As the new school year begins, leaders across the education sector are thinking about how to better serve their students, communities, and missions. The Discovery Pod has shared conversations with some of Canada’s most thoughtful education leaders who are not only shaping their institutions but also driving sector-wide change.
This back-to-school roundup revisits four conversations with Anand Mahadevan (Canadian Accredited Independent Schools), John Dalrymple (Canada’s National Ballet School), Paul Laroque (Arts Umbrella), and Dr. Jacline Nyman (University of Ottawa). Their stories offer critical insights into equity, philanthropy, leadership development, and the evolving role of education in society. As different as their organizations may be, their leadership lessons share common ground.
Purpose-Driven Leadership with Anand Mahadevan, Canadian Accredited Independent Schools
In our conversation with Anand Mahadevan, Executive Director of Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), we explored how accreditation goes far beyond compliance—it’s a tool for continuous improvement, trust-building, and culture-shaping. Anand spoke about how CAIS schools embrace a spirit of servant leadership and difference-making, each telling its own story while sharing a unifying value of student agency and institutional reflection.
Philanthropy emerged as a key topic. Whether building new infrastructure or expanding bursary programs, Anand emphasized that successful fundraising begins with storytelling. Schools that clearly articulate their “margin of excellence” find that donors follow. For leaders grappling with how to build a culture of giving, Anand’s insights are especially timely.
Centering Equity with John Dalrymple, Canada’s National Ballet School
John Dalrymple’s episode is a masterclass in how to center equity—not just in language, but in lived experience. As Executive Director of Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS), John shared the school’s candid journey of reckoning with its past and realigning its future to reflect a more inclusive and accessible vision of ballet.
From launching equity-focused action plans to forming deep partnerships with Indigenous artists and local community groups, NBS is actively reshaping who belongs in ballet—and who gets to lead. John’s reflection on the importance of generosity, humility, and cultural practice in long-term systems change is a lesson not just for arts institutions, but for any organization navigating the path from aspiration to accountability.
Investing in People with Paul Laroque, Arts Umbrella
Paul Laroque, President and CEO of Arts Umbrella, emphasized the importance of empowering young people through access to high-quality arts education. He shared how Arts Umbrella’s commitment to accessibility, supported by both public and philanthropic funding, has helped build an inclusive, welcoming space for youth to thrive artistically and personally.
For Paul, growing organizational capacity starts with investing in the people—students, teachers, and staff—who make the mission possible. His leadership shows that by removing barriers to participation and expanding access, organizations don’t just increase enrolment; they deepen their purpose and strengthen their communities.
Philanthropy as a Strategic Driver with Dr. Jacline Nyman, University of Ottawa
Dr. Jacline Nyman, former Vice President of External Relations at the University of Ottawa, brought a higher-education lens to the conversation, discussing the dynamic role that post-secondary institutions play in advancing equity, student success, and public purpose.
From building integrated alumni and donor communities to rethinking engagement in a bilingual, national, and international context, Dr. Nyman illustrated how strategic planning and governance can go hand-in-hand with community-building. Her reflections on adaptability, responsiveness, and values-based leadership resonate deeply in today’s rapidly evolving education environment.
Shared Lessons for the New School Year
Across these conversations, a clear set of themes emerged. Purpose-driven leadership is essential for building trust and guiding change. Equity is not optional, it must be embedded throughout every part of the organization. Empowering people, from staff to community members, fuels resilience and long-term growth. And when philanthropy is aligned with purpose, it becomes a powerful driver of transformation. These lessons offer not only insight, but also a call to action for social profit leaders working to strengthen their organizations from the inside out.
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