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Asper School of Business

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. More

University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

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Asper School of Business

James W. Burns Leadership Institute

The James W. Burns Leadership Institute offers undergraduate and graduate students from faculties across the university opportunities to develop the leadership knowledge necessary to pursue careers in any field. The institute provides innovative educational programming in leadership and conducts and supports research on leadership and organization studies.

Our mission

We are a catalyst for innovation and collaboration to develop leaders and create knowledge. We do this through:

Multidisciplinary connections
Innovative education and research
Community and the power of inclusion
Reconciliation and embracing Indigenous perspectives

Programs

Faculty and staff

Suzanne Gagnon.

Suzanne Gagnon

Suzanne Gagnon is the Canada Life Chair in Leadership Education, Associate Professor and Director for the James W. Burns Leadership Institute. In her role, she directs all educational activities of the Institute, and spearheads and designs the programming which the Institute offers, including the flagship President’s Student Leadership Program.

More about Suzanne Gagnon

Zhenyu Wu

A new role within the Institute, Dr. Wu will conduct and lead new research that assists in understanding a range of questions on the dynamics of leadership. His expertise is in strategy leadership and entrepreneurship. Dr. Zhenyu Wu was appointed as the Canada research Chair in July 2020.

More about Zhenyu Wu

Melissa Gayle

Melissa Gayle is the Program Coordinator and Assistant to the Director for the James W. Burns Leadership Institute. In her role, she supports all of the work of the Institute as the primary person responsible for coordination of new activities and programming, and in particular the President’s Student Leadership Program (PSLP). Within this role she developed and administers the PSLP Mentoring Program.

More about Melissa Gayle

Suzanne Gagnon.

James W. Burns Leadership Institute Advisory Board

The James W. Burns Leadership Institute Advisory Board is a broad-based group of senior leaders from community, postsecondary and business organizations. They provide advice as a sounding board and source of input into strategic planning and programming for the Institute

Dr. Marcia Anderson
Executive Director of Indigenous Academic Affairs in the Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
- Learn more about Dr. Marcia Anderson
Todd Asman
Executive Vice President, Products and Financial Planning
IG Wealth Management
- Learn more about Todd Asman
Devon Clunis
Former Chief of Police
Winnipeg Police Service
- Learn more about Devon Clunis
Diane Gray
President and CEO
Centre Port Canada
- Learn more about Diane Gray
Charles Henaire
Executive Vice President, Deputy CFO, Chief Accounting and Control Officer
Great-West Life
- Learn more about Charles Henaire
Dr. Gady Jacoby
Dean, I.H. Asper School of Business
CPA Manitoba Chair in Business Leadership
- Learn more about Dr. Gady Jacoby
Lisa Kassenaar
Senior Writer and Editor
Global Women's Coverage, Voice of America
- Learn more about Lisa Kassenaar
John Kearsey
Vice-President (External)
University of Manitoba
- Learn more about John Kearsey
Mary Jane Maillet Brownscombe
Co-Founder and Strategist
SHEACCELERATOR Inc.
- Learn more about Mary Jane Maillet Brownscombe
Mariette Mulaire
President and CEO
World Trade Centre - Winnipeg
- Learn more about Mariette Mulaire
Dawn Nedohin-Macek
Board Member, Engineers Canada
Transmission Services and Compliance Department Manager, Manitoba Hydro
- Learn more about Dawn Nedohin-Macek
Peter Pomart
Director, Indigenous Business Education Partners
Asper School of Business
- Learn more about Peter Pomart
Dr. Janice Ristock
Provost and VP Academic
University of Manitoba
- Learn more about Dr. Janice Ristock
Colin Ryan
President, The Associates, Asper Business School
Senior Vice President, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at BMO Nesbitt Burns
- Learn more about Colin Ryan
Dr. Samar Safi-Harb
Canada Research Chair in Supernova Remnants Astrophysics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba
- Learn more about Dr. Samar Safi-Harb
Trudy Schroeder
Executive Director
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
- Learn more about Trudy Schroeder
Dr. Dan Smith
Vice -President Research and Academic
University College of the North
- Learn more about Dr. Dan Smith
Dr. Mark Torchia
Vice Provost, Teaching and Learning
University of Manitoba
- Learn more about Dr. Mark Torchia
Dr. Christine Watson
Vice-President Academic
Red River College
- Learn more about Dr. Christine Watson
Neil Taylor
Former chairman
Investors Group Securities Inc
- Learn more about Neil Taylor

Visionary investment

The James W. Burns Leadership Institute at the I.H. Asper School of Business has been created through visionary investment from Canada Life, IG Wealth Management and the Power Corporation of Canada, as well as the Province of Manitoba.

Leadership highlights and takeaways

Contact us

James W. Burns Leadership Institute
Room 414 Drake Centre
181 Freedman Cres.
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V4

204-474-7071