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

Upcoming events
Programs
Leadership highlights and takeaways
Faculty and staff
Faculty and Staff
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
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Todd Asman
Executive Vice President, Products and Financial Planning
IG Wealth Management -
Diane Gray
President and CEO
Centre Port Canada -
Charles Henaire
Executive Vice President, Deputy CFO, Chief Accounting and Control Officer
Great-West Life -
Lisa Kassenaar
Senior Writer and Editor
Global Women's Coverage, Voice of America -
Mary Jane Maillet Brownscombe [BComm(Hons)/88, MA/11]
Indigenous Business Relations Executive-in-Residence,
Asper School of Business
Founder of SHEanalytics -
Mike Nader
President and Chief Executive Officer, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority -
Dawn Nedohin-Macek
Board Member, Engineers Canada
Director of Cyber Security and Enterprise Architecture -
Shreeraj Patel [BComm(Hons)/02, MBA]
Vice President, Commercial Financial Services, RBC -
Peter Pomart
Director, Indigenous Business Education Partners
Asper School of Business -
Colin Ryan
President, The Associates, Asper Business School
Senior Vice President, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at BMO Nesbitt Burns -
Dr. Samar Safi-Harb
Canada Research Chair in Supernova Remnants Astrophysics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba -
Trudy Schroeder
Executive Director
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra -
Dr. Dan Smith
Vice -President Research and Academic
University College of the North -
Dr. Leisha Strachan
Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management -
Dr. Mark Torchia
Vice Provost, Teaching and Learning
University of Manitoba -
Dr. Christine Watson
Vice-President Academic
Red River College
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Past Advisory Board Members
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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 -
Devon Clunis
Former Chief of Police
Winnipeg Police Service -
Dr. Gady Jacoby
Former Dean and CPA Manitoba Chair, Asper School of Business -
Mariette Mulaire
President and CEO, World Trade Centre Winnipeg -
Dr. Janice Ristock
Provost and VP Academic
University of Manitoba -
John Kearsey
Vice-President (External)
University of Manitoba -
Neil Taylor
Former chairman
Investors Group Securities Inc
Contact us
James W. Burns Leadership Institute
Room 414 Drake Centre
181 Freedman Cres.
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V4