Program Overview

The Effective Executive program is Saskatchewan’s most unique and impactful leadership development program, focused on developing and enhancing the leadership capabilities required of senior leaders.  

This retreat-based, immersive program is located in beautiful Elk Ridge Saskatchewan, and provides a blend of self-development, team-development, and practical application. Content is focused on preparing leaders to elevate successfully to senior-leadership roles, while optimizing the critical leadership skills, traits, and abilities required to lead effectively at all levels.  

The program runs from October 1 - 6, 2023, 8:00am - 5:30pm.

Learning Objectives:

The Effective Executive program is guided by two primary learning objectives: 

1. Develop leaders in preparation to successfully advance into executive leadership positions
2. Optimize and enhance leadership capability at all leadership levels 

The program content is organized around the development of two cornerstones of executive leadership:

1. Character: Self-development, focusing on the identification of leadership values, leadership style, and leading in alignment with a clear vision. Programming includes:  Identification of personal leadership values to guide daily actions 360-assessment of leadership competencies 1:1 executive leadership coaching focused on identify development priorities and supporting practical actions to grow as a leader Development of an aspirational leadership vision and customized career development plan to sustain program outcomes

2. Competence: Leadership development focusing on the critical competencies required of senior leaders. Competencies include instilling trust, leading high-performance teams, leading inclusively, influencing others, responding to conflict, negotiating effectively, and strategic thinking. Programming includes:  Developing a strategic mindset and creating a plan aligned with organizational vision and direction.  Building a culture of trust and psychological safety, resulting in enhanced team performance.  A highly interactive team-simulation experiences, exposing the critical skills required to build high-performance teams.  Development of inclusive leadership traits and skills to lead and enhance a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.  Analyzing your communication styles and behavioural responses to difficult situations and arising conflicts.  Engaging in effective patterns of communications and behaviours to achieve your desired outcomes and results.  Simulated negotiation activities that build your skills in achieving win-win outcomes.   Identifying the key internal and external drivers of organizational success.

• Who Should Attend

  The Effective Executive Leadership program is ideal for managers and executives with at least five years of experience in a management role from small companies to large corporations, government, and not-for-profit organizations who wish to strengthen their leadership competence and enhance their personal performance.

  The program attracts middle, senior and executive-level individuals from various functions in numerous organizations and industries. It is suited for highly capable and motivated individuals who are responsible for managing resources and getting results.

• How Will This Program Benefit Me

  Edwards Effective Executive is an experience that will provide significant benefits to both you and your organization. Retreat and renew in a destination that is the perfect escape from the day-to-day stress and distractions.

  The program will empower you to:

  • Own your personal leadership values and gain awareness of the vulnerability of leadership
  • Make high impact decisions, set personal goals, problem-solve and activate executive strategy 
  • Become a more effective leader, strategic thinker, and agent of positive change
  • Be able to manage your organization through newly acquired ideas, tools and templates
  • Take control of your lifestyle by returning your focus to healthy living by participating in daily fitness activities and an optional one-on-one coaching session with a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer

  The program will provide:

  • Ample opportunity to network with seasoned professionals from across North America from a variety of organizations and industries. Whether it’s in-class discussions, breaks, dining table groups, or optional extracurricular evening activities, there is always time to share ideas with fellow participants.
• What Is Included
  • Digital platform and learning materials 
  • Certificate of completion 
  • Credential to add to your CV and LinkedIn Profile 
  • 1:1 executive coaching debrief on leadership assessment 
    • One coaching session before retreat 
    • One coaching session after the retreat
  • 360 assessment of leadership competencies 
  • DiSC personal assessment 
  • Immersive in-person experience in beautiful Elk Ridge, SK 
  • Interactive team-simulation experience 
  • Custom leadership development plan 
  • Personalized leadership values and vision 
  • 1:1 coaching session with a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer (optional) 
  • Access to digital alumni platform, complete with supporting learning resources
  • 45 CPHR Saskatchewan Continued Professional Development (CPD) Hours
  • PMI Professional Development Units (PDU's)

  

Check out the funding opportunities available through the Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant and Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy. 

