Ninth cohort of leaders completes Concordia’s Change Resilience Development Program

As higher education continues to evolve, the ability to adapt, collaborate, and lead through uncertainty has become essential. At Concordia, the Change Resilience Development Program (CRDP), led by the Organizational Development team in Human Resources, is helping leaders strengthen those skills.

This spring marked the completion of the program’s ninth cohort. Since its launch in 2016, the CRDP has supported nearly 200 administrative managers and directors, equipping them with practical tools, strategies and networks to lead more effectively in changing environments.

Twenty-nine graduates gathered on May 12 to celebrate completing the program and the next step in applying what they’ve learned.

A pivotal moment

“Change is permeating all our jobs, driven by internal and external factors,” says Kristy Clarke from the Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic.

“For many people, change can equal stress, but I see change as an opportunity to build something better,” Clarke adds.

The CRDP plays an important role in preparing managers to respond and adapt to new realities. Run annually from February to May, participants get to explore approaches to leadership, resilience, change management and project management while applying those learnings to real workplace initiatives.

Each participant brings a workplace initiative to develop throughout the program, applying concepts into practice in ways that support their teams and the university. Managers are encouraged not only to understand change, but to reframe it so they can guide others through uncertainty with clarity and confidence.

From theory to action

For Sandi Chase-Caron, School of Performance, this meant improving processes within the School through clearer policies and workflows.

“I’m approaching the work more collaboratively and strategically, with greater attention to change management, communication and incremental progress,” she explains.

Heidi Cheung, Student Financial Assistance Programs, is revamping the Concordia Work Study Program, which subsidizes wages for departments, faculties and affiliated groups when hiring Concordia students.

“The CRDP helped me better understand the different roles played by stakeholders,” Cheung says. “I was able to reframe the initiative in a more efficient and sustainable way.”

The challenge was different for Ryan Douglass, Residence Life, whose work focuses on student experience and community-building.

“In Residence Life, interactions with managers can often feel disciplinary or administrative,” Douglass says. “My goal is to shift that dynamic, so managers are seen as present, supportive and engaged members of the community — not only authority figures.”

Ryan is currently piloting a weekly running club at Grey Nuns Residence, which creates opportunities for residents and managers to connect in a more informal setting.

“I’ve learned that change does not always need to happen through large initiatives,” Douglass adds. “Small, consistent actions can have a meaningful impact over time.”

Breaking silos, building networks

Beyond tools and frameworks, one of the program’s most meaningful outcomes is the network it builds across the university. By bringing together participants from different units, the CRDP creates opportunities for collaboration and shared problem-solving that might not otherwise happen.

“Many departments are facing similar challenges,” says Chase-Caron. “Some have already developed tools or approaches that could be adapted. It encouraged me to reach beyond my usual network and seek input from colleagues outside my silo.”

For Douglass, learning from colleagues across the university reinforced the value of inclusion.

“Hearing from colleagues in different departments reinforced the importance of sharing insights,” he says. “It also reminded me that change initiatives are far more successful when people feel included and understand the ‘why’ behind the work.”

For Kristy Clarke, the experience offered renewed optimism. She says the CRDP helps participants better understand and reframe Concordia’s current context, leaving them richer in relationships, strategies and hope.

As the university continues to evolve, so too does the CRDP — incorporating participant feedback and refining its approach to remain relevant to the realities leaders face. The next cohort will take place from winter to spring 2027.

Learn more about the Change Resilience Development Program (CRDP).