Description

Registration is now open for Cohorts 19 & 20.

COHORT 19 (7 months; In-person):

In-person sessions at IOG Office, Ottawa:

• Executive Retreat: October 26 + 27, 2026.

•  January 18 + 19, 2027.

• Final Sessions: April 12 + 13, 2027.

All other sessions are virtual over Zoom (3 sessions monthly: 1 late afternoon session (1.5 hrs) &  2 full afternoons).

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

COHORT 20 (7 months; In-person):

In-person sessions at IOG Office, Ottawa:

• Executive Retreat: March 10 + 11, 2027.

•  January 18 + 19, 2027.

• Final Sessions: October 6 + 7, 2027

All other sessions are virtual over Zoom (3 sessions monthly: 1 late afternoon session (1.5 hrs) &  2 full afternoons).

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, February 24, 2027.

Target Audience: Federal Government leaders at Director or Senior Director Level (EX minus 1 and EX minus 2 or equivalent).

Program Curriculum

The Executive Leadership Program equips public sector executives with the mindset, skills, and practical tools to navigate complex challenges, foster innovation, and lead transformational change. Through six core themes—Resilience, Vision and Strategy, Ambiguity, Collaboration, Complexity, and Innovation and Change—participants explore contemporary, citizen-centred approaches to governance and strengthen their ability to lead effectively in a rapidly changing environment.

The curriculum helps participants cut through competing priorities, make sound decisions, allocate resources effectively, and achieve meaningful results for Canadians. It also strengthens the confidence and self-awareness required to lead people, build trusted relationships, and respond effectively to emerging leadership challenges.

Personalized executive coaching and psychometric assessments provide deeper insight into individual leadership strengths and development priorities. Through expert-led discussions, reflective learning, and engagement with a diverse peer network, participants deepen their strategic thinking, expand their professional networks, and lead with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Program Cost: $18,000

• As a not-for-profit organization, the IOG does not collect HST

• The fee includes tuition, meals, course materials, online tools, and continued access to program resources.

Participant Testimonials

• “I am a better public servant from my time spent learning and connecting with my peers in the IOG's virtual Executive Leadership Program. My peers brought in-depth, informed and unique perspectives to the discussions we had in the program that were prompted by the excellent speakers and interesting topics we explored. The program facilitators and IOG staff brought together an incredible learning experience for us while also responding to my and my peers' needs throughout. The depth of knowledge and experience that the facilitators brought was inspirational. I couldn’t have asked for better facilitators.” 

• “I would absolutely encourage everyone, not just those looking to move up but just to become better in the role they are in, because everyone can be a leader. I think it is a very important program. It really does open up the perspectives and provides some insight into how senior executives approach work and what their expectations might be. It helps to disarm senior executives from my perspective. It allowed me to get better insight into some of the more difficult topics that exist in the Public Service today. Certainly very valuable.”

• “I was really happy with the quality of the speakers from the other departments. They really came from the whole array of issues that the Government of Canada is wrestling with these days. We had people talking about business transformation, which I found really really interesting and useful. The exposure to these files were really valuable.”

• “I have recommended other colleagues to participate [...] I do think back on these things somewhat routinely. I just did a competition. I pull out the IOG material and refresh on subjects that I forgot. I refer to those materials for interviews. I found it useful and I continue finding it useful.”

For further inquiries or support, please contact us at registration@iog.ca. 

Facilitators

Peter Bruce
Associate, IOG 

Andrea Johnston
Associate, IOG