Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders

Supercharge your career with the best need-to-know topics from the award-winning MBA by Canada’s top-ranked business school.

Back for its second year, CCIB and Schulich ExecEd are proud to continue their partnership on the Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders. Founders, owners, and other Indigenous professionals within CCIB’s vibrant membership network looking to expand their leadership will gain highly applicable and relevant business skills taught in Canada’s leading MBA program.

Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders

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Fees: 10,150
Length: 12 sessions over 10 months
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Schulich Mini-
MBA Program

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In partnership with the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business
  • Programs
  • Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders

A Business Program Like No Other

Rooted in the lived experiences of both the business and Indigenous communities, the CCIB cohort within the Schulich Mini-MBA offers a powerful blend of academic excellence and real-world relevance. This first-of-its-kind initiative combines Schulich ExecEd’s award-winning professional development with CCIB’s mission to foster Indigenous business excellence.

Participants will explore core Mini-MBA content while engaging in:

  • In-person kickoff and graduation events to build connections and celebrate milestones.
  • A Capstone project that applies your learning to a real-world challenge.
  • Group coaching sessions with a seasoned Schulich Business Coach to deepen your insights.

Graduates will earn the official Schulich Mini-MBA Certificate and benefit from ongoing support through CCIB’s coaching programs.

A Specialized Cohort Experience: The CCIB cohort of Indigenous leaders will run as a unique sub cohort within the general Schulich Mini-MBA program. As part of a dedicated CCIB sub-cohort, you’ll enjoy a tailored learning experience while also engaging with peers from diverse sectors and communities—enriching your perspective and expanding your network.

CCIB and Schulich are committed to ensuring that our specialized cohort benefits from several unique program features tailored for you:

  • A Dedicated Program Director: A dedicated program director will guide you through your business and community-specific Action Learning Projects, ensuring you receive tailored support throughout the program.
  • Facilitated Learning Circles: Each classroom day will begin with facilitated learning circles exclusively for CCIB participants, fostering a sense of community among Indigenous leaders.
  • Micro-Learning Events: We’ll host micro-learning events focusing on topics that address key gaps in the Indigenous business community, in partnership with CCIB.
  • Guest Speakers: You’ll have the opportunity to hear from inspiring guest speakers from CCIB, sharing insights and experiences relevant to your journey.
  • Unique Program Culmination & Graduation Event: In the Summer of 2026, you’ll have the chance to present your solution to a panel of senior Indigenous leaders and Schulich leaders at a CCIB-hosted event, showcasing your learnings and impact.

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PROGRAM PRE-REQUISITES: To participate in the Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders, all applicants must meet the following mandatory prerequisites:

  • An undergraduate degree or equivalent (preferred)
  • A minimum of 5 years of professional work experience
  • Current experience in a management-level or entrepreneurial role
  • Verified membership with the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB)

Please ensure you meet all of the above qualifications prior to registering for the program. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your registration being withdrawn.

This program is more than a credential—it’s a transformative experience designed to empower Indigenous leaders with the tools, confidence, and community to thrive. Enrol in the CCIB x Schulich Mini-MBA today.

Thank you to our sponsors for the support in helping make this program accessible to Indigenous leaders and entrepreneurs:

Sponsor logos

Program Overview

  • Our inaugural CCIB cohort of Indigenous leaders as part of the general Schulich Mini-MBA program aims to empower Indigenous leaders with a tailored curriculum that integrates business acumen, driving excellence in business performance, with considerations unique to Indigenous business leadership. The program covers various content areas, selected based on the core skill needs of CCIB and Indigenous professionals, all of which relate to the strategic objectives of CCIB to grow a diverse and prosperous Indigenous community:

    1. Critical Thinking for Leaders
    2. Confidence Code Assessment
    3. Action Learning Project (ALP)
    4. Storytelling with Data Visualization
    5. Strategic Management I
    6. Presentation Skills: Essentials
    7. Strategic Management II
    8. Creating High-Performance Teams
    9. Managerial Finance
    10. Marketing Strategy
    11. Essentials of Human Resource Management
    12. AI for Business Professionals
    13. ALP Presentations & Graduation
    14. Business Communications (3 Hours – Private – for CCIB Participants only)
    15. Risk Management & Governance (3 Hours – Private – for CCIB Participants only)
    16. Networking & Relationship Building (3 Hours – Private – for CCIB Participants only)

  • The Capstone Project is the centerpiece of our inaugural CCIB cohort of Indigenous leaders as part of the general Schulich Mini-MBA program. This project tackles a community-driven issue of the participants’ choice. Running concurrently with the Mini-MBA classes, the Capstone provides a platform for action learning and collaboration as participants apply program learnings toward ideating solutions to a real-world challenge. The program will culminate with participants presenting their Capstone solutions to a guest panel of senior leaders.

