Reset, Re-Center and Rise: Future-Ready Leader Day
Why “Future-Ready” Matters
If you’ve ever tried to pour from an empty cup while steering a mission-driven organization, you know the strain is real. Our sector faces record-high burnout, talent turnover, and a growing demand for inclusive, trauma-informed leadership. The next era of nonprofit and social-purpose work will belong to those who can balance impact with resilience—leaders who guard their energy, embrace emerging tech responsibly, and keep purpose at the center of every decision.
That’s why we’re spotlighting the Future-Ready Leader™ Connect & Reset Day on Thursday, August 21, 2025 in Toronto’s lush James Gardens.
Hosted by our collaborator Leigh Mitchell of the ChangeMaker Leadership Collective, this immersive certification experience fuses evidence-based leadership development with nature-powered renewal.
What Makes This Day Different?
Most leadership trainings happen in fluorescent-lit boardrooms and bury you in slide decks. This one invites you to learn under towering maples, reflect beside spring-fed ponds, and share stories in circle. You’ll practice forest bathing, recreation therapy, and energy-mapping—not just hear about them. Every activity is designed to translate self-awareness into concrete tools you can bring back to your team the very next day.
Flow of the day
Energy-Mapping Practice – Guided reflection to locate where you’re truly leading from and what might be draining—or fuelling—your capacity.
Forest Bathing Walk – A slow, mindful journey through the gardens with prompts that lower cortisol, boost creative clarity, and reconnect you to purpose.
Future-Ready Leadership Pillars – Leigh introduces the six-pillar framework that anchors conscious, recovery-friendly leadership.
Canvas of Clarity Painting Exercise – Artist Lexi Deece-Cassidy helps you translate values and leadership brand into intentional brushstrokes.
Future-Ready Skills Integration Sessions
Social-Impact Branding – Daniel Francavilla will share how to craft messaging that ignites support without the hard sell.
Ethical AI Primer – Tobin Smith unpacks responsible tech adoption.
Inner Happy Leader – Sarah & Tobin Smith explore emotional stamina and joy in leadership.
Public Speaking Essentials – Rob & Leigh Mitchell give practical tools to communicate with confidence.
Collective Think Tank – Map your next quarter through a systems-thinking lens alongside peers.
Closing Circle & Commitment Practice – Release what no longer serves, pledge your next bold step, and leave with a personalized roadmap.
Beyond the Day – Each participant receives a one-hour private coaching call, a digital toolkit of scripts and templates, and ongoing community support.
Who will benefit most?
Nonprofit & community leaders seeking a strategic pause before fall campaigns.
Mid-career helpers (HR pros, educators, healthcare workers, social-service teams) navigating transition or compassion fatigue.
Social entrepreneurs & creatives who want visibility without burnout.
Facilitators & coaches eager to deepen trauma-informed, recovery-friendly practices.
If you identify as a ChangeMaker—and you’re done with hustle culture that leaves people behind—this experience was built for you.
What you’ll take home
Future-Ready Leader™ Certificate to showcase on LinkedIn and résumés.
A personalized leadership roadmap grounded in emotional intelligence and systemic thinking.
Practical tools for energy regulation, boundary setting, ethical tech use, and inclusive storytelling.
A renewed network of peers committed to purpose-led impact.
Why we’re involved
Our mission is to amplify organizations that put people and planet first. Sustainable impact starts with leaders who are grounded, adaptive, and boldly authentic. It’s aligned into our topics and community, so it was natural to collaborate.
If you’re planning to scale storytelling efforts this fall, rebuild culture, or simply need a mid-year reset, join us under the canopy at James Gardens. Let’s co-create the kind of leadership our sector—and our communities—deserve.
Ready to reconnect with purpose?
Save your spot for August 21.
Learn More or Register Here
Save 50% with the code CHANGEMAKER50
