Ivey Accelerates Land Conservation with National Leadership Program

Canada’s natural environments are under mounting pressure. Wildfires are spreading, heatwaves are pushing ecosystems to their limits, and biodiversity is vanishing at an alarming rate. Combined with shifting policies and accelerating development demands, these environmental threats are converging to endanger the very places Canadians depend on. In this critical moment, bold, strategic conservation leadership has never been more needed.

In response to this urgency, Ivey Business School Executive Education and the Centre for Land Conservation (CLC) have launched the Ivey Conservation Leadership Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to empower senior leaders in the conservation sector with the mindset, tools, and networks to drive bold, system-wide change.

Developed in partnership with CLC, an independent registered charity and national leader in responsible land conservation, the program unites deep sector knowledge with executive learning to strengthen leadership across Canada’s conservation community and meet our country’s environmental challenges.

“The risks facing Canada’s natural landscapes require strong leadership. Bold leadership that protects and preserves while leading innovation. Ivey’s top-ranked executive education brings proven leadership development to the conservation sector, equipping experienced professionals with the tools to lead change and drive results. We’re proud to support those leading environmental stewardship.” 

Bryan Benjamin, Executive Director at Ivey Business School, Executive Education

After decades of developing Canada’s top business leaders, Ivey is now applying that proven approach to the conservation sector. The program combines Ivey’s top-ranked business education with its globally recognized Case Method—an award-winning model of real-world, experiential learning. Over five days, participants engage in live case discussions, immersive simulations, and team-based challenges that sharpen their strategic thinking, negotiation, and systems leadership skills. The result: conservation leaders equipped to drive impact where it matters most. 

The inaugural cohort, launching in October 2025, includes 25 senior leaders from across the country, with 96% in executive roles and 64% serving as Executive Directors or CEOs. All participants from the inaugural cohort come from non-profit and charitable organizations focused on land and environmental conservation, with land trusts representing the largest group.

“At Centre for Land Conservation, we see this as a critical investment in the future of land conservation in Canada. By working with Ivey, we’re bringing proven leadership development into a sector where it’s urgently needed. These leaders already have the passion and knowledge. Now this program helps them amplify their impact. The future of Canada’s lands depends on the people leading their protection.”

Lara Ellis, Executive Director at Centre for Land Conservation 

These leaders are already making a difference. This program gives them the strategic perspective, confidence, and peer community to scale their impact in a time when conservation leadership has never been more essential.

Backed by Founding Partners committed to biodiversity and climate action, Metcalf Foundation and the Chisholm Thomson Family Foundation, the Conservation Leadership Program reflects Ivey’s belief that leadership can, and must, rise to meet Canada’s most urgent environmental challenges. 

About Ivey Executive Education

At Ivey Executive Education, we shape global leaders through immersive, real-world learning. Backed by Ivey Business School’s renowned case method and deep expertise in leadership development, we partner with organizations and executives worldwide to accelerate meaningful change. Our programs go beyond theory, blending top-ranked executive education with hands-on application, expert coaching, and a focus on lasting behaviour transformation. In organizations across Canada, Asia, Europe, and beyond, we’re redefining how people learn, grow, and lead.