# [IGNITE: The Emerging Leaders Program](/career-development/leadership-programs/ignite-emerging-leaders-program) > *Leading self, influencing others.* ![Close up of an individual smiling while looking at someone else off camera. ](/sites/default/files/inline-images/ELP%20web%20banner.png) The Emerging Leaders Program is our flagship cohort-based development journey designed for staff who are curious and invested in exploring what it means to transition into a people-leadership role at UBC. This leadership development program is designed for UBC staff who aspire to build their capability to transition into people-leadership roles (e.g., managers or supervisors). Recognized by their leadership team for their potential, participants in this program will gain the essential skills and insights needed to lead with confidence and effectiveness in the future. This program supports staff growth, development and enables more thoughtful succession planning at the university. The program is intended to help prepare future leaders at UBC to be effective in their roles by providing an opportunity to learn about the management and leadership aspects of people-leadership roles, and to build an awareness and understanding of what it means to lead people and diverse teams at UBC. ## The Emerging Leaders Program in pilot The program is currently in a pilot phase with the second cohort launching in June 2026 at the UBC Vancouver campus. The nomination and selection process for the pilot cohort is being managed at the faculty/portfolio level by HR leaders from [participating faculties and portfolios](#participating); this pilot cohort is **not accepting open enrolment**. If you are a staff member from a participating faculty and portfolio and are interested in the program, please reach out to your manager or listed HR leader to learn more. ### Important dates ##### 2026 cohort - **Nominations open**: Tuesday, April 7 - **Nomination deadline**: Friday, May 22 --- - **Successful nominees notified**: By Friday, May 29 - **Program intake and onboarding**: By Friday, June 5 - **Orientation session**: Wednesday, June 10 - **Program begins**: Tuesday, June 23 ### Learning objectives Through this learning journey, participants will gain the education, exposure and experiential practice supporting the mindsets, skills and behaviours required to lead and manage effectively at UBC. **Participants will gain the ability to:** - Navigate the transition to people management with confidence understanding the practical responsibilities of management alongside the adaptive mindset required for leadership at UBC. - Apply self-awareness and emotional intelligence to understand their impact in their current role and as they step into leadership. - Build a coaching mindset and skills to earn trust and collaborate effectively across diverse teams. - Navigate conflict and difficult conversations with courage, compassion and integrity. - Understand UBC's systems, strategic priorities and context to lead with clarity and purpose. - Take ownership of their leadership development journey, engage their manager as a growth partner and build career resilience to prepare for their next move at UBC. ### Key elements of the program Explore three key elements that make this program unique and help ensure participants succeed through applied learning and guided support from their manager. 1. **Learning and Development Plan** - Participants will create a Learning and Development Plan and share it with their manager. Managers will support participants by using the plan as a framework to ensure a successful development journey throughout the program lifecycle. This includes a minimum of three development-related check-ins with the manager over the course of the program. The plan prioritizes personal development as an essential ingredient for every aspiring leader to dedicate appropriate time and attention to help achieve their goals. 2. **On-the-job Project** - Managers and participants will be asked to identify an On-the-Job Project that participants will focus on throughout the program. This can be an existing project, current deliverable or stretch opportunity they are working on or currently leading. The project can also be something designed specifically for the program, with support and consultation from their manager. At the end of each workshop, participants will be asked to reflect on how they can apply what they’ve learned. This ensures that the learning goes beyond theory and is applied practically in the workplace. 3. **Manager’s Commitment and Involvement** - The support of each participant’s manager is key to maximizing the impact of this program.  Over the five-month period, managers will be asked to spend time engaging in conversations with their staff member about their Learning and Development Plan, On-the-Job Project and any support needed to make this a meaningful learning journey. ### Eligibility ##### Candidates for the Emerging Leaders Program must meet the following criteria:  - Does not lead people formally at the time of the application and start of the program - Is a UBC staff member (i.e., not faculty) - Is not part of CUPE 2278, and not a student employee - Has completed their probationary period at UBC (according to their employee group) - Has been nominated by their faculty or department as a strong potential candidate in the program ##### Strong candidates for the Emerging Leaders Program will exhibit the following traits: - Has the personal and professional aspiration to become a people leader (manager/supervisor) - Has significant expertise in their field of work, and is someone who others come to for advice or guidance in that area - Has