Mastercard Emerging Leaders Cyber Initiative
Designed to empower women and non-binary leaders who want to shape the future of Canadian cybersecurity.
Funding provided in part by
Overview
The Mastercard Emerging Leaders Cyber Initiative (ELCI) is a Catalyst program designed to empower women and non-binary leaders seeking to advance into executive-level positions in cybersecurity or related fields.
The Catalyst is grateful for the continued support of Mastercard Canada, whose investment is supporting the development of a diverse community of cybersecurity leaders.
What Canada's cyber changemakers have to say
“Canada has a huge skills gap and a huge knowledge gap. ELCI is bringing together a diverse set of women and non-binary leaders to address that skill-set gap. We all have unique perspectives to bring when we are developing software and when we are assessing risks also associated with different tools online. They are constantly looking for opportunities to bring in other voices, opportunities to think about what harms we haven’t considered and who might be able to highlight those harms.”
– Vanessa Thomas (2023/24)
“This program has widened the lens and allowed learners to consider what they can contribute to cybersecurity, no matter what seat they’re in within their organization.”
– Trish Dyl | Program Director
“Learning about cybersecurity and cyber risk in this program has increased my confidence. The opportunity for women to come together and network is crucial. It enables you to bounce ideas off of each other and I think this program has brought a whole bunch of us together in a way that we are able to have those conversations and support each other.”
– Rebecca Murrant (2023/24)
“Programs like this are so important, especially in cybersecurity where threats are always evolving, we need to always be learning. If you can’t communicate the risks of a cyber attack or the risk of a system going down, what does that mean in dollars, in operations. I think communication is really everything in this field.”
– Marilena Danelon (2023/24)
ELCI Benefits
A part-time, hybrid program, ELCI combined five in-person residencies with online learning over seven months. Outside of dedicated class time, learners can expect to commit an additional eight to ten hours a month on reading, coursework and other programming.
The core modules will be complemented by additional skills development focused on deepening participants’ business acumen and providing them with a well-rounded set of leadership and professional skills to become changemakers within the cyber sector.
Individual Benefits
- Gain strategic insights into digital risk and cybersecurity management.
- Build your business foundations and executive toolkit.
- Develop leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Network with and be mentored by senior business leaders.
- Learn from global expert guest speakers.
- Access a lasting professional community through alumni programming.
Organizational Benefits
- Strengthen your organizational leadership capacity.
- Improve high-potential employee engagement and retention.
- Deepen organizational knowledge of the latest digital risk mitigation practices and strategies.
- Nurture diversity in your talent pipeline.
- Enhance resilience against evolving cyber threats.
- Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Advisory Groups & Faculty
Director, Cybersecurity
Research Lab;
Associate Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
Risk Management Expert;
& Teacher
Satellite Communications,
Department of National Defence
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