Academic Leadership Program
NEW for Fall 2025: THE INSIGHT SERIES
Focused leadership practises for a changing academic world
In today’s rapidly evolving academic environment, effective leadership requires more than just experience – it demands insight.
The HALE Insight Series is a professional development workshop series designed for higher education leaders who want to sharpen their thinking, strengthen their leadership practice, and lead with greater clarity and confidence.
This series brings together critical themes shaping the future of post-secondary leadership: navigating complexity, fostering psychological safety, managing attention in an age of distraction, engaging in constructive feedback, and leading change with intention. Each session offers a focused exploration of current leadership challenges paired with practical tools, evidence-based strategies, and space for reflection.
Through interactive sessions and peer dialogue, participants will deepen their capacity to:
- Lead through ambiguity and complexity with purpose
- Navigate conflict and feedback as opportunities for growth
- Build and sustain trust and psychological safety within teams
- Focus attention to manage workload and enhance decision-making
- Inspire change while maintaining connection and compassion
Whether you’re an emerging or experienced leader, the HALE Insight Series will support you in aligning your leadership with the values, focus, and skills needed to thrive in today’s academic landscape.
WORKSHOPS AND DATES
1. Leading in Complexity: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do (Thurs Sept 25 @ 1:00-3:00pm ET) – (this event has passed)
2. Reframing Conflict: Curiosity, Courage, Connection (Tues Oct 7 @ 10:00am-12:00pm ET) – (this event has passed)
3. Leading Yourself and Others Through Change (Thurs Oct 16 @ 12:00-2:00pm ET) – (this event has passed)
4. Building the Foundations of Psychological Safety in Higher Education (Thurs Nov 6 @ 10:00am-12:00pm ET ) – (registration is closed)
5. Reclaim Your Focus for Sustainable Workload Success (Thurs Nov 17 @ 1:00-3:00pm) – learn more and register here.
6. Giving Feedback While Still Maintaining Positive Relationships at Work (Weds Dec 10 @ 2:00-4:00pm) – learn more and register here.
Attend 4 of our 6 workshops to get a certificate AND receive HALE alumni status, which provides discounts on future offerings.
Contact us for a group discount and/or to bring any workshop to your institution.
NOTE: workshops will not be recorded to protect the confidentiality of discussions.
Workshop registration fee is not refundable, but may be transferred to a colleague in your organization if you are unable to attend.
We understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with leading in higher education.
This is your transformative opportunity to connect with colleagues and peers across Canadian Universities going through a similar leadership journey. Join us in the HigherEd Academic Leadership Exchange.
HALE is a group coaching/just-in time, tailored Leadership development program for Faculty or Staff currently in or aspiring to leadership positions. Might that be you?
Not ready yet but would like to be on our mailing list? Please sign up here: http://eepurl.com/iPWN2o
Would you like to book a free consultation?
Why Choose HALE?
“Quantity of leaders is not the issue. What we need to change is the quality of leaders.” – Dr Jane Philpott.
Connect Across Institutions
Break the barriers of isolation by connecting with peers across different universities.
Expertise at Your Fingertips
Benefit from the insights and knowledge of seasoned coaches who understand the intricacies of academia.
Cost-Effective Solutions
In the face of economic pressures on universities, our group coaching model offers an affordable and resourceful alternative that doesn’t require a huge time commitment.
Discover a supportive community, gain valuable skills, and navigate the complexities of higher education leadership with confidence. In this program, we provide dedicated support, foster connections, and offer just-in-time group coaching to faculty / staff members navigating the dynamic landscape of higher education.
Our instructional team consists of three professionals with extensive experience in higher education. We are Organizational Development Professionals, Executive Coaches and University Instructors with 40+ years of combined post-secondary experience, including teaching, coaching and developing leaders in academia.
Be part of a community of academic leadership peers. Learn how to be a stellar leader. Make positive change at your school. Get started here.
