The ED Academy
Alumni Program
The ED Academy Alumni Program is designed for Executive Directors who have participated in the ED Academy and are looking to continue learning, connecting, and receiving support beyond the first year.
While the ED Academy provides a strong foundation for the role, leadership development does not end after this first year. Executive Directors continue to navigate complex decisions, evolving organizational needs, and the realities of leading small not-for-profit organizations.
The Alumni Program provides a continuation and a deepening of learning, connection, and support for EDs who participated in the ED Academy. It serves both those who have completed the program and those who would benefit from additional time to finish the program requirements while remaining connected to the community and resources of the ED Academy.
Participants remain part of a supportive community of Executive Directors committed to reflection, growth, and strengthening the organizations and communities they serve. In doing so, the Alumni Program contributes to building stronger, more resilient not-for-profit organizations across the region.
“I talk to my board all the time about what an asset this program is. The confidence and clarity I’ve gained by being able to continue the learning this way has been invaluable.
- EDA Alumni Member
The Program includes:
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Leadership Lens is a monthly 60-minute training session designed specifically for Executive Directors. Led by sector experts, these focused sessions introduce practical frameworks and perspectives that support participants in navigating complex leadership challenges and real-world situations.
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Building on the monthly theme explored in Leadership Lens, the Alumni Roundtable is a 90-minute facilitated session exclusively for alumni. This dedicated space allows participants to connect, reflect, and problem-solve with peers while supporting one another as they apply new ideas to their work.
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Some leadership moments benefit from a quick gut-check, while others require more focused support. ED Consults offer both. Participants can reach out through private messaging or voice notes in the community hub for in-the-moment guidance, and can book 30-minute one-on-one sessions when a situation requires deeper attention.
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The ED Academy Summit is an annual two-day, in-person gathering that brings together ED Academy cohorts, Alumni, and ecosystem partners. The summit provides an opportunity to reconnect, deepen leadership practice, and strengthen relationships across the sector in a supportive and inspiring environment.
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Participants retain access to the full library of online learning resources developed through the ED Academy. This includes tools, templates, and learning modules that Executive Directors can revisit at any time to support their work and leadership development.
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Participants remain connected through a private online community hub where they can ask questions, celebrate successes, and receive real-time support from fellow Executive Directors. The hub also includes a growing directory of ED Academy participants from across the Maritimes, making it easy to stay connected, collaborate, and expand professional networks.
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Executive Directors need time to recharge. No programming is scheduled in August, allowing participants space to rest, reflect, and recharge during the summer months.
Program Structure
Who Can Participate
The Alumni Program is open to Executive Directors who have participated in the ED Academy. Enrollment is offered on a rolling basis. Participants register for one year of participation, with the opportunity to renew to maintain a connection with the expanding network of not-for-profit leaders across the Maritimes and beyond.
Time Commitment
The Alumni Program is designed to fit within the demanding schedules of Executive Directors. Participants can expect approximately:
2–3 hours per month of virtual sessions
Participation in the annual two-day ED Academy Alumni Summit
“As a first-time ED, the world can feel pretty isolating… especially as an ED that serves my own community. This group has given me opportunities to connect and realize I wasn’t alone and that many of the processes and steps I was taking were the right (or at least good) ones!”
- ED Academy Participant
Topics & Learning Focus
Sessions focus on leadership challenges and opportunities that Executive Directors regularly navigate.
Examples include:
Change management
Government relations
Board governance and board–ED relationships
Conflict resolution and difficult conversations
Revenue diversification and fund development
Managing neurodiverse teams
Building effective collaborations and partnerships
Managing staff leaves and transitions
Supporting trauma-exposed teams
Topics are based on participant needs and emerging sector priorities.