Leading with heart
Learn more about the Master of Arts in Leadership.
From her childhood in Harare, Zimbabwe, to her studies at Royal Roads University, Faith Chipawe has been guided by a consistent set of values.
Central to that foundation is Ubuntu – an African philosophy of interconnectedness – which emphasizes community over individuality and is based on the idea that “I am because we are,” meaning that one’s identity and humanity are shaped through relationship with others, she says.
For Chipawe, Master of Arts in Leadership '26, the program’s strong focus on values-based leadership brought her personal and professional beliefs into alignment, reshaping how she thinks about leadership at all levels.
“The biggest learning was the importance of aligning my personal values with the organizational values,” Chipawe says. “It requires intentionally asking, ‘What assumptions do I hold, and what would I do differently? This reflection to me is deeply connected to Ubuntu – the belief that ‘I am because we are,’ reminding me that my decisions and leadership are shaped through my relationships with others.”
In her work, with a Public Prosecution Service of Canada Regional Manager in Alberta, she supports teams in Edmonton and Calgary. Managing in person and remotely, she has been sharing lessons learned at Royal Roads.
Self-reflection helps individuals understand why they are receptive – or not – to change, she says. That awareness supports more meaningful conversations that support the work.
Learning to lead
As Royal Roads University marks the 30th anniversary of its Master of Arts in Leadership program, alumni like Chipawe demonstrate how its approach to systems thinking and self-reflection translates into real-world impact.
The deep dive into systems thinking provided a framework to think about the impacts of decisions across organizations. At the same time, it gave her the tools to critically examine her own beliefs and intentionally shape the workplace culture she wants to build.
“My experience at Royal Roads has a really direct and meaningful link to how I show up as a leader,” she says. “The program didn’t just provide the theoretical knowledge. It really shaped how I understand leadership and my identity as a leader.”
It also transformed her perspective on conflict.
“I learned to stop seeing conflict as something leaders should avoid, and instead see it as a chance to learn, grow, and create positive change.”
Shaping workplace culture
Culture is shaped through everyday decisions and behaviours, Chipawe says, and she is very intentional about how she does that.
In 2025, she received the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) Leadership Excellence Award and the Workplace Excellence Award for her work as co-lead of the National Employee Council for Black Employees. The work advocating for Black employees and supporting their careers within the public service has been very meaningful, she says.
“Leadership success is not defined by position, title, or promotion alone,” she says. “It’s also the ability to influence culture and inclusion while remaining aligned with my values in complex environments, recognizing our interconnectedness and the impact we have on one another.”
For Chipawe, that alignment is both a daily practice and a lasting takeaway.
“That to me is the true legacy of my Royal Roads experience.”
Learn more about the Master of Arts in Leadership.