Emerging Leaders Cyber Initiative (ELCI)

Mastercard Emerging Leaders Cyber Initiative

Designed to empower women and non-binary leaders who want to shape the future of Canadian cybersecurity.

In partnership with

Next Cohort Intake

October 2024

Location

Virtual & In-Person

Program Duration

7 Months

Time Commitment

Part-time

Cost

Free

Contact

elci@torontomu.ca

Overview

The Mastercard Emerging Leaders Cyber Initiative (ELCI) is a program from Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University 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. Through its contribution, Mastercard is building on its commitment to supporting Canadian innovation, while also growing the talent pipeline Canada needs to secure our nation’s digital transformation.

Overview

Next Cohort Intake:

October 2024

Location:

Virtual & In-Person

Program Duration:

7 Months

Time Commitment:

Part-time

Cost:

Free

Contact:

elci@torontomu.ca

Canada's Cyber Changemakers

“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

The Benefits of the ELCI Program

A part-time, hybrid program, ELCI will combine 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	Organizational Benefits
• Gain an in-depth and strategic understanding of organizational digital risk and cybersecurity management considerations. • Build your business foundations and executive strategy toolkit. • Develop your leadership and human skills. • Be mentored by, and network with, senior business leaders. • Learn from a range of guest speakers who are global experts in their fields. • Gain access to a long term professional community via alumni programming.	• 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.

Individual Benefits

Organizational Benefits

• Gain an in-depth and strategic understanding of organizational digital risk and cybersecurity management considerations.

• Build your business foundations and executive strategy toolkit.

• Develop your leadership and human skills.

• Be mentored by, and network with, senior business leaders.

• Learn from a range of guest speakers who are global experts in their fields.

• Gain access to a long term professional community via alumni programming.

• 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.

Further Skill Enhancement

Programming will be augmented with important human skills development. Topics such as Executive Presentation Skills, Building a Personal Brand and Supporting Team Mental Health will be delved into through expert guest sessions, interactive workshops and discussions.

Learners consolidate their program learning with a cumulative capstone project requiring a demonstration of newly developed digital risk management strategies, multi-disciplinary perspectives, and executive communication skills.

In addition, career mentorship will be a key component of the program, providing personalized support and career guidance from senior executives.

Curriculum & Schedule

ELCI is a part-time, hybrid program and will run from October 2024 to May 2025. The core of ELCI’s programming will be delivered through six instructor-led modules.

ELCI Schedule

ELCI is bringing together an expert team of instructors and faculty to deliver the cybersecurity and digital risk programming. Each program module will be led by a dedicated industry leader, who will guide the program delivery. Along with invited guest faculty and speakers, the leads will deliver high-impact programming, providing participants with tangible learnings to bring back to their organizations.

Below is a general overview of the program timetable.

Module	Description	Location & Dates
Canadian & Geopolitical Landscape	An exploration of the breadth and depth of an organization’s digital threat landscape. Learn about the current and emerging Canadian and global risks and how this can impact your organizations. Understand the Canadian cyber sector, including resources and support for ensuring resilience.	—In-Person— Toronto/Brampton, ON October 20 – 23, 2024
Business, Risk & Governance	Build a business case for cyber investment by assessing and articulating benefit, cost risk and ROI. Learn about governance, risk and compliance frameworks and their applications within your organization.	—In-Person— Toronto/Brampton, ON November 17 – 20, 2024
Supply Chain & Third Party Dependency	An in-depth look at an organization’s third-party ecosystem. Gain an understanding of supply chain dependencies and learn how to assess and mitigate these risks.	—Virtual— Toronto/Brampton, ON Wed January 15/29 & February 12/26, 2025 (2 hour timeslot)
Law & Regulation	A deep dive into the organizational risks and obligations posed by cybersecurity, privacy and data protection laws. Understand the legal implications of cyber risk, including case law and regulatory landscapes. Emphasis on Canadian operational context and legal updates.	—In-Person— Toronto/Brampton, ON March 2 – 5, 2025
Leading Through a Crisis	Examine incident response planning and considerations, including crisis management, communications and recovery. Develop your capacity to prepare for and respond to major unforeseen events through experiential learning.	—In-Person— Toronto/Brampton, ON April 6 – 9, 2025
Emerging Technologies and the Future of Cyber	Description: Delve into the key trends shifting the field, including digital assets, artificial intelligence and machine learning, quantum computing and resistance, industrial IoT and 5G edge computing.	—In-Person— Toronto/Brampton, ON May 5 – 7, 2025

Programming & Supports

A range of programming and support complements core modules focused on strengthening the skills leaders need to become changemakers within the cyber sector.

