Leadership Lab and Brookfield Institute to merge

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is pleased to announce the forthcoming integration of the Leadership Lab and Brookfield Institute, with Karim Bardeesy named as the new executive director.

With a shared mission to put leading policy research into action, and develop new leaders and solutions to help Canada thrive in a digital society, this new, integrated policy and leadership institute will be dedicated to advancing an inclusive and innovative economy and democracy in Canada, across three preliminary areas of specialization:

• Innovation Economy: driving a more inclusive and sustainable prosperity in Canada through innovation, including how to responsibly adopt and govern new technologies
• Lifelong Learning: ensuring that our education and workplace training systems are equitably preparing Canadians as future-ready workers and citizens
• Thriving Democracy: developing new and better leaders engaged in civic challenges and safeguarding our democratic systems from new threats

A new name for the organization is expected in the coming months. Until then, Bardeesy, who is also executive director of the Leadership Lab, will lead each institute in the role of executive director, reporting to Glenn Craney, the chief strategy officer.

“As one institute, we will continue to be a trusted partner of public purpose institutions, providing timely and actionable advice, and well-trained change-makers — building on the legacies of the Brookfield Institute and the Leadership Lab,” said Bardeesy.

Sean Mullin, the Brookfield Institute’s founding executive director, is moving on to his next chapter after eight years of service to the university and the Brookfield Institute. Under his leadership, the Brookfield Institute grew into Canada’s leading authority on the innovation economy.

“Sean is an authoritative voice in public policy in Canada, and built a legacy of high quality, relevant research to drive the agenda around inclusive growth in Canada. I’m honoured to have the chance to build on his legacy,” said Bardeesy.

For more information, please visit the Leadership Lab (external link)  and Brookfield Institute (external link)  websites for updates, and/or sign up to the Brookfield Institute (external link)  and / or Leadership Lab newsletters (external link)  to stay in the loop on the latest research, events and programs.