About Leader Development
Leader Development exists to help people make a difference in the world, by becoming effective leaders of social change and public sector services.
What we stand for
Leader Development was founded by Todd Leader, in 2016, to facilitate positive change in the world by building leadership skills in people who want to make a difference. Our primary mission is to have a positive impact on issues that negatively affect people in our societies, like human rights, homelessness, mental health challenges, racism, oppression, stigma, violence, climate change, etc. We believe there is a need for a new kind of leader in communities, not-for-profits, and governments, who insist on putting the well-being of the public first (not just with words). As individuals, we must learn to not stay silent or disempowered while people suffer and struggle around us. We must learn to challenge the norm of political- and corporate-style leadership and administration in governments and public organizations. We must learn to replace it with public- and person-centered leadership skills and practices. We may be individuals trying to lead and advocate for change because of our passion or life experience. Or perhaps we're people paid to run public departments or organizations. In any case, we must keep developing our ability to lead in a new way. We must develop an intolerance of "the way things have always been done", because that "way" benefits us (e.g., staff, managers, politicians, the privileged, the healthy, the housed, the fed) more than the people we're supposed to be helping. We must learn to lead with an understanding and a deep belief that it's not about us.
About Todd Leader
As an author, a Registered Social Worker, and a Registered Community Psychologist, with over thirty years in leadership, Todd Leader has developed real-life, success-based expertise. He has been consulted by governments and organizations across Canada in many sectors including health, education, justice, child and youth care, long-term care, community non-profits, and private sector.
Todd has been a member of the Nova Scotia Ministerial Advisory Panel on Innovation in Mental Health and Addictions, President of the Public Health Association of Nova Scotia, President of the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia, Vice President of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Public Health Association, and his leadership contribution to his community has been recognized by a declaration in the Nova Scotia Legislature. He has also spent many years volunteering in schools and communities.
He has earned the 2014 Excellence in Teaching Award (Faculty of Arts), and the 2017 Overall Excellence in Teaching Award, from the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association. Health services under his leadership have earned two International Best Practice awards, and a leadership award for Excellence in Women’s Health. Todd’s book It’s Not About Us; The Secret to Transforming the Mental Health and Addiction System in Canada, a leadership book based on a true story of system transformation, continues to influence client-centered change across Canada. Todd is currently formulating a second edition, while also writing a book about his temporary, but life-threatening, medication-induced neurological illness several years ago, and his analysis of the stigma and discrimination he experienced from professional, academic, and government organizations.
Todd has not only held many leadership positions, but he has led real change and has coached and inspired many people, at all levels of organizations, to also be effective change agents…with or without a title. Having spent more than 30 years as both an educator and leader, Todd has developed an engaging style and skill set that are dynamic, entertaining, empowering, highly motivating, and always thought-provoking. The most common feedback received from people and organizations he has taught or trained is that he presents information in a way that is practical, useable, relatable, and inspiring.
If you’re looking to develop as a leader of social change, or of a public-sector department or organization, Todd’s unique combination of academic, professional, leadership, and lived experience can help you become part of the solution.
Be the first to know about courses!
Add your email and we'll let you know when courses get launched.