Change Agent

WCT Alberta Change Agent Program 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

WCT’s Alberta Change Agent Program is a new initiative designed to equip women, or those who identify as women, with a foundation in the skills required for effective change management in their organizations and careers. The objective of the program is to equip groups of “reverse mentors” to lead pro-diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in their organizations. 

The program, which is free of charge, will benefit Alberta employers by enriching employees’ aptitude for change leadership and by increasing its team of leaders in the progress toward a more robust and inclusive culture. 

For participants, the program will provide new insights into their own capacities for leadership, managing change and advocating for diversity equity and inclusion. 

Join the January WCT Change Agent Program Today!

WCT is offering this program for two groups of 20 participants, one in October and the other in January. Both cohorts consist of seven sessions. All sessions, live and virtual, are designed to be highly interactive. 

We had a full house at the WCT Alberta Change Agent kick-off event for the October cohort. Participants met one another and heard from a roster of inspiring leaders on diversity equity and inclusion, identifying your purpose and change management.

Change Agent is designed for those of you seeking new insights into your capacities for leadership, and how to be an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in your organizations. 

With our first cohort in place, we're now welcoming our second in January.

We still have a limited number of seats avaliable. Get your application in now!

DEADLINE TO APPLY: DECEMBER 15

WHAT'S INCLUDED

A schedule will be released for the January cohort shortly. Keep an eye on this space for more updates.

October Cohort Virtual Sessions 

Session 1 - Reinventing Leadership: Becoming A Change Agent - This session features guest speaker Kiersten Mohr. Kiersten is a professional geologist who built a successful 17-year career in the energy industry. Her personal leadership attributes helped to lead significant change in her organization and her own career. Kiersten is currently the Founder and Managing Director of Terra Firma Transition.

Session 2 - Leadership and Authenticity - An exploration of how authenticity and the contributions from a variety of diverse lived experiences build stronger organizations. Special guest speaker Katherine Emberly, President, Business at Shaw Communications will share how her discovery of her own authenticity positively altered her career and her contribution to her organization.

Session 3 - Finding Your Voice as a Leader - This session will focus on tools and strategies for effective communication. It will also explore the power of concepts such as “radical candour." Two guest speakers will join us to discuss the importance of inclusive language as we build more diverse organizations. 

Nancy Mitchell is Program Manager at the Diversity Institute of the Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University. Jennifer Rideout is Partner and Executive Thought Leadership Marketing Leader for Cisco Canada and Co-lead of Pride Global for Cisco.

Session 4 - Power and Influence – An exploration of the dynamics and strategies to deal with the sometimes stressful and painful redistribution of power and influence in an organization. 

Jake Stika, Co-founder and Executive Director of Next Gen Men and Geoff Hughes, Founder and Owner of Park Digital Marketing will join us to discuss the importance of allyship and strategies for finding and engaging allies.

Session 5 - Creating Safe Environments for Change to Flourish – An exploration into creating safe spaces for the variety of lived experiences of people from under-represented groups. 

Our guest speakers for this session will be Julie Branscombe, Director of EDI at Cogeco Inc and Lisa Gee, Acting Director, Marketing Campaigns, Benevity. Julie and Lisa are both participating in the Change Agent program and will share their hands-on experiences in building employee resource groups in their organizations.

Session 6 – Carrying This Work Forward - this last session is an opportunity for the participants to share what they’re taking from the program 

ELIGIBILITY  

This program is open to women, or those who identify as a woman, of all ages, employed in Alberta. Application form requires an uploaded copy of the applicant’s resume. Application process also requires the applicant to identify a sponsor from within their organization. 

THE CHANGE AGENT SPONSOR 

The sponsor plays a vital role in the success of the Alberta Change Agent program. Their task is to track the participant’s progress and to provide counsel on how the participant may best share the knowledge acquired with others in the organization including senior leadership. Sponsors do not need to be women. They should be further in their careers than the participant. They do not need to be in the participant’s reporting line or on the participant's work team. Sponsors are encouraged to attend any or all the Change Agent program sessions. 

Apply now!

The WCT Change Agent Program is free of charge to Alberta-based participants and their employers. 

For any questions or inquiries, please email: Hana Sabah, hsabah [at] wct-fct.com  

WCT gratefully acknowledges funding support for this program. The Province of Alberta is working in partnership with the Government of Canada to provide employment support  programs and services. Funding is provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Alberta Job Fund.