Program Faculty

Our program instructors are top academics from the University of Saskatchewan and industry experts in the areas of Leadership and Management. We also have one of the University of Saskatchewan's respected exercise psychologists to bring a balance of personal development and growth along with professional.

• Instructor Profiles

  	Brett Elmgren, MA, CPHR Brett Elmgren is the President and Founder of Axom Leadership Inc. His work focuses on supporting leaders to find personal empowerment to drive transformational change. Brett Elmgren is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources with over 13 years of professional HR experience working for Saskatchewan’s largest organizations. Most recently Brett Elmgren held the position of Director of Talent Development for Nutrien, and was responsible for leading the global leadership development strategy for over 25,000 employees. Brett played a senior leadership role in bringing together the merger between PotashCorp and Agrium resulting in the creation of Nutrien, by leading the organization design and talent selection process.  Brett holds a Masters Degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan.
  	Noreen Mahoney, BComm, CPA, CA, MBA, ICD.D Noreen is the Associate Dean Academic and Director of Executive Education at the Edwards School of Business.  She is a facilitator and educator with over 20 years of experience leading people and developing greatness in others. Noreen has a background steeped in business management both in education and experience.   Having successfully led various teams, she is able to back the latest trends in Leadership and Management Development with firsthand “real life” experiences.  She is recognized for having a unique ability to thrive in a collegial, complex and unstructured environment and focus on positive outcomes for all stakeholders with a passion for problem-solving, mentoring, and inspiring trust.  She facilitates various programs through her diverse background including leadership and management, personal financial management, governance, strategy and risk management, financial reporting, and assurance.
  	Brooke Klassen, BComm, MBA, CMgr  Brooke Klassen is an Assistant Professor at the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan. With more than fifteen years of post-secondary experience, her teaching specializations include marketing, business strategy, decision making and entrepreneurship. Prior to her role as a professor, she was a senior administrator in the Edwards School of Business and led a team of student services staff for almost eight years. Brooke has been a management consultant for almost eight years and has completed more than 70 projects in the areas of strategy, governance, organizational change and communications. Her client list includes private, public, government and Indigenous organizations from a variety of industries. She is also an accomplished author and her work has been published in several well-respected peer reviewed journals.
  	Gray Ferguson, BSc. Kin, MBA | Fitness, Lifestyle and Nutrition Gray Ferguson is a Supervisor at the Fit Centre at the College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan. He holds a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology, certification as Exercise Physiologist and his MBA through the Edwards School of Business.  He is an exercise physiologist consultant for the Sport Medicine and Science Council of Saskatchewan and works as a personal trainer for amateur and professional athletes.
  	Rick Reid, BComm, CPHR  Rick Reid is a human resources professional with twenty years of experience in a variety of strategic advisory and leadership positions in both public and private sector organizations. Currently a member of the human resources team at the University of Saskatchewan and working with the Edwards School of Business, Rick has a Bachelor of Commerce from Edwards, holds a CPHR designation, and has recently become a Certified Leadership Coach.  Rick’s career has primarily focused in the areas of employee and labour relations, talent acquisition, and employee learning and development. He has extensive experience in conducting workplace investigations, conflict resolution, performance management, and leading organizational HR change initiatives. While in leadership positions, Rick has valued opportunities to coach, mentor, and support the growth and professional development of individuals, while working together towards building cohesive, high performing teams. Rick enjoys working with leaders and their teams on the development and execution of their strategic plans, developing strategic human resources programs that help support and drive organizational priorities, facilitating employee training and development activities, and supporting leaders and employees in both creating and working towards their career development goals.

• Message from the Facilitator
  "This program provides a unique and immersive learning experience for leaders seeking to develop and enhance the capabilities required to lead at a senior organizational level. The program has been thoughtfully designed to incorporate a blend of introspective self-development, social team-development, and real-life practical application. All within the serene setting of Elk Ridge, Saskatchewan. If you’re a leader seeking innovative leadership development in preparation for a senior role, this program is the perfect experience for you. We hope to see you in Elk Ridge!” 

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   Brett Elmgren, Facilitator