Leadership Accelerator
Program
Moving parks and protected areas managers and decision-makers from reacting to events to finding new ways of thinking on issues that seem stuck.
Develop “A Possible Way Forward” on an actual complex issue or opportunity facing your organization and present to a panel of CPPCL Alumni and young professionals.
This six-month online program focuses on understanding the complex and underlying drivers of wicked problems facing each participant in their park, protected or conserved areas organization. Participants will work through their challenge with focused and intentional tasks–and opportunities to collaborate with peers. At the conclusion of the program, participants will present a proposal for a “possible way forward” to a panel of park leadership experts for feedback and to ignite the next steps..
The program progresses through four themes:
- Wicked Problems in Parks and Protected Areas (workshop one)
- Design Thinking and Systems Change (workshop two)
- Experimenting to Innovate and Learn (workshop three)
- Persuasion and Motivating Change (workshop four)
2023/2024 Program Dates
Participants are expected to attend all sessions and choose a complex real-world leadership challenge or opportunity facing them in their work, and will be required to deliver a short final presentation. Participants will be assigned tasks to complete between workshops.
Date | Session |
|---|---|
June 30, 2023 | CPC Agencies Confirm Spots |
July 1 | Remaining spots open to other organizations |
September 8 | Deadline to Confirm NamesProgram one-on-ones and solo tasks begin. |
September to February | Online Workshops (4th Thursday, 1100-1530h Eastern) |
September 28 | Wicked Problems in Parks and Protected Areas |
October 26 | Design Thinking and Systems Change |
November 23 | Experimenting to Innovate and Learn |
December 28 | NO WORKSHOP |
January 26 | Persuasion and Motivating Change |
February 22 | Presentation of “A Possible Way Forward” to panel of alumni and young professionals |
Who is it for?
The Leadership Accelerator Program is designed for professionals in decision- making roles in parks and protected areas who are currently facing complex issues in their work and who could benefit from an intentional process and dedicated time to explore the challenges and opportunities that come with that wicked problem. Diverse personal and professional perspectives enrich this learning experience and we will do our best to accommodate learner needs.
This program is primarily delivered in English with bilingual presentation of most material and simultaneous interpretation may be available during panel presentations. Tasks can be completed in the language of your preference. Many participants are bilingual in French and English and we do our best to ensure the full participation of Francophone learners in discussions and written tasks.
Participant Selection Process
Priority placement is held for member agencies of the Canadian Parks Council until June 30th, after which external applicants are welcome to apply to fill any remaining spaces. Contact CPPCL to submit your name to the waiting list. You will be notified in early July if there is room for you to participate.
Program Commitments
Three weeks pre-Accelerator preparation (~ 4 hours total): Participants will connect with program facilitator to define their wicked challenge or opportunity and post a short (< 2 minute) introductory video to their complex issue and their park, protected, or conserved area.
Four monthly workshops and Accelerator tasks (~2 hours per week):
Participants will meet once per month with the entire team for a half-day online workshop, and will complete assigned independent tasks to advance their “Possible Way Forward.” Participants may also work with the facilitator to further develop the issue they presented at the eResidency through a series of independent, locally-based tasks.
Final Panel Presentation (~2 hours per week):
Participants will present a “Possible Way Forward” to a panel of youth and alumni who will provide feedback for possible next steps or lessons learned.
Participants require internet and webcam access and must commit to avoiding distractions during sessions, participating fully in independent tasks, and should try to have reasonable access to a nearby outdoor space for activities. Projects will be based on real-world challenges and opportunities and confidentiality among the cohort is expected.