ABOUT US
Learn about the history, mission, and team behind Canada's premier strategic planning education institution.
OUR STORY
Strategic Planning Academy was founded in 2018 by Dr. Eleanor Blackwood, a distinguished professor of business strategy at the University of Toronto, and Michael Chen, a former Fortune 500 executive. Recognizing a significant gap between academic strategic theory and real-world implementation challenges facing Canadian organizations, they established an institution dedicated to bridging this divide.
What began as a small workshop series with just 15 participants has evolved into Canada's leading strategic planning institution. In 2020, we expanded our faculty to include practitioners from diverse industries, and by 2022, we had established our flagship campus in downtown Toronto with satellite locations in Vancouver and Montreal.
Today, with an eye toward 2026, we are pioneering innovative approaches to strategic education that combine traditional planning methodologies with emerging technologies and sustainable business practices. Our alumni network now includes over 5,000 leaders from across Canada's business, government, and non-profit sectors.
MISSION & VALUES
Our approach to strategic planning education is guided by a clear mission and core values that inform everything we do.
OUR MISSION
To empower Canadian organizations with the strategic capabilities needed to thrive in a complex, rapidly changing world. We achieve this by delivering world-class education that bridges theory and practice, fosters innovative thinking, and prepares leaders to make decisions that create sustainable value for all stakeholders.
OUR VALUES
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Practical Excellence - We blend academic rigor with real-world application, ensuring our methods are both theoretically sound and practically effective.
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Forward-Thinking - We anticipate future trends and challenges, continuously evolving our curriculum to prepare leaders for tomorrow's business landscape.
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Inclusive Leadership - We embrace diverse perspectives and experiences, recognizing that the best strategic decisions emerge from collaborative, inclusive processes.
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Sustainable Impact - We advocate for strategic approaches that create long-term value while responsibly addressing social and environmental challenges.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Meet the experienced professionals who lead our institution and shape our educational approach.
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Since our founding, Strategic Planning Academy has reached significant milestones and received recognition for our contributions to strategic planning education in Canada.
Leaders Trained
We've equipped thousands of Canadian business leaders with advanced strategic planning capabilities across industries and sectors.
Satisfaction Rate
Our programs consistently receive outstanding ratings from participants, with nearly all graduates reporting significant improvements in their strategic capabilities.
Industry Partners
We collaborate with leading Canadian organizations to ensure our curriculum addresses real-world strategic challenges across diverse sectors.
Campus Locations
With facilities in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, we serve organizations across Canada with in-person and hybrid learning experiences.
Industry Awards
Our innovative approach to strategic education has been recognized with multiple awards from business and educational institutions.
Corporate Clients
Organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies trust us for their strategic planning education needs.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Hear directly from leaders who have experienced our strategic planning programs.
The Executive Strategic Leadership program has transformed how our entire healthcare organization approaches planning. We've moved from reactive, short-term thinking to a comprehensive strategic approach that has helped us navigate sector-wide changes while improving patient outcomes. The faculty's expertise in both theory and practical application was invaluable.
Rebecca Thompson
Chief Strategy Officer, Canadian Health Network
As a tech startup founder, I was skeptical about traditional strategic planning approaches. The Digital Transformation Strategy program completely changed my perspective by showing how agile strategic thinking can create competitive advantages. Within six months of implementing what I learned, we secured major funding and doubled our customer base.
Daniel Okafor
CEO, TechFusion Solutions
The Sustainable Strategy Development program provided exactly what our organization needed to transition toward more responsible business practices while maintaining profitability. The faculty's expertise in ESG integration and circular economy principles was exceptional, and the peer network we developed continues to provide valuable support as we implement our strategic initiatives.
Sophia Lavoie
Sustainability Director, EcoVentures Montreal
OUR CAMPUS LIFE
Take a visual journey through our facilities and learning environments where strategic leaders are developed.
READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES?
Join thousands of Canadian leaders who have enhanced their strategic planning skills through our specialized programs.