H漫画

 
 

College of Sustainability

RBC Sustainability Leadership Certificate

An woman with a light skin tone, blond hair and a red jacket makes an announcement in front of an RBC sign.

Engaged Learning

The RBC Sustainability Leadership Certificate has received generous support from the Royal Bank of Canada. Check out the Dal News story: .

2025-26 Program Information & Application Form


Are you ready to turn your passion for positive change into real-world impact?

Join us to learn practical skills and tools to lead and inspire change!

The RBC Sustainability Leadership Certificate is a six-month immersive program that blends theory with hands-on practice. You will gain practical skills, explore innovative leadership tools, grow your network, and launch a project to engage people about important issues in the community.

Thanks to financial support from the RBC Foundation, we are able to offer this program at minimal cost for students, helping to offset materials and other expenses. Scroll down to learn more about the program and view registration and payment details.

To apply, please click the link below for the online application form. Deadline for applications is MONDAY, OCTOBER 20TH at 11:59pm (ADT). Early application is encouraged!

What will I learn?

Throughout the program, you鈥檒l attend three in-person modules and work on applied projects between each session:

  • Module 1 (October): Foundations of Leadership 鈥� Explore your personal leadership style and how it connects to sustainability. Identify your values, strengths, and motivations as a changemaker.
    • Action Project 1: Interview inspiring leaders.
  • Module 2 (January): Designing for Action 鈥� Gain powerful tools for planning, facilitating, and leading change in complex systems. Learn how to design initiatives that are creative, strategic, and inclusive.
    • Action Project 2: Design and lead a project about an issue you鈥檙e passionate about.
  • Module 3 (March): Integration & Practice 鈥� Deepen collaboration skills, practice facilitation, and reflect on your growth as a leader.

By the end, you鈥檒l leave with:

  • A personalized sustainability leadership toolkit (including methods such as Appreciative Inquiry, Circle Practice, Open Space Technology, and World Caf茅).
  • Hands-on experience in designing and delivering change projects.
  • A strong foundation of skills in collaboration, facilitation, and reflective leadership you can apply to any sector.

2025-2026 Program Dates


Program Opens
Friday, October 17: Brightspace opens to SLC students.

Leadership Module 1: October 25 & 26, 2025
Saturday, October 25: In-Person Session from 10:00am - 5:00pm ADT
Sunday, October 26: In-Person Session from 10:00am - 4:00pm ADT
Subsequent activities: Interviews & related assignment. Assignment is due one week before Module 2.

Leadership Module 2: January 17, 2026
Saturday, January 17: In-Person Session from 10:00am - 6:00pm AST
Subsequent activities: Online peer coaching session.

Leadership Module 3: March 21, 2026
Saturday, March 21: In-Person Session from 9:00am - 6:30 pm AST
Subsequent activities: Online peer coaching session & closing.

Requirements

To complete the certificate, students are required to:

  1. Attend all three modules (Module 1 must be completed first, and Modules 2 & 3 may either be completed during the same academic year or in subsequent academic years);
  2. Engage in two action projects; and
  3. Complete several reflection exercises on their personal program experiences.

Beyond the in-person time commitments shown in the schedule for each module, expect up to 20-25 hours of work between each module to complete assignments.

Along with the final certificate for SLC, you can also earn two H漫画 microcredentials:

These microcredentials can be displayed in resumes, social media profiles and email signatures.

The RBC Sustainability Leadership Certificate program is open to all H漫画 students and graduates (first-year ESS students enrolled in SUST 1000, or second year and above for all other majors/programs). There are also a limited number of openings for non-H漫画 students and members of the broader community.

Meet the SLC program facilitators

The RBC SLC is a partnership between the College of Sustainability and a community-based team of facilitators. The RBC SLC team is also made up of current students and graduates of H漫画, as well as members of the local community, H漫画 faculty and staff.

Andrew Bergel

Andrew smiles. He has a light skin tone, short dark hair, and the beginnings of a beard and moustache.

Andrew is the Academic Lead of the RBC Sustainability Leadership Certificate on behalf of the College of Sustainability. Andrew is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at H漫画. As a political economist, Andrew's research focuses on environmental, social and economic change. In addition to his academic role, Andrew brings years of private sector experience with team-based and collaborative approaches to problem solving.

Sophia Horwitz

Sophia smiles at the camera. She has a light skin tone and dark brown hair that is tied back.

Sophia designs and hosts processes that spark generative conversations, foster collaboration, and move ideas into meaningful action. As a partner and co-founder of , she has spent nearly two decades working alongside communities, organizations, and leaders to navigate complexity, surface shared purpose, and co-create innovative approaches for social and environmental impact. Her work is informed by a Master鈥檚 in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability and a deep practice in participatory methods, systems thinking, and narrative work. Known for her ability to create spaces that are both grounded and expansive, she brings curiosity, care, and a steady presence to every project she supports.

Greg Woolner

Gregory smiles for the camera. He has a light skin tone, dark brown hair with a receding hairline, and a neatly-trimmed beard and moustache.

Greg is a facilitator and developmental evaluator with 15+ years鈥� experience tackling social and organizational challenges through collaboration, research, and complex systems approaches. With a background in Sociology, Music, Adult Education, and as a partner at , he designs participatory processes to help groups navigate complexity and co-create change. His work spans climate action, arts, education, and youth leadership, grounded in the belief that meaningful change emerges from collective learning and bold experimentation.

Joanna Brenchley

Joanna smiles. She has a light skin tone, light-brown hair and blue eyes.

Joanna Brenchley is a facilitator and counselling therapist working with individuals and groups in service of their highest hopes and greatest dreams for themselves and the world. With a background in Environmental Science, Sustainability, and an MEd in Counselling Therapy, she blends trauma therapy, leadership development, and organizational change work with a deep commitment to personal, collective, and planetary well-being. Her recent clients include H漫画 University, Ecology Action Centre, the Province of Nova Scotia, and the Avalon Centre for Sexualized Violence.

Payment

Thanks to generous funding from RBC Foundation, the cost for the entire course is $150 (to cover the cost of materials).

Dal students should note: You can apply for a DSU Member Grant to be considered for a rebate toward this program! Apply听 听

Payment can be made by cash, cheque or credit card.

Payment by cash or cheque can be dropped off during business hours to our office at 1459 LeMarchant Street, suite 1401. Cheques must be made payable to H漫画 University. A receipt will be provided. For payment by credit card 鈥� or any general questions regarding payment 鈥� please contact Rebecca Howcroft at sustainability@dal.ca.

Registration and Refund Policies

Payment details will be included with notice of acceptance in the program. The fee is non-refundable, but should circumstances arise that prevent participation in either the second or third module a credit will be issued that will allow participation in the next year鈥檚 offering.

Questions about the program and registration can be directed to Rebecca Howcroft at sustainability@dal.ca.