Whether you’re new to a senior leadership role or a seasoned executive, there’s always good reason to develop your skills and ask yourself how you’re showing up for your team.
This fall, Fleming College Institute (FCI) is launching P.E.A.K. (Positive. Effective. Applied. Knowledgeable.) Executive Leadership, an all-new specialized program to help you grow into the leader you’ve always envisioned.
Established in 2023, FCI delivers specialized professional and personal development programs to meet current and future market demands.
‘Everyone needs leadership training’
With tailored solutions developed through expertise in market research and analysis, consulting and project management, FCI’s specialized training initiatives prepare individuals in all types of organizations to excel in their roles, including leadership.
“Everyone needs leadership training,” says Karen Foster, Project Manager, Specialized Training for FCI. “We work with not-for-profits, healthcare organizations, municipalities, and manufacturers — any employers who need leadership training for their team. We frequently provide training for employers looking to equip team members for leadership roles who perhaps were on the shop floor before.”
One of FCI’s most popular training programs is P.E.A.K. Leadership, which is designed to provide new or seasoned leaders with the skills they need to succeed. Through peer-to-peer learning, in-depth coaching, and applied projects, participants explore topics that include coaching fundamentals, employment law, project planning, creative and critical thinking, creating high performing teams, and much more.
VIDEO: FCI Specialized Training
The P.E.A.K. Leadership training program equips participants with practical skills and key leadership strengths through expert facilitation and coaching. FCI also offers a Continuous Improvement Leadership stream of this program, which combines P.E.A.K. Leadership with a Lean White Belt Certification for participants, designed to build expertise in eliminating waste and optimizing workflow.
Participants currently enrolled in the 22-week half-day program come from a range of backgrounds and sectors, allowing them to extend their learning through conversations with others in their cohort, in addition to their expert facilitators.
“The networking that happens in the classroom is exciting,” says Foster. “When we put them together, it is remarkable to see them learning about best practices in their various industries. We could have a not-for-profit leader and a manufacturer and a municipal employee all in the same cohort, learning what each other does and applying those practices to their own work. They really grow during their time with us.”
New executive leadership program launches this fall
In response to a demand for similar development opportunities for leaders at the top of their organizations, FCI is launching P.E.A.K. Executive: A Purposeful Leadership Development program in the fall of 2026. Intended for seasoned executives and emerging senior leaders, the program provides practical frameworks and leadership mastery opportunities to empower participants to lead with purpose, and by design.
The program will be led by Sophie Mathewson, who has built an award-winning career in executive coaching, consulting, and facilitation. Mathewson holds a Professional Certified Coach (ICF PCC) designation and certifications as an EqMentor, Professional Behavioural Analyst, Driving Forces (Values) Analyst, TriMetrixHD Analyst, and Emotional Quotient (EQ/EI) Analyst.
Locally, she has taken on various high-level leadership roles including serving as President of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, President of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, and co-chair of a United Way Campaign. She has also served with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation, the Human Resources Professional Association’s Peterborough Chapter, and Community Living Peterborough.
“Sophie has the leadership and coaching skills that we want for this program, and leaders will benefit greatly from sitting in sessions facilitated by her and being coached by her over the course of this six-month program,” Foster says. “I can’t say enough about how much she will add to the learning, just because of who she is — she models the type of leadership she will be communicating about during the program.”
Helping executives become the leader they want to be
For her part, Mathewson explains the P.E.A.K. Executive Leadership Development program is not a technical or “how-to” program.
“This executive program is designed for leaders who are ready to elevate their leadership impact and effectiveness,” she says. “It is very much about guiding executives to lead with greater purpose, self-awareness and intention. It starts by looking at how leaders define themselves and how they want to show up for their people.”
The program contains five distinct modules, covering topics such as intentional leadership grounded in self-awareness and personal values, elevating employee morale and engagement, inspiring trust, succession planning, and more.
Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all leadership models, Mathewson says, “the program equips executives with frameworks and perspectives they can adapt to their own leadership challenges while fostering cultures grounded in trust and integrity.”
“Once they can catch on with a few basic tools, they can start to adapt and personalize their leadership plan so they can help each person in their organization thrive and grow,” Mathewson adds.
In addition to offering one-on-one coaching sessions with Mathewson, the program will see the creation of mastermind groups that will allow participants to connect with each other in between sessions and even beyond the program.
“Mastermind groups help people bond, know, and grow from each other,” Mathewson says. “It can be very powerful for people and provide a safe shoulder they can lean on after the course.”
Six-month program launches in October
P.E.A.K. Executive Leadership program sessions will take place on the second Wednesday of each month for six months beginning in October.
Recognizing the pressures facing today’s executives, Foster says the program offers an opportunity for meaningful reflection, strategic growth, and leadership in a collaborative, safe environment.
“It will enrich what they’re already doing,” she says. “The exercises, one-on-one coaching, facilitated learning, and networking in this program will greatly benefit them, no matter what industry they’re part of.”
To learn more about the P.E.A.K. Executive Leadership program, visit flemingcollegeinstitute.ca/p-e-a-k-executive-leadership-training-program or email training@flemingcollege.ca.
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