  • Module Date Time
    Module 1 – Critical Thinking for Leaders 10/1/2026 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Module 2 – Confidence Code Assessment 10/1/2026 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Module 3 – Action Learning Project (ALP) 10/2/2026 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Module 4 – Storytelling with Data Visualization 10/2/2026 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Module 5 – Strategic Management I 10/3/2026 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Module 6 – Presentation Skills: Essentials 10/3/2026 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Module 7 – Strategic Management II 11/5/2026 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Module 8 – Creating High-Performance Teams 11/5/2026 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
    Module 9 – Managerial Finance 11/6/2026 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
    Module 10 – Marketing Strategy 11/7/2026 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
    Module 11 – Essentials of Human Resource Management 12/3/2026 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
    Module 12 – AI for Business Professionals 12/4/2026 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
    Module 13 – ALP Presentations & Graduation 12/5/2026 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

    Private Sessions – for CCIB Participants Only:

    • •  Opening & Program Launch with Elder Ed Sackaney
    • •  Schulich Micro-Workshop on Risk Management & Governance – for CCIB Participants (3 hours)
    • •  Schulich Micro-Workshop on Networking & Relationship Building – for CCIB Participants (3 hours)
    • •  Fireside Chat with Jon Davey, Vice President, CEO Support, Scotiabank, on Indigenous Finance (45 minutes)
    • •  Guest Lecture with Saga Williams, Owner of AS Williams Consulting & Advisor to the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, on Creating Self-Sustaining Communities through Governance and Economic Development (45 minutes)

    *Note: Exact date/time for the above private sessions are to be confirmed.

What You Get

After completing the Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders, you'll receive an authentic digital badge from the #1 business school in Canada that employers will recognize.

Schulich Mini-MBA Certificate

Awarded when a series of more extensive programs are completed and a greater skill set achieved.

Get Training in Marketable Skills

Strategic Thinking
Leadership Skills
Decision Making
Organizing Teams & Resources
Risk Management
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills

Who Will Benefit

Aspiring Managers

Develop your business acumen and set a versatile foundation for your leadership journey.

Mid-Career Professionals

Perfect for managers or non-business professionals looking to perform their current role better and expand their business acumen.

Entrepreneurs

An excellent program for startup leaders who need to learn the business and people-oriented skills that are crucial to growing their company.

6 Reasons to Enrol

Amazing Education for Busy Professionals

This program packs rich learnings into a flexible, manageable timeframe. Attend three, 3-day modules over two months. Between modules, engage at your own pace with online material, videos and readings.

Stand Out from the Crowd

Get a unique business education directly related to your professional career. This program covers core MBA topics, from finance and marketing to strategy and business analysis.

Learn from the Pros

Train with top-rated Schulich MBA and EMBA instructors that are consistently ranked among the world’s best.

Tackle Exciting Challenges

Apply your newly acquired skills to an engaging Capstone project, modelled after the renowned Schulich Strategy Field Study. Get feedback from business experts.

Build A Meaningful Network

Connect with and learn from peers and leaders across a wide range of sectors, industries and professions.

Earn Higher Pay

Schulich ExecEd students gain the confidence, skills and perspective to attain better roles, launch new ventures and lead their teams to new heights.

What Difference Will You Make?

During COVID-19 at the time of the “great remote” the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) leadership had the foresight to extend to its entire management team the opportunity to complete the Schulich Masters Certificate in Management. I personally thrived and gladly embraced Schulich’s expertise in remote learning. It was like each new class and teacher brought learning enlightenment into my home. Thanks to ONWA and Schulich I confidently navigated COVID-19 but also a learning experience at later time in my life that energized my work and complimented my toolset and for this I am so grateful.

 

- Andre Morriseau Communications Manager, Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)

Enrol in the Schulich Mini-MBA for Indigenous Leaders

Become the next graduate of this unique Mini-MBA program for Indigenous professionals and entrepreneurs.