Entrepreneurial Leaders Program

Overview of the Entrepreneurial Leaders Program program:

The Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (ELP), delivered by the Wallace McCain Institute at the University of New Brunswick, is a prestigious, one-year leadership development experience that supports entrepreneurs as they scale and refine their businesses. The program is designed for established business owners who are at a pivotal growth stage and are seeking both personal and professional transformation. ELP selects a single cohort of approximately 30 entrepreneurs from across Atlantic Canada each year, forming a peer group that evolves into a trusted support network. Through 10 intensive, multi-day retreats held over the course of 12 months, participants gain access to in-depth business knowledge, self-awareness training, and strategic insight, all delivered through expert facilitators, experiential learning, and peer coaching. Sessions cover leadership development, business strategy, and emotional intelligence, while also facilitating honest discussions about the realities and challenges of entrepreneurship. The program emphasizes long-term relationship building, accountability, and vulnerability among participants, helping to form lasting networks that endure beyond the program itself. Alumni become part of a robust network of over 300 past participants who continue to collaborate and support one another long after the formal program ends. The ELP is recognized for its highly personalized, confidential environment, enabling entrepreneurs to develop new mindsets, improve decision-making, and take strategic action to grow their enterprises. The Wallace McCain Institute supports participants throughout the process with logistics, mentorship connections, and ongoing alumni engagement opportunities.

Benefits of the Entrepreneurial Leaders Program program:

• Year-long access to executive-level leadership development
• Ten multi-day retreats focused on leadership and business strategy
• Deep, lasting peer relationships with other Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs
• Professional coaching, mentoring, and self-awareness assessments
• Enhanced personal and professional resilience
• Tools and frameworks to address business challenges and opportunities
• Entry into an exclusive network of over 300 alumni
• Continued post-program engagement and support from the institute
• Confidential environment promoting honest discussions and accountability

Eligibility criteria of the Entrepreneurial Leaders Program program:

• To be eligible for ELP, applicants must:
• Be a founder or majority owner of a business
• Operate a business based in Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador)
• Demonstrate that their business is at a critical growth stage, typically generating $1M$15M in annual revenue
• Employ 5 to 100+ employees
• Be highly committed to personal and professional development
• Be prepared to participate fully in 10 retreats over 12 months
• Submit a detailed application and attend an interview if shortlisted The program targets entrepreneurs with growth potential who are also willing to be vulnerable, collaborative, and accountable within a peer group.