demonstrated leadership in informal ways (e.g., inspires others, takes initiative, leads projects, shows integrity, communicates effectively, has strong decision-making skills, is accountable, resilient and confident) - Models the values of UBC in their everyday actions - Is committed to investing the time in this development opportunity - Has been a consistently strong performer in their role at UBC (as per their manager’s evaluation) ### Time commitment & format - The total time commitment required from participants is approximately **40 hours** across **5 months** (pre-reads, workshops, learning pathways, On-the-Job-Project, manager check-ins). - Availability and commitment to attend all workshops is a pre-requisite for selection into the program. - This program will take place in a **hybrid format**, with a mix of in-person and virtual components. - The program includes five workshops: three in-person at the UBC Vancouver Campus and two online sessions. Participants must be committed to attending all five workshops. ### Nomination and selection process The Emerging Leaders Program has a capacity of 36 participants per cohort. For this second pilot starting in June 2026, select [faculties and portfolios ](#participating)have been identified and given a designated number of seats, but not all faculties and portfolios are represented in this phase of the pilot program. The nomination and selection process is being managed by HR leaders from participating faculties and portfolios. Seats in this pilot program are by **nomination only**, with participants selected by their manager or senior leader within participating faculties or portfolios. *NOTE: This is a pilot program and therefore your manager may not yet be familiar with this program. In this case, please get in touch with your* [*HR leader*](#participating)*.* ## Interested in IGNITE: The Emerging Leaders Program? We're exploring future offerings of the program. If you're interested in participating in a future cycle, please complete our Interest Form. Your response will help us understand interest in the program and keep you informed about upcoming opportunities. [Express Your Interest](https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0ig213X5GcULkUe) ### Participating Faculties and Departments [participating](#participating) For the pilot cohort, only select faculties and departments have been identified and have been provided a designated number of seats for the program. View the list of participating faculties and units, below: | ###### Faculty / Department | ###### HR leader | |---|---| | Faculty of Applied Science | Sandy Liu – | | Faculty of Arts | Chris Tickell – | | Faculty of Education | Anna Bin – | | Faculty of Medicine | Tamiza Abji –  | | Peter A. Allard School of Law | Catalina Policzer – | | Sauder School of Business | Teresa Pu  –  | | VP Academic, Research and Innovation | Patrizia Todaro – | | VP Finance and Operations | Kristen Wei – | | VP Human Resources | Linda Fischer –  | | VP Students | Jen Dowdeswell –  | ### Schedule View the 2026 cohort schedule and workshop topics, format and durations below. | #### Date | #### Workshop Topic | #### Format | #### Duration | |---|---|---|---| | June 10, 2026 | Program Orientation | Virtual | 45 mins | | June 23, 2026 | **Workshop 1 \| The Management Challenge:**  Transition from an Individual Contributor to a Manager/Leader | In-person | 7 hours | | August 5, 2026 | **Workshop 2 \| Self-Awareness in Action:** Leading with Emotional Intelligence & Wellbeing at Work | In-person | 7 hours | | September 16, 2026 | **Workshop 3 \| A Coach-Approach:** Mindsets and Skills to Build Trust and Collaboration | Virtual | 3.5 hours | | October 7, 2026 | **Workshop 4 \| Courageous Conversations:** Navigating Conflict and Difficult Conversations | Virtual | 3.5  hours | | November 4, 2026 | **Workshop 5 \| Understanding Systems:**  Managing at UBC with Clarity and Purpose | In-person | 7 hours | ##### Note on schedule conflicts Given the significant time, effort and investment behind running this program, participants are **required to attend all sessions and workshops**. In rare cases, exceptions can be made for pre-approved vacation or illness. However, if you anticipate any scheduling conflicts such as planned vacations that may prevent you from fully participating, please consider joining a future cohort. ### Certificate of completion All participants who successfully complete the Emerging Leaders Program will be given an official Certificate of Completion. To earn the Certificate of Completion, participants are expected to attend the online program orientation, all five workshops (three in-person and two online) and other program learning elements listed above. ### Program fees The pilot program is fully funded by VP Human Resources at UBC. #### **Disclaimer** **A PROMISE OF LEARNING** Completing this program **does not guarantee a promotion** to participants. This is a learning journey which will equip successful participants with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively transition into people-leadership (manager/ supervisor) roles, if or when those opportunities arise. Promotions are a function of many things, such as opportunity and available roles, consistent performance, and timing. The Emerging Leaders Program is a promise of learning, not a promise of promotion. ## Questions? - If you are eligible and interested in the program, please connect with your [manager or HR leader.](https://hr.ubc.ca/career-development/leadership-programs/ignite-emerging-leaders-program#participating%20) - For general enquiries or questions, please contact [leadership@hr.ubc.ca.](mailto:leadership@hr.ubc.ca)