Our Flagship Programs
Our full HALE program will resume in 2026. Meanwhile, we invite you to attend one of our workshops listed above.
Contact us to bring HALE to your organization.
- Session 1 – Welcome and introduction. We will be discussing complexity, leadership models, and emotional agility.
- Session 2 – How to manage difficult conversations, including conflict, performance discussions, and managing up.
- Session 3 – Learn how to effectively influence others and build consensus, all while keeping relationships intact.
- Session 4 – Leading change – whether global or local – relies on a set of skills and tools that we will share, starting with individuals.
- Session 5 – Continuing “Leading Change” at the organizational level. Closing session – recap, reflections, action planning, next steps.
Each real-time session will provide you with practical tools as well as models and theories behind the tools. You will also have the opportunity to connect directly with colleagues, and time is built in for Q&A so that this program is tailored to your needs and context.
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Pricing for these programs is $599 (plus applicable taxes).
Classes are limited to 20 participants each.
Would you like to learn more? Please email us at contactushale@gmail.com with the subject “HALE program inquiry”.
Sign up for our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/iPWN2o
Would you like to register? Click through on the appropriate tab above.
Would you like to register for a future program?
About Us
At HigherEd Academic Leadership Exchange (HALE), we specialize in empowering academic faculty and staff to excel in administrative leadership roles. With a team of seasoned professionals, we provide comprehensive instructional, facilitation, and coaching services designed to help you navigate the transition more easily and with greater positive impact.
Your Instructional Team for this program
Andrea Swanson
Andrea Swanson (MA, PPCC) is a certified coach and Organizational Development Consultant with many years of experience in higher education. Andrea has worked with executives and leaders in large complex organizations for more than 10 years. Andrea has a Master’s Degree in Organization Development and a Certificate in Personal and Professional Coaching (PPCC) both from Concordia University. She grounds her coaching and consulting practice on leading in complexity, leadership presence, human-centered design and the foundations of adult development theory. Learn more about Andrea on her website.
Lisa Sansom
Lisa Sansom (MBA, MAPP, PCC) is a PCC-certified coach and Organizational Development Consultant with expertise in change management, positive psychology, and leadership development. Lisa has worked in higher education since 2006 in many different roles and capacities. She brings her positive psychology research and practitioner background into all of her coaching and consulting work. She is also an experienced speaker, trainer, and facilitator on a number of different topics. Learn more about Lisa on her website.
Christine Costa
Christine Costa (MBA) is a seasoned Human Resources professional and facilitator with almost 25 years of experience in various HR roles and industries (including financial services, technology, and higher education). She is passionate about learning and inclusion and has spent her career coaching and developing individuals and teams to improve their performance. Christine has designed and facilitated various university leadership programs and has been a part-time faculty member in higher education since 2010. Learn more about Christine on her website.
Our Purpose: At the heart of our business and this program is a deep commitment to support and connect faculty members during their academic journeys and support staff through their leadership aspirations and career paths. We believe that through shared experiences, timely coaching, and a collaborative community, we can transform the often-isolated role of academic leadership into a fulfilling and empowering experience.
What Sets Us Apart: HALE stands out through a unique blend of group coaching, just-in-time training, and the power of connection. We bridge the gap across institutions, providing a space for faculty members to reflect, grow, and learn collaboratively. Our experienced instructional team brings both organizational expertise and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by educators and their teams. We have seen it ourselves in many different universities.
Why Choose Us
Coaching Programs
- Leadership Development: Build the skills and confidence required for administrative roles.
- Career Strategy: Personalized plans to achieve your career objectives.
- Networking: Connect with a supportive community of academic leaders.
Workshops & Webinars
- Interactive workshops and webinars on relevant academic leadership topics.
Resources
- Access valuable resources, articles, and templates to enhance your leadership skills.
Sign up for our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/iPWN2o
Contact us at contactushale@gmail.com