2026 Canadian Executive Leadership Roundtable
Join us at York University in July 2026
Partner Event
EAB invites you to an executive gathering on July 8 – 9 hosted at York University to discuss the latest challenges facing our sector. Attendance is open to two senior leadership team members.
Canadian colleges and universities are entering a period of sustained financial and structural pressure. With limited prospects for near-term relief from federal or provincial governments, institutional leaders are being asked to move beyond short-term solutions and rethink how their organizations operate. This series of sessions is designed to support that shift—offering practical strategies to build more resilient, adaptable institutions.
Event Details
Audience: This session is limited to presidents, provosts, chief business officers, chiefs of staff, and heads of strategy.
For travel planning: The roundtable will commence with lunch at 12:00 p.m. on July 8 and will conclude at 12:00 p.m. on July 9.
EAB will also host a dinner for all attendees on the evening of July 8.
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Meeting Location
Schulich School of Business York University Executive Learning Centre
211 Lecture Hall
56 Fine Arts Road
Toronto, ON M3J 3M6
416-736-5079
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Hotel Accommodations
Schulich Executive Learning Centre
56 Fine Arts Rd
Toronto, ON M3J 3M6
416-650-8300 -
Reservations
- $219/Room
- Call 416-650-8300 or email [email protected] and mention EAB Canadian Roundtable to access our preferred rate
- Please reserve by June 16, 2026
Please make your reservation at your earliest convenience, as space and rates are subject to availability. For alternative hotel information, contact us at [email protected].
Agenda
Day One
12:00 p.m.
Guest Arrival and Registration
Lunch Provided
1:00 p.m.
Surviving in a Broken Postsecondary Financial Model
Canadian institutions are navigating a postsecondary funding model under significant strain. This session will examine the key pressures shaping the current environment, situating Canada within broader global trends across the UK, Australia, and the U.S. It will then explore the strategic options available to Canadian universities—grounded in the policy, funding, and governance constraints they face.
3:00 p.m.
What Comes After the Budget Cuts
Most Canadian colleges and universities have implemented significant budget reductions over the past two years, with further adjustments likely ahead. While necessary, balancing the budget alone will not address the underlying structural challenges facing the sector. This session will focus on how institutions can move beyond cuts—by strengthening institutional strategy, aligning resources to priorities, and rethinking how work gets done—to build resilience in an increasingly volatile environment.
4:30 p.m.
Assessing Your Change Readiness
We’ll redefine urgency drivers and constraints at your institution. You’ll move past paralysis and prioritize the specific areas where you are most likely to make an impact.
6:00 p.m.
Dinner
Day Two
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Identifying Sustainable Growth Opportunities
In the current environment, enrolment growth will not be sufficient to offset financial pressures—but it remains an essential part of institutional strategy. This session will examine where Canadian universities can still find sustainable growth, including international enrolment (despite challenging policy conditions), online and adult education, and partnerships with employers and communities.
10:30 a.m.
Building Institutional Agility
While Canadian universities face significant external challenges, many of the most difficult issues are internal: aligning diverse stakeholders around a shared direction and making timely, high-stakes decisions. This session will explore how institutional leaders can build greater agility—aligning executive teams and meaningfully engaging faculty and staff in navigating change.
12:00 p.m.
Adjournment