Master of Arts in Global Leadership

Brenda Schoepp

My love has always been for the land, and as a farmer, I was blessed to participate in agriculture at home in Canada and internationally. As farmers, we feed the world, and what we do is important. Sharing this story through the written word, speaking, and engaging young entrepreneurs through mentorship remains my passion.    
 
While I did not have a specific goal in joining the MA in Global Leadership program, I did have a dream and completing my MA was part of that vision, which was to accomplish this for myself and to continue with life-long learning.  
 
Without a doubt, I cherish and deeply respect the relationships I developed. I feel privileged to be in the company of my fellow cohort, instructors and research participants - all of whom are inspiring and igniting change in their communities and their world. I am humbled by my transformation and reach, which left me looking at life with a deeper appreciation and acceptance.  
 
However, I did not fully appreciate the journey until it had time to resonate and age along with me. There are many times when I now reach back, not only to those lived experiences but to my leadership studies - pulling forward these gems of knowledge. Leadership thrives in curiosity, compassion and courage, and I'm enjoying my journey with a renewed purpose and confidence in my professional and business life.

Janice Lo

Before joining Royal Roads and the MA in Global Leadership program, I worked in talent development and engagement in the beauty industry. I was really looking forward to learning the practical tools and strategies to tackle current global leadership challenges and opportunities.  I wanted to learn skills and techniques that I can apply in real-world situations to make a positive impact on communities and the planet. I was also excited about improving my understanding of systems thinking and approaches, which are crucial for addressing complex challenges in the modern era.   

Throughout the learning journey, I had the opportunity to engage in discussions with fellow cohort members and learn from experts in diverse fields such as gender, conflict resolution, strategic planning, artificial intelligence, governance, community development, geopolitics, international politics, and global civil society. This collaboration exposed me to diverse perspectives, challenging my thinking and expanding my worldview, which has been invaluable to me.  

One aspect of the program that I truly cherish is the personal growth I experienced. Through self-reflection and development, I improved my leadership skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, as well as increased my adaptability and resilience in a rapidly changing global landscape. The program empowered me to lead differently, taking a holistic view and identifying root causes to design effective solutions. It also developed my agility and flexibility in navigating ambiguity, uncertainty, and volatility as a leader.  

Overall, the program has had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. It has expanded my understanding of global systems and their interconnections, enabling me to make a positive impact in my work and beyond. 

Joseph Umoetteh

Prior to joining RRU, I worked as an international development and trade administration professional for nearly twenty years, developing and managing programs for various U.S. Government agencies. I implemented initiatives to enhance international partnerships/collaborations, accreditation/empowerment, and access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses. Later, I transitioned to the private sector as a Head of Special Projects for a sustainability consulting company, leading the design and implementation of capacity development programs for clients in both the public and private sectors. 

I was drawn to join the MA in Global Leadership program driven by my belief that businesses are interconnected with the environment and that leading in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world requires a different mindset and worldview. The program's focus on personal leadership, community engagement, systems thinking, and leading with humanity aligns with my belief that culturally appropriate and experiential learning/training can transform individuals and foster sustainable practices. 

Throughout my learning journey, I appreciated the program's emphasis on personal transformation, rejecting self-limiting beliefs imposed by past conditioning. I worked as a Teaching Assistant in the program, and I was able to put my learning into practice immediately. I now embrace the philosophy that transformation is not a gradual change but a willingness to challenge fixed assumptions, beliefs, and biases. I firmly believe that transforming mental models is critical to the future of humanity and the planet.  

Today, I lead differently by seeing all human engagements as opportunities to lead, challenging my assumptions, and developing an inclusive perspective to embrace differences. I also view the capstone project as an exciting opportunity to collaborate with community stakeholders, promote transformation, and enhance my personal growth. 

Shawna Yamkovy

For 21 years, I worked for the RCMP in Finance and Operations. I also volunteered for several non-profit Indigenous organizations and continue to serve as an executive board member for the Indigenous Congress of Alberta Association. My focus of interest is on Indigenous language revitalization, specifically Dëne Sųłiné yati, my maternal ancestral language. Working within non-profits enhanced my desire to address vital issues around the language, culture, health and well-being of all Indigenous peoples as a pathway of reconciliation and intergenerational healing.   

