Leading Change
Leading Change is a Canadian national non-profit, founded in 2003 and part of the Profoundry collective, that develops emerging sustainability leaders ages 19-35 through an annual Fellowship, Summit, and Forum programming supported by corporate sponsorships and government grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Leading Change does
Leading Change is a Canadian national non-profit organization, founded in 2003, that develops emerging sustainability leaders between the ages of 19 and 35. Operating under the legal entity 163904 Canada Inc. from offices in Ontario (Toronto) and Montreal, the organization is a member of the Profoundry collective alongside Delphi Group, GLOBE Series, CBSR, and the CBSR Education Foundation, which together provide shared operational, administrative, and event-planning services.
The organization's core offering consists of three interconnected programs: the Leading Change Fellowship, an application-based annual cohort providing leadership development and skills training; the Leading Change Summit, an annual in-person flagship event convening 100-150 young professionals (held at Sheraton Centre Toronto in 2025 and scheduled for Toronto Botanical Gardens in 2026 as the flagship of the Toronto Climate Week Youth Track); and Forum / LEADINGxCHANGE events integrated with GLOBE Series programming. Supporting these is the Change Makers Hub, a blog and resource platform. The organization operates with no proprietary technology and is staffed primarily by volunteers alongside a small team of nine.
Leading Change's revenue model is non-commercial and rests on three streams: corporate and organizational sponsorships (including Air Canada, Wawanesa Insurance, Coast Capital, Co-operators, ABB Canada, and Natural Resources Canada), individual donations, and highly subsidized event registration fees (for example, Summit 2026 at $50 CAD). Government of Canada grants also support specific initiatives such as the Climate and Sport / Save Pond Hockey program. The go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, targeting Canadian emerging sustainability professionals through annual application cycles with proportional provincial and territorial representation, while offering sponsors access to a curated pipeline of next-generation sustainability talent.
Leading Change firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Leading Change
- Legal name
- 163904 Canada Inc.
- Website
- https://leadingchangecanada.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Leading Change is a Canadian national non-profit, founded in 2003 and part of the Profoundry collective, that develops emerging sustainability leaders ages 19-35 through an annual Fellowship, Summit, and Forum programming supported by corporate sponsorships and government grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Leading Change industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Sustainability Leadership Development
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF), Change Management & Transformation Leadership (EDABAAAD)
Keywords
Where Leading Change is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Leading Change business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Sponsorships: Corporate and organizational sponsors support Leading Change programs in exchange for talent scouting, brand visibility, and access to young sustainability leader networks. Work primarily organized by volunteers, so sponsor contributions go directly to program costs.
- Donations: Individual donations towards supporting young leaders and sustainability programming. Donation link provided on supporters page.
- Event Registration Fees: Highly subsidized registration fees for young professionals to attend Leading Change Forum and Capital events, set at accessible levels with financial support available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Standard delegate registration for Leading Change events |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Financial support grants |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Leading Change product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Leading Change delivers youth sustainability leadership development through three interconnected programs: the Leading Change Fellowship (an application-based cohort program), the annual Leading Change Summit (a flagship event convening up to 150 young professionals ages 19-35), and Forum/LEADINGxCHANGE events (face-to-face networking integrated with GLOBE Series). Programs focus on skill-building, peer and mentor networking, and equipping emerging professionals to drive environmental and social change. The Change Makers Hub serves as a supporting content and resource platform.
Product overview
Leading Change is a national non-profit organization that operates as a single unified offering centered on youth sustainability leadership development. The organization delivers its mission through three interconnected programs: the Leading Change Fellowship (an application-based year-long leadership development program), the Leading Change Summit (an annual flagship in-person event), and the Forum/LEADINGxCHANGE events (regional face-to-face networking opportunities). The Change Makers Hub serves as the content and resource platform supporting these programs. All offerings are designed for emerging professionals aged 19-35 and focus on accelerating action toward a sustainable, prosperous, and socially just future.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Leading Change Fellowship Flagship application-based leadership development program for emerging professionals aged 19-35 providing skill-building, expert learning, and community networking to accelerate positive environmental and social change. Delivered as an annual cohort experience.
- Leading Change Summit Annual signature in-person event convening up to 150 of Canada's young sustainability professionals (ages 19-35) to explore and address critical sustainability challenges through workshops, keynotes, collaboration, and networking.
- Leading Change Forum / LEADINGxCHANGE Face-to-face learning and networking events for sustainability leaders aged 19-35, typically integrated with GLOBE Series events, providing additional touch points for connecting with senior sustainability professionals beyond the annual Summit.
- Change Makers Hub Blog and resource hub featuring articles, videos, and thought leadership content on sustainability topics including climate action, ocean conservation, circular economy, Indigenous equity, and cleantech entrepreneurship.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100-150 young leaders empowered per annual summit to lead change
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Leading Change
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Leading Change technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Leading Change partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core, flagship and major.
- ABB CanadastrategicABB Canada participated in Leading Change interview on innovation and technology for sustainable future. ABB makes space for young leaders to challenge status quo and drive positive change.
