Leadership in Action: A Look at McMaster’s Inaugural Organizational Leaders cohort

The university’s first offering of the Organizational Leaders Program has officially wrapped, marking the end of an engaging learning journey for 15 academic and administrative leaders who came together to learn, grow, and build lasting connections. 

The Organizational Leaders Program is the latest evolution in McMaster’s world-class learning and development offerings. Designed for our environment, this program combines curated learning experiences, personalized growth plans, and collaborative peer interactions. 

It emphasized continuous learning, adaptability, and collaboration; all skills essential for leading with impact. 

“Recognizing the pivotal role that Organizational Leaders play, we are thrilled to offer this engaging program focused on navigating the complex higher education environment,” says Matheus Grasselli, Deputy Provost and program Co-Sponsor.  “It was inspiring to watch the collaboration, expert facilitation, and shared learning come to life.” 

Launched in January and concluding in early October 2025, the program was delivered in partnership with Faculty Leadership & Development, DeGroote Executive Education, and Human Resources Services.  

“Investing in our leaders is investing in the future of McMaster,” Wanda McKenna, Associate Vice-President and Chief Human Resources Officer and program Co-Sponsor. “This program reflects our commitment to leadership excellence and the wide range of development opportunities we provide for our people” 

Participants were nominated by their Dean or Associate Vice-President and represented a diverse cross- section of leaders who oversee an academic or administrative department.  

Here’s what participants had to say about their experience:

“Sharing leadership styles, approaches, and philosophies with colleagues who understand McMaster’s culture, structure, and ways of operating gave new energy to principles I had previously studied but not had the chance to explore with peers within the same organization. It became clear to me, and to many others in the program, that we are building a McMaster community of leaders.” – Sophia Holness, Associate Director, Digital Student Experience 

“The most valuable takeaway for me was being able to gain further insight on how strong partnerships can drive transformational leadership. Meeting the pilot cohort was an incredible opportunity – where else would we all be together in one room? The connections we build will extend beyond our time in the program! It has also reinforced the importance of leading with empathy and support, while empowering my team to grow confidently as we all work towards successful outcomes.” – Rosa Da Silva, Associate Dean-Undergraduate Studies, Faculty of Science

We look forward to welcoming another cohort of Organizational Leader participants soon. Stay tuned for more details! 

To learn more about Leadership Development programs, visit Leading at McMaster.