My desire to join the Master of Arts in Global Leadership program was initiated by my late aunt Sandra Faye Lockhart, a global leader whose inspiration and encouragement pushed me forward to succeed and rely on the teachings that were held in my heart; on this educational journey. My personal path of reconnection to my Indigeneity was embedded in a global and collective perspective of Indigenous peoples. The program framework of understanding complex global systems and supporting the development of global leadership with empathy, versatility, and adaptability and global system’s thinking approach supported my pathway to support community lead Dëne Sųłiné yati initiatives within Łutsël K'é Dene First Nation.  

I am incredibly grateful for my learning journey. I am thankful for the gently guided steps in the learning process, cohort, academic supervisor and faculty. I deeply cherish the work that came from my Capstone Research Project, on Dëne Sųłiné language revitalization, as is supporting strategies for the language to continue to be proudly shared around the fire, with land foods, tea, with our elders, families, children and grandchildren; in honour of the ancestors and all those who speak and were taught. This learning journey moved this vision into motion. I am forever grateful for the teachings I gained in my MA journey, which have enabled hope, inspiration and direction and as a current Royal Roads University Doctor of Social Sciences student, this journey proudly continues.  

I lead today with cross-cultural awareness, with an ability to adapt to culturally diverse environments and navigate through complexities and challenges, with self-awareness, humility, patience and inclusivity while being grounded and respecting collaborations and partnerships through effective communication, trust and compassion. While continuing to honour and respects Indigenous leadership teachings, our elders, the knowledge keepers, culture, land, language, tradition and ancestral teachings.   

Marsi cho. (Thank you).   

Kim Ursu

I have been working in government for the past 20 years as a member of Canada's foreign service. In my initial role as a Management & Consular Officer, I assisted Canadian citizens abroad during their worst moments and managed embassy administration in Ottawa, Cuba, the UAE, and Venezuela. Later, I transitioned into trade promotion, helping Canadian businesses export goods and services internationally.   

By joining the Master of Arts in Global Leadership program, I hoped to gain inspiration to reach beyond what I had been able to accomplish so far in my career. After two decades of challenging, fascinating work, I wanted to explore what more I could do in service of my country, and I needed some new ideas to get there.  The hybrid model was perfect as it allowed me to continue working while studying, with the added benefit of in-person connections, which I valued greatly. And I needed a model that I could handle with the 15-hour time difference. 

One of the things I am most grateful for about my learning journey was the opportunity to attend a residency in January 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic made international travel more challenging. I will never forget the aha moments of those enriching courses, as we dug our hands into systems thinking, servant leadership and so much more. Additionally, the connections I made with the faculty, staff, and my cohort were invaluable. I feel so fortunate to have joined a group of diverse, brave, committed, and generous individuals. I learned so much from them.  

Since completing the program, I deliberately take more risks and strive to create safe spaces for others to do the same. Now, I lead from a place of empathy and servitude, and I bring more of my authentic self to my role, which has made me more effective and fulfilled. As an ambassador dealing with complex and diverse problems daily, the skills I gained from the program helped me see systems, recognize connections, and identify patterns to try to effect sustainable change. I am committed to continuous learning and encourage those around me to follow their own journeys as well.

Mary Mandy

Previously, I worked with non-profit organizations to increase organizational effectiveness, drive broader social, and systems change. I was responsible for spreading awareness of the organizations’ causes, building partnerships and ensuring the voices of the community members reached the relevant stakeholders.  

I decided to apply to the Master of Arts in Global Leadership program once I became increasingly involved with local and international organizations. I found myself dealing with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and I felt I needed to develop my global leadership capabilities, intercultural competencies and global mindset to effectively navigate an increasingly diverse business world.   

In the program, the practical sessions led by specialists in the field, the one-on-one and group training, presentations, exercises and the capstone project provided me with access to a wealth of knowledge. I was able to identify my leadership strengths and gaps. As a result, my ability to lead in multicultural settings was greatly enhanced.  

Today, I lead differently in several ways. I am aware of the diverse ways in which people perceive and respond to various situations. This knowledge has been invaluable in my current role with the Government of Ontario, where I effectively communicate with individuals of different ages, backgrounds, traditions, and cultures. By bridging these gaps, I ensure that the organization's objectives are understood, despite the complexities of the systems in place. I have become more self-aware of my biases and actively strive to prevent them from influencing my decision-making process. I have also become more open-minded. I now embrace differing opinions, consider how my colleagues and clients perceive me, and I am less averse to engaging in difficult conversations. As a result, I have become an authentic leader who can inspire colleagues to collaborate toward achieving success and I am open to taking on more challenging roles as they arise.