About

The Systems Leadership Sandbox is a space to inspire curiosity, stretch the imagination and experiment in possibility. It is a space to reimagine, to reinvent, and to play with concepts and ideas on how to work in complexity. Participants come away with a stronger foundation and new tools in applying systems thinking approaches in their own practice, as well as deepened relationships with others wrestling with time sensitive, systemic injustices impacting our communities.

Who's this for?

The Sandbox is an opportunity to build the capacity of nonprofit community leaders to more effectively and meaningfully lead, enact, and mobilize systems-level change. 

 

After participating in the Sandbox, community leaders will have:

  • Expanded knowledge and confidence in applying systems thinking tools and approaches.
  • Clearer sense of their role and responsibility as a leader in systems change.
  • Renewed sense of hope and possibility to work in complexity.

 

 

Program details

Session key dates

 

  • March 13, Friday, Opening Gathering
  • March 27 - Foundations in Systems & Complexity
  • April 10 and 11* - Systems Leadership
  • April 24 - Case Studies in Systems Thinking
  • May 8 and 9* - Reconciliation & Systems
  • May 22 - Systems Futures
  • June 5 - Changemaking Closing Gathering
The sessions will be run Fridays from 9 AM to 4 PM with two additional Saturday* sessions.


Registration costs

 

Registration opens January 12th with the registration fee of $2000.
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In recognition of reducing barriers and expanding course access, options for subsidized registrations are available. 
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Please select the option that best suits your needs, or reach out if you have questions.



 

 

Who are the session leads?

 

Cordelia Snowdon-Lawley and Lena Soots-Haley

Opening & reflective practice and self-awareness

March 13, 2026

Cordelia's bioLena's bio

Barb Rallison (Davies) and Lena Soots-Haley

Foundations in Systems and Complexity

March 27, 2026

Barb's bioLena's bio


Daniela Papi-Thornton

Systems Leadership

April 10 & 11, 2026

LinkedIn profile

Jill Andres

Case Studies in Systems Thinking

April 24, 2026

LinkedIn profile


Latasha Calf Rob and Tim Fox

Reconciliation and Systems

May 8 & 9, 2026

Latasha's LinkedIn profileTim's LinkedIn profile

Jeny Mathews-Thusoo

Systems Futures

May 22, 2026

LinkedIn profile


 

 

How to apply

Applications for the 2026 Systems Leadership Sandbox open on January 12 to March 1, 2026. 

 

 

 

 It was the perfect opportunity at the perfect time for me.

2023 Program participant

 

Questions?

Contact Cordelia Snowdon-Lawley at csnowdon@mtroyal.ca