Global Leadership Program

In a complex world where global forces are affecting our quality of life, where interconnectedness is the norm and challenges require collective action, leadership requires a global perspective. The Global Leadership Program is a new initiative of AKFC designed to equip Canadian professionals with the intellectual insight and practical ingenuity to navigate and shape our world.

This program features a combination of self-paced online resources, virtual learning and engagement sessions, and an immersive, five-day in-person residency in Ottawa.

Learn through dynamic pedagogical approaches, led by global thought leaders and practitioners. The program brings together global experts to share knowledge and guide discussions about core aspects of global leadership while inviting participants to apply a global lens to their own context, mandate, and leadership practice.  Participants will learn through a combination of guided learning, case study review, peer-to-peer and collaborative learning, immersive reflective exercises, energizing simulations, networking, individual and group reflection, and group coaching.

Join a diverse network of global leaders to exchange, collaborate, and reflect.  This program creates opportunities to exchange, collaborate, and reflect on new ideas, as well as build connections related to global leadership. Participants are encouraged to break down silos, learn from others’ different experiences, and, in turn, share their own experiences and perspectives to shape the conversations. 

Cultivate their global mindset, explore the forces shaping our world, and strengthen a practical skillset to lead in a time of complexity . Participants will leave the program equipped to approach complexities in our interconnected world not with a sense of despair but with a sense of agency and hope. They will be able to think critically about how global issues impact their work and consider what they can do to address these issues in their roles as Canadian leaders.

Being a part of this program doesn’t end with online and formal in-person online learning — it opens a lifetime of opportunities, connections, and growth!

Important dates:

The application period opens April 21, 2026, and closes on May 19, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a short video responding to an interview question in late June to early July 2026.

Successful applicants will receive an invitation to join the 2026 cohort by July 31, 2026.

The program will launch with a virtual welcome session on September 16, 2026, at 12:00 pm ET.

Virtual sessions, including peer learning group coaching and connections with program alumni, will take place between September and October 2026.

The in-person residency in Ottawa will take place from November 1 to 6, 2026.

Please note: The program fully covers the cost of travel from anywhere in Canada, accommodation, and meals for the residency.

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How to Apply:

This program brings together a diverse cohort of mid-career Canadian professionals from across sectors to explore the forces shaping our societies and connect with others committed to a more peaceful, prosperous, and pluralist world for all. ​  

Through collaboration and shared learning, participants explore global and local challenges and consider Canada’s role, and their own, in addressing them. 

Applications for the 2026 cohort of AKFC Global Leaders are now open!

Deadline to apply: May 19, 2026, 11:59 pm ET

Apply here!