Leading Change Fellowship 2025

The 2025 Leading Change Fellowship has officially wrapped! A heartfelt thank‑you to our incredible cohort of fellows for their commitment, passion, and leadership throughout the program.

Over six months, our cohort of 25 fellows from diverse sectors, backgrounds, and regions across Canada explored the intersections of environmental resilience, financial wellbeing, and cooperation in business. Together, they engaged with experts, developed new skills, and expanded their networks.

To conclude the program, fellows put their learning into action, working in teams to design real‑world projects addressing sustainability challenges in their communities. Congratulations to Climate Shield Canada, whose initiative was selected as the winning project by our panel of expert judges.

Thank you again to the 2025 cohort for their dedication, curiosity, and for demonstrating what leading change looks like in action.

About the Program

The Leading Change Fellowship is a transformative virtual program aimed at empowering young people aged 19-35 residing across Canada from diverse backgrounds to emerge as leaders in sustainability. Through a combination of specialized training and hands-on projects, participants gain essential knowledge and skills to help shape a future where financial wellbeing, resiliency, and cooperation are central tenets of societal progress. 

Over the course of five months, fellows engage in the three main pillars:

Environmental resilience: Unpack how to support and scale actions that encourage climate change risk mitigation, adaptation and resiliency 
Financial wellbeing: Explore financial security and wellbeing in Canada, and how this is linked to climate change and long-term sustainability
Cooperation in business: Discover cooperative businesses that operate on principles of democracy, equity and solidarity, and depart from traditional ways of doing business

The Fellowship kicked off in August 2025 and concluded in January 2026. During this time, fellows met on a bi-weekly basis for a series of expert-led workshops. Outside of the sessions, fellows completed readings, reflections, and assignments.

The Fellowship culminated in a final project that empowered fellows to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired by working in teams to develop initiatives that drive real-world impact.

Testimonials

“The Leading Change Fellowship was a truly transformative experience. It connected me with an inspiring community of emerging sustainability leaders and strengthened my ability to drive meaningful change. The program gave me renewed confidence, sharper leadership skills, and a clearer path for creating real impact.”

"The Leading Change Fellowship was a fantastic opportunity to break away from my typical circles to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, all united around a common goal. It was inspiring to hear how many ways there are to tackle the problem of climate change, and I am so grateful for the learnings and perspectives I get to carry forward!"

"Reflecting on the past few months, I can genuinely say I’ve learned so much and feel so much more confident in new realms of sustainability that I’m excited to bring forward, personally and professionally. Plus, a fantastic new network of peers! Opportunities like the Leading Change Fellowship are so valuable, and I’m really excited to watch the program continue to grow in the future. I'm feeling very inspired and fulfilled, and I'm so appreciative of the opportunity!"

What was covered

Module 1: Environmental Resilience

Supporting and scaling actions that educate and encourage climate change risk mitigation, adaptation and resiliency

Grounding the Fellowship in a discussion of our mental health and wellbeing, including how to turn eco-anxiety into eco-action
Defining key terms: climate change, sustainability, environmental prosperity & resilience  
Understanding the impacts of climate change in Canada
Exploring climate change adaption and mitigation solutions, including: 
- Decarbonization, including the role of cleantech and other green innovations
- Resilience-building, including disaster preparedness & emergency response 
- The role of biodiversity and nature-based solutions 
- Advancing a just and equitable transition
Sharing Indigenous practices for environmental prosperity and resilience

Duration: 3 sessions 

Module 2: Financial Wellbeing

Fostering financial security and resiliency for Canadians looking to build skills, find employment / mitigate risks, particularly for those that are underrepresented.

Exploring our own financial literacy, including identification of knowledge gaps and discovery of challenges and barriers faced
Building financial resilience, including education on the types of financial services and supports available in Canada
Exploring how to ‘Move Money for Good’
- Learning about the links between our own finances and climate change
- Taking actionable steps to engage with personal finances in ways that are values-aligned

Duration: 3 sessions 

Module 3: Cooperation in Business

Raising awareness around different business models including the cooperative model

Defining the cooperative business model as an alternative to traditional businesses focused on maximizing shareholder profits
Exploring the benefits of cooperatives to society, and how to engage with and amplify co-operatives across Canada

Duration: 2 sessions

Get in Touch:

If you have questions or would like more information about the Fellowship, contact us admin@leadingchangecanada.com.

Thanks to our Sponsors

We are grateful to Cooperators, the University of Toronto, Coast Capital, and Wawanesa for their commitment to fostering positive change and innovation within our community.