Leadership Winnipeg Institute
Growing the next generation of Winnipeg leaders
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is launching the Leadership Winnipeg Institute, an expansion of Leadership Winnipeg designed to strengthen Winnipeg’s long-term leadership pipeline and better connect emerging leaders to the future of our city.
Building on a proven model, the Institute will expand participant access, deepen engagement, and create stronger pathways into civic, business and community leadership.
Through facilitated workshops, discussions with established leaders, site visits, and collaborative projects, participants will gain practical leadership experience grounded in Winnipeg’s economic and social realities.
In addition to our original Leadership Winnipeg program, we are pleased to offer the following sessions in 2026-2027:
- Learn to Lead (Fall 2026)
- Purpose Driven Business (Winter 2027)
- New to Winnipeg (Spring 2027)
Fall 2026
Learn to Lead
3 half days (Oct. 16, Nov. 5, Nov. 20) – in person
Maximum 25 participants
HALF-DAY 1: The Foundation of Great Leadership: A Self-Awareness Intensive
Friday, October 16 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Johnston Group Event Centre
200 Portage Avenue, Unit 101
Presented by Tamara Kroeker, EnneagramAWARE
What is self-awareness? Many of us can identify when it is (or isn’t) present – but knowing it when you see it is only the beginning. The real work is going beyond identification to intentional growth, and learning how to do that while navigating the pressures of leadership. That’s what this course is about.
This session combines learning, personal reflection, and open conversation. It’s practical and grounded, you’ll leave with real insight into your own leadership style and a clearer picture of where your greatest opportunities for growth live.
Together we’ll define and explore key elements of what makes a self-aware leader, why it sits at the foundation of everything else you do, and, using the Iceberg Model as our guide, we’ll go all the way down to the deepest layer: your instinctual drives. This is where the real “why” lives. Why you lead the way you do, why certain situations feel effortless and others are a constant drain, and why your relationships with some people just work while others are a perpetual challenge.
If you’ve ever wondered why you keep bumping into the same challenges, this is where we start to figure that out.
HALF-DAY 2: Coach for Success
Thursday, November 5 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
ASK Sandler, #2 – 376 Donald St.
Presented by Clint Unrau, Sandler Training
Successful coaching takes time, preparation, and practice to be effective. The Coach to Success course will provide you with an awareness of what it takes to have successful coaching conversations and a model that you can follow and customize to the individual needs of the salesperson and coaching situation.
Using a proven approach, you will prepare for and deliver effective coaching conversations that provide improved performance and results.
Leaders are responsible for developing individuals to have the behaviours, beliefs and skills to be successful at delivering on the targets the leader is held accountable to deliver.
The leader plays 5 primary roles:
- Recruit the key members needed in your team;
- Supervise the accountability of each team member to ensure they are doing behaviours at the appropriate quantity with the required level of skill;
- Training team members to enhance and develop skills specific to their role;
- Coaching team members in a tactical and strategic manner to be successful in their current role.
- Mentor team members to reflect the culture of the company and prepare them for their next role.
HALF-DAY 3: The Intentional People Leader
Friday, November 20 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Johnston Group Event Centre
200 Portage Avenue, Unit 101
Presented by Jane Helbrecht, Uplift Engagement
What if the reason for low employee engagement and performance is closer to home than you think? It’s easy to blame others or outside factors when engagement and motivation are low, but leaders often miss an important opportunity for reflection.
In this session, Jane helps leaders recognize how team success and engagement start with them. What does a proactive and intentional approach to leadership actually look like? This session focuses on foundational elements: understanding leadership responsibility, balancing performance and well-being, developing your leadership values, the science of engagement and motivation and building a leadership practice for the future.
Member Rate: $499 + tax
Non-Member Rate: $699 + tax
Open to anyone – you do not need to be a graduate of our original Leadership Winnipeg program.
To learn more about the benefits of a Chamber membership, including discounted ticket rates click here.
Winter 2027
Purpose Driven Business
1 full day + 2 half days – in-person
Maximum 25 participants
This program is geared towards participants with 5–10 years of business experience or Leadership Winnipeg alumni.
Presenters:
- Brendan Reimer, Vice President & Strategic Partner, Values-Based Banking, ACU
- Sarah Duval, President & CEO of the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association
This interactive workshop explores the role of social purpose in modern leadership and organizational culture. Participants will examine how leaders can align values, community impact, and business goals to create stronger organizations and more meaningful engagement. Through discussion, reflection and practical examples, participants will leave with actionable ideas for integrating purpose-driven leadership into their work and communities.
Spring 2027
New to Winnipeg
1 full day + 2 half days, in-person
Maximum 25 participants
Venues: JGEC & other host organizations
This stream is designed for people who are new to Winnipeg and want to build connections, explore opportunities to get involved, and feel more at home in the city. Participants will learn about Winnipeg’s communities, local businesses, and economic landscape while gaining insight into the opportunities, challenges, and issues shaping the city today.
Day 1. Understanding the City (Culture, Identity & History)
Day 2. The Local Business & Economic Landscape
Day 3: Getting Involved in the Community and Making Professional Connections
Subscribe for Updates to The Institute
If you would like to be notified as dates and details are confirmed, please click here.
Meet the Leadership Winnipeg team
Ellen Kornelsen, Director of Programs
Ellen is the Director of Programs at The Winnipeg Chamber. She has been with The Chamber for over 25 years in a variety of roles. She volunteers in her community.
Program Coordinator
Andrea Cove is the Program & Events Coordinator at The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
Help Grow Winnipeg's Next Generation of Leaders
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Leadership Winnipeg Institute? Share a few details and our team will reach out to schedule a conversation.