Culminating Cyber Challenge Projects

Learners consolidate their program learning with a cumulative capstone project demonstrating newly developed digital risk management strategies, multi-disciplinary perspectives and executive communication skills. Working in assigned teams throughout the program, learners will be assigned a project based on a current / emerging cybersecurity challenge. The final program activity will be a presentation of these projects to a Board of Directors audience.

Access to Leads, Speakers and Industry Experts

Module leads and facilitators engage with learners one-on-one or in small groups on questions related to the program curriculum, career advancement and other topics.

Career Mentorship

Learners will be matched with a mentor who has committed to providing a minimum of 10 hours of individualized support during the program.

Network Building

A significant focus of ELCI is building a supportive network. There are several opportunities for learners to work, socialize, and share ideas with each other. In addition, ELCI brings in expert guest speakers and hosts several networking receptions with senior industry leaders.

Learn from Industry Leaders

We are grateful to the members of our expert Advisory Group under whose guidance this program was developed. These Canadian public, private, and academic sector leaders are deeply committed to developing diverse leadership talent within the cybersecurity sector. They are equally committed to your success.

ELCI Advisory Group

Robert W. (Bob) Gordon

Strategic Advisor, Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX)

Michèle Mullen

Director, Project Delivery
Satellite Communications,
Department of National Defence

Lloyd Komori

Board Director;
Risk Management Expert;
& Teacher

Dr. Atefeh Mashatan

Canada Research Chair;
Director, Cybersecurity
Research Lab;
Associate Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University

Kate Karn

Director, Public Policy, Mastercard

Seema Verma

Director, Cyber Security Programs CISSP, Rogers Communications

Learn from Industry Leaders

ELCI is bringing together an expert team of instructors and faculty to deliver a high-impact program. Each module will be led by a dedicated industry leader. Learners will benefit from the depth of a leads’ knowledge in their respective fields and the broad perspectives they will engage with over the next seven months. Along with invited guest faculty and speakers, the leads will deliver high-impact programming, providing participants with tangible learnings to offer their organizations.

Lead Instructors

Lloyd Komori

Board Director;
Risk Management Expert;
& Teacher

Sarah Lang

Executive Leadership and Communications Coach

Ruth Promislow

Partner, Bennett Jones

Rebekah Brown

SANS Instructor

Admission Criteria

ELCI is designed for women and non-binary leaders who aspire to senior executive-level positions with oversight over organizational cybersecurity and related functions.

Diversity is Our Strength

The ELCI cohort will be composed of participants with a mix of technical and non-technical backgrounds. Applicants must currently reside in Canada and be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or Convention Refugee.

Thanks to the generosity of Mastercard Canada, ELCI is offered at no cost to participants. However, participants will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs for the in-person residencies.

Successful candidates will possess the following qualities:

Professional achievement

Demonstrated expertise in their field with responsibilities that take account of digital risk.

Leadership experience

8+ years of professional experience within the field; proven track record of leading people and processes; current job titles such as Senior Manager, Director, VP or equivalent.

Upward career progress

Successful organizational impact, with aspirations for an executive-level role.

How to Apply

1. Initial Application

Before applying please be sure that you are able to commit to the program schedule – including all five in-person residencies – as well as 8-10 hours/month outside of formal class time for
group work, readings and mentor connections.

Please note that the application will require:

An up-to-date resume
A personal statement of interest (no more than 500 words)

2. Online Interview & References

A shortlist of applicants will be invited to complete an online video interview in July 2024. Names and email addresses of two references will also be requested at this time. References required will include:

One Professional reference: Current employer, former employer, career mentor or professor.
One Leadership reference: Someone you have managed or mentored, either formally or informally.

Application deadline is Friday, July 26, 2024. Successful candidates will be notified by August 20, 2024.

For Individuals

For Organizations

For Entrepreneurs

Canada’s elite dual-certification program for launching or elevating a cybersecurity career.

Empowering women and non-binary leaders who are shaping the future of Canadian cybersecurity.

Advancing the Catalyst’s mission through original cyber research and industry engagement.

Mastercard Emerging Leaders Cyber Initiative

Designed to empower women and non-binary leaders who want to shape the future of Canadian cybersecurity.

In partnership with

Next Cohort Intake

October 2024

Location

Virtual & In-Person

Program Duration

7 Months

Time Commitment

Part-time

Cost

Free

Contact

Overview

Overview

Next Cohort Intake:

October 2024

Location:

Virtual & In-Person

Program Duration:

7 Months

Time Commitment:

Part-time

Cost:

Free

Contact:

Canada's Cyber Changemakers

The Benefits of the ELCI Program

Further Skill Enhancement

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© Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst