Female worker employee standing at office workplace taking short break in work looking at distance planning future career

Women in Academic Leadership 2026

Online from April 7 to June 23

This program’s seven synchronous sessions will be highly interactive, incorporating group work, case studies, and breakout room discussions. Learn from Dena McMartin, Gina Grandy and other women leaders in higher education. Meet in small groups with mentors and participate in a 360 self-assessment. 

Fees: $3,150 plus GST
Pricing subject to change without notice.

2026

Tuesday, April 710:30 am - 1:00 pm CDT
Tuesday, April 1410:30 am - 1:00 pm CDT
Tuesday, April 2110:30 am - 1:00 pm CDT
Tuesday, May 1210:30 am – 1:30 pm CDT
Tuesday, May 1910:30 am – 1:00 pm CDT
Tuesday, June 910:30 am - 1:30 pm CDT
Tuesday, June 2310:30 am - 1:00 pm CDT

Key topic areas

TBA

Course description

  • Women in Academic Leadership was designed for the women who will become our next academic leaders, women like you. Build your leadership skills and learn how to address the unique issues you may face in the higher education environment. CHERD realizes that although we have made progress, women are still significantly under-represented across senior academic positions. In fact, many Canadian universities have yet to appoint a female president. If you have achieved an early to mid-level of academic leadership and now have your sights on reaching higher levels of academic leadership, join us. Let’s work together, to make a difference in the world of higher education and in your career.

    Delivery methods

    Over the last years, due to COVID-19, Women in Academic Leadership was delivered online using a range of synchronous and asynchronous technologies to facilitate building a community of practice to learn and network. This year, we are once again continuing this practice to provide accessibility regardless of time, travel, and budget constraints. It is also a sustainable option, helping us all to reduce our carbon footprint. 

  • The woman is using her laptop to join a virtual meeting.

Who you will hear and learn from this year

Facilitators


Gina Grandy

Gina Grandy, Dean and Professor, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

Previously, Gina Grandy held the roles of Dean and Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) at the Hill and Levene School of Business, University of Regina. She was also RBC Women in Leadership Scholar and served as lead for the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) in Saskatchewan.

Gina is the co-editor of two books. Her research on leadership, gender and women’s experiences at work, and stigmatized work has been published widely. Gina is active in the community with various initiatives and bodies that work to redress gender disadvantage. She has been a facilitator for CHERD’s Women in Academic Leadership and was the co-organizer of the Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC) 2020 Conference hosted by the University of Regina.

photo of Dena McMartin

Dena McMartin

Dena McMartin, Vice President Research, University of Lethbridge

As the ULethbridge VP Research, Dena McMartin has responsibility for the collective effort of creating opportunities to advance innovation and impact of academic research, scholarship, and creative arts.

Dena is also a leading researcher in rural and agricultural water management. As both a Professional Engineer and a Professional Agrologist, Dena works extensively with industry, community, and government partners to address emerging priority issues relating to water quality and quantity. She currently serves on the International St. Mary and Milk Rivers Study Board of the International Joint Commission.

As well, Dena contributes to a number of national and regional engineering, science and innovation boards focused on integrating diversity into science and engineering research and technology development.

Nomination process

Women in academic administration positions are generally selected and sponsored to participate in WIAL by their home institutions. We encourage universities and colleges to support women from diverse groups, to create a community of leaders more reflective of the Canadian environment. Individuals who have been selected by their home institution should apply as soon as possible, as enrollment is limited.

Request more information

If you have questions about this or any other programs and courses we offer, please use this form to let us know.

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Contact us

Extended Education
185 Extended Education Complex
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

204-474-8800
Toll free: 1-888-216-7011