by participants, with learning resources shared pre and post session to reinforce learnings or offer new insight. Small peer discussions are held biweekly throughout the program where participants can share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and build connections.
History of Executive Directions
Executive Directions was founded by Wayne Stewart and Corey Olynik in 2005. The program was designed for executive directors and CEOs in the nonprofit sector as a dynamic process to develop their confidence and competence, contribute to their personal and professional growth, and increase their ability to effectively lead their organizations and make a difference within the sector. The program, based on the cohort model, consisted of monthly full-day sessions and also included a one-on-one coaching component.
After almost a decade of successfully leading the program, and significantly contributing to the growth of leaders, their organizations, and the nonprofit sector, the founders decided it was time for Executive Directions to find a permanent home that would help it reach its full potential in supporting the health and leadership of the sector. The program strongly aligned with CCVO’s goals of supporting sector leadership and capacity building, and came to CCVO in 2016 as a two-year program designed specifically for executive directors and CEOs of nonprofit organizations. A need for leadership development for emerging and senior leaders was later identified, and another stream of Executive Directions was developed shortly after. The program was then divided into two streams, Summit and Ascent; the Summit stream, an 18-month program (reduced slightly from the original length of two-years) for executive directors and CEOs; and the Ascent stream, a six-month program developed for mid- to senior-level leaders.
Ongoing research, evaluation, and feedback from alumni and interested participants supported the fact that there was great interest in the program, as well as a need for leadership development in the sector. What was also identified were some of the barriers to participation, with the biggest being cost – both in time and money. In 2019, the CCVO team enrolled in The Social Impact Lab and United Way of Calgary and Area’s Inspire program to take a deep dive through a design thinking lens, and evaluate the program’s strengths and challenges, and determine ways it could be adapted to meet the needs of leaders in the community. The process resulted in a redesign of the program and business model, with the notable change of becoming a shorter eight-week program offered virtually, to allow more flexibility and affordability to organizations and leaders. Amongst these changes, Executive Directions core objectives still remain. The program maintains a cohort-based framework – led by a skill facilitator – which recognizes the value of the wisdom in the room and peer learning, development of trust and building relationships, and focusing on topics based on the needs of the cohort. CCVO is committed to the program outcomes of building confidence and competence of leaders to create a stronger, more stable organization, and a connected network of nonprofit leaders who support and contribute to a healthy sector and community.
THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO’VE HELPED SHAPE AND SUPPORT EXECUTIVE DIRECTIONS
CCVO has and continues to collaborate with a range of outstanding professionals who have shaped and contributed to the success of the program.
Wayne Stewart, Executive Directions Founder
Corey Olynik, Executive Directions Founder
Ruth Esau, Principal, Executive Directions & Executive Directions Coach
Leslie Tamagi
Greg Campbell
John Rook
Karen Whiteman
Larry Thiessen
Lisa Falkowsky
Alison Stutz
Sidney Craig Courtice
Tracey Braun
Fawna Bews