Program Spotlight: CCIB x Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders

For its second cohort, the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) and Schulich ExecEd brought together a diverse group of emerging and experienced Indigenous leaders for a unique, tailored Mini-MBA. Designed to sharpen strategic thinking, financial acumen, and management capability, the program blends expert-led sessions with real-world applications and peer collaboration to deliver immediate, lasting value for its participants.

Customized to address the systemic barriers faced by Indigenous professionals, the curriculum merges Schulich ExecEd’s business expertise with CCIB’s insights into the Indigenous economy. By focusing on critical business pillars through a culturally relevant lens, the program empowers Indigenous entrepreneurs and professionals to scale their businesses, accelerate their careers, and drive forward the goals of economic reconciliation.

Reflecting on the partnership, Rami Mayer, Executive Director at Schulich ExecEd, emphasized the broader significance of the program:

“This collaboration between Schulich ExecEd and CCIB demonstrates the power of combining top-tier executive education with Indigenous leadership, knowledge, and lived experience. Together, we created a program that not only strengthens leadership capacity, but also fosters meaningful dialogue, shared understanding, and long-term impact across communities and organizations.”

From CCIB’s perspective, the program represented a long-held vision coming to life. Paul-Emile McNab, Vice President of Member Experience at CCIB, who helped shape the initiative from the beginning shared:

“From the outset, our goal was to create a learning experience grounded in Indigenous realities while opening doors to professional development and networks that are often out of reach for Indigenous entrepreneurs and leaders. Seeing participants leave with stronger confidence, relationships, and a renewed sense of possibility confirms the lasting value of investing in learning for our members, and why partnerships like this are so important.”

The experience is best reflected through the voices of the cohort, as participants described how they applied new frameworks, strengthened their leadership approach, and translated learning into immediate, real-world impact:

Practical Business Skills for Immediate Application

For many participants, the curriculum provided a vital bridge between theoretical frameworks and their daily work.

“The Schulich Mini-MBA was a powerful experience,” shared Shyra Barberstock, CEO and co-founder of Kebaonish and Okwaho Equal Source. “As an entrepreneur of more than a decade, I came in with practical experience, but this program gave me the language, frameworks, and strategic clarity to strengthen and scale what I’ve built. It sharpened how I think about finance, leadership, and growth, and reinforced the importance of continuing to invest in your development at every stage of your journey.”

For James Dekker, an HR professional in the Financial Services sector, the experience filled a long-standing gap. “This was the MBA I’d always wanted but never had the time to pursue, with structured learning, practical concepts, and incredible networking,” he said. “We could apply what we learned right away, putting theory into practice at an accelerated pace.”

Leadership Development Grounded in Reality

Participants from corporate and community environments alike noted how closely the curriculum mirrored real‑world leadership challenges.

“It was very aligned with my work since I work in a corporate setting,” said Nicole Baker, a team lead at a major energy company navigating leadership without formal authority. “I was impressed how we covered so many topics in such a short time, but that’s how things work in real life. Sometimes, you have just one week to prepare for something.”

The program’s format also accommodated the demanding schedules of modern professionals.

“The flexibility made a huge difference,” added Isaiah Kicknosway. “I could fully participate from wherever I was but also commit to the offered in-person sessions once per month. The only downside is that the program made me want more: more depth, more topics, and more education. This experience inspired me to continue learning beyond the program to build my skills. I would not have another opportunity like this with my schedule.”

Indigenous Perspectives, Community, and Connection

The program began with a traditional opening led by Elder Ed Sackaney, grounding participants in Indigenous ways of knowing and setting the tone for a learning experience rooted in respect, community, and purpose.

Throughout the program, fireside chats with Indigenous leaders deepened learning further in the Indigenous context. Participants heard from Saga Williams, a program alumna from the inaugural cohort of the Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders, whose session on Creating Self‑Sustaining Communities through Governance and Economic Development emphasized the critical role of strong governance in building resilient Indigenous economies.

Another session on Indigenous Finance with Jonathan Davey, Managing Director, Global Markets and Indigenous Advisory at Scotiabank, explored Indigenous equity ownership, Treaty law, and structuring major projects for long‑term mutual benefit between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

“Jonathan’s fireside chat during the Schulich Mini‑MBA was both insightful and thought‑provoking,” said Nicole. “His reflections, grounded in Indigenous values and law, reinforced that economic reconciliation is not only good business, but necessary for building sustainable and respectful relationships.”

Additional micro-workshops on Risk & Governance, and Networking and Community Building further addressed key skill gaps identified through CCIB’s research, ensuring the curriculum reflected emergent needs and opportunities specific to Indigenous business excellence.

Beyond the formal workshops, the program hosted “learning circles”, three virtual sessions for the Indigenous leaders cohort to share challenges, exchange ideas, and support one another, fostering a strong sense of community across the cohort.

“Every element of this program was intentionally designed to be practical, rigorous, and respectful of participants’ time and unique contexts rooted in Indigenous business,” said Megan Mitchell, Program Director of the Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders, at Schulich ExecEd. “Seeing how quickly the participants came together and supported one another during the process, was incredibly rewarding.”

A Lasting Impact Beyond the Classroom

For many participants, the program reshaped how they think about business—and what’s possible next.

“Every instructor was engaging, thoughtful, and well prepared,” shared Erin Davidson. “This program changed how I look at business and decision‑making, and it fit my life.”

That sense of transformation was echoed in the relationships and shared experiences participants built along the way.

“The Indigenous integration and cohort connections were incredibly meaningful,” said Patricia Kittelberger. “We’ve built relationships that will last. I truly believe this program would be incredibly beneficial to others who don’t always have access to learning like this.”

Together, the Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders built more than just business skills. It cultivated confidence, capability, and community, equipping a new wave of Indigenous leaders to drive meaningful impact within their organizations and across the Canadian business landscape.