From August 5 to 8, the Ivey Business School campus buzzed with energy as 150 high school students – the program’s largest and most diverse cohort yet – gathered from across Canada and around the globe for the John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program (SLP). Over four immersive days, they developed leadership skills, practiced entrepreneurial thinking, and experienced Ivey’s hallmark case-method learning – all while getting a taste of campus life.
Since its launch in 2015, the program has seen remarkable growth, attracting more than 1,000 applicants this year – twice as many as in 2024 – and welcoming participants from more regions and backgrounds than ever before.
Global reach, inclusive leadership
Students were selected for their leadership potential, extracurricular involvement, and passion for business and innovation. This year’s record-breaking cohort reflects Ivey’s global reach, with representation from across Canada, the U.S., the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, and Thailand. More than half identified as women and 61 per cent as BIPOC – underscoring the School’s commitment to developing inclusive leaders who reflect the diversity of the business world.
Participants stayed in Clare Hall, one of Western University’s residences, worked in teams to solve real-world business challenges, and engaged in case-based learning sessions facilitated by Ivey faculty.
Discovering Ivey’s case method
The SLP mirrors elements of Ivey’s renowned HBA Program, including section-based learning and interactive case discussions. Lucas Cicchelli, MSc ’22, a Business Foundations Lecturer, taught a case called Intellitix, which explores global leadership and strategy.
“Throughout my time at Ivey, both as a student and as a lecturer, the case method has been something that I know works and works well. Even if students have completed cases before, my hope is that they walk away more excited about the case method than before,” said Cicchelli. “Whether it be meeting new people or learning about a new area of business, being part of something like the SLP can be an integral part of inspiring future business leaders.”
Building confidence and connection
The program’s design blends academic rigour with community-building through activities such as the Ivey Olympics, scavenger hunts, and evening bonfires. Before arriving on campus, participants complete the Founder’s Journey course to prepare for an intensive three-day sprint:
• Day 1: Problem and Solution Workshop
• Day 2: Pitching and Business Model Canvas
• Day 3: Final capstone presentations to alumni and industry professionals, including RBC representatives
Supported by the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, students collaborated on a business design and presented their ideas in four judging rooms. One finalist from each room advanced to the final round in BMO Auditorium, where they pitched their concepts to the full cohort. Congratulations to the winning team (Team 8): Luis Bermudez, Amaris Han, Angela Kalopisis, Jason Lee, Jeremiah Paradys-Taylor, and Sophia Shariff.
Beyond business: Leadership for life
The SLP is about more than business skills – it’s a space for self-discovery. Sponsored by CPA Ontario, students completed the CliftonStrengths assessment and took part in workshops exploring their personal strengths and leadership styles. Sessions on entrepreneurship, sustainability, global leadership, and artificial intelligence gave them a broader perspective on the future of business.
Maeve Murphy, an AEO student in Ivey’s HBA Program and SLP alum from 2023, returned this year as a program counselor.
“SLP taught me that leadership is not limited to a business context. Instead, it’s something that matters in every area of life,” said Murphy. “The combination of case discussions, late-night conversations in residence, and the final group project left me feeling inspired, supported, and excited for the future. That’s the feeling I hope every student takes with them by the end of the week.”
This year’s record-breaking participation was a milestone Associate Director of HBA Recruitment Matthew Pizzuti, MSc ’18, says was made possible by the dedication of the entire team.
“The team executed every detail with care and precision, always thinking about the educational outcomes,” said Pizzuti. “What stood out most was the maturity and business acumen these students brought – they leaned in, looked out for one another, and fully bought into the experience.”
For Pizzuti, expanding the program’s international participation was one of its most powerful achievements.
“Students connected across cultures and tackled global challenges together. You could see perspectives shifting in real time,” said Pizzuti. “That’s the power of this program – it changes how they see themselves and what they believe they can do.”
Photo above: The SLP winners with judges. View more photos from the event below.
Welcome to the Summer Leadership Program!
Darren Meister, Associate Dean, Programs, addresses the group
Taking in Ivey's campus
Experiencing an Ivey class
Business Foundations Lecturer Lucas Cicchelli
Having fun
Making friends
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