- Academy for Sustainable Innovation (ASI)strategicASI participated in joint interview hosted by Leading Change exploring future of innovation and opportunities for young leaders to leverage technology for sustainability.
- ProfoundrycoreProfoundry is the collective umbrella organization that includes Delphi, GLOBE Series, CBSR, CBSR Education Foundation, and Leading Change. All operate under shared vision of sustainable, prosperous, and socially just future.
- Delphi GroupcoreThe Delphi Group is a founding member of Profoundry collective alongside Leading Change. Provides strategic alignment and shared services including operations management and administrative support.
- GLOBE SeriescoreGLOBE Series organizes sustainability events that integrate with Leading Change Forum and LEADINGxCHANGE events. Leading Change delegates receive access to GLOBE programming, hackathons, and innovation challenges.
- Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR)coreCBSR is part of Profoundry collective, working alongside Leading Change to provide services and platforms that empower business, government, and youth to improve performance while accelerating the clean economy.
- Ocean WisestrategicPartnership on youth leadership in ocean conservation; Leading Change features Ocean Wise in partner spotlights and roundtables; Nicole Straughan, VP Youth & Education at Ocean Wise, provides expertise on youth pathways in conservation sector.
- Clean FoundationstrategicAtlantic Canada partner for Save Pond Hockey events. Clean Foundation supports climate and sport initiative to raise awareness of climate change impacts and educate Canadians on steps to address them.
- Air CanadaflagshipExclusive Air Travel Sponsor for Leading Change Summit 2025. Partnership includes collaboration on sustainable tourism track programming featuring Air Canada's natural resources and biodiversity initiatives.
- Wawanesa InsuranceflagshipDEI Sponsor for Summit 2025. Mitch McEwen, Wawanesa's Director of Sustainability, serves on the Leading Change Board of Directors, strengthening organizational partnership.
- Coast CapitalmajorSponsor for Summit 2025 as part of DEI sponsorship. Canadian credit union focused on sustainability and community impact.
- Co-operatorsmajorSponsor for Summit 2025. Canadian insurance and financial services company with sustainability commitments.
- Natural Resources CanadacoreGovernment partner for Summit 2025, collaborating on Science & Technology Internship Program - Green Jobs for Pathways to Purpose session. Parliamentary Secretary Julie Dabrusin provided opening address.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Leading Change competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TakingITGlobal: Canadian-founded global youth engagement platform connecting young leaders to social action opportunities. Comparable in convening young changemakers and providing digital community infrastructure.
- Ocean Wise: Canadian ocean conservation nonprofit with significant youth programming (Ocean Bridge, Ocean Pathways engaging 1,300+ young Canadians). An existing strategic partner of Leading Change with overlapping youth sustainability leadership focus.
- Youth Climate Lab: Canadian organization building capacity and leadership among young people working on climate solutions. Directly comparable in target demographic (youth climate leaders), geographic focus (Canada), and convening/leadership development model.
- Green Communities Canada: Umbrella organization for environmental nonprofits across Canada running youth-focused programs. Comparable in Canadian non-profit operating model and youth-oriented sustainability programming delivery.
- Evergreen: Canadian nonprofit focused on urban sustainability, school ground greening, and youth climate leadership. Comparable in Canadian non-profit model, sustainability focus, and youth leadership development programming.
- Earth Rangers: Canadian nonprofit engaging young people in environmental action through programs, school outreach, and community campaigns. Most directly comparable to Leading Change in mission (youth + environment) and Canadian non-profit operating model.
- Climate Reality Project Canada: Trains and mobilizes climate leaders, with chapters delivering leadership training to emerging professionals. Comparable in climate-leadership training mission, though global rather than exclusively Canadian focus.
Regional players
- Clean Foundation: Atlantic Canada environmental education nonprofit and existing Leading Change partner on Save Pond Hockey events. Comparable in environmental education/youth engagement mission but with primarily regional (Atlantic Canada) geographic reach.
Broad incumbents
- Plan International Canada: Large Canadian chapter of global youth-focused development and rights organization with programming for young leaders. Comparable in youth leadership and empowerment mission but operates across a much broader thematic remit beyond sustainability.
- Royal Canadian Geographical Society (Can Geo Education): Canadian education-focused organization running youth programs including the Geographic Education and Indigenous-led initiatives. Comparable in Canadian non-profit structure, youth programming, and convening leadership events, though with a broader geographic rather than specifically sustainability lens.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Leading Change social profiles
Digital presenceLeading Change financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Leading Change leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Leading Change funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Leading Change M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Leading Change
What does Leading Change do?
Leading Change delivers youth sustainability leadership development through three interconnected programs: the Leading Change Fellowship (an application-based cohort program), the annual Leading Change Summit (a flagship event convening up to 150 young professionals ages 19-35), and Forum/LEADINGxCHANGE events (face-to-face networking integrated with GLOBE Series). Programs focus on skill-building, peer and mentor networking, and equipping emerging professionals to drive environmental and social change. The Change Makers Hub serves as a supporting content and resource platform.
Is Leading Change a public or private company?
Leading Change is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Leading Change founded?
Leading Change was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Leading Change based?
Leading Change is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Leading Change make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are donations and event Registration Fees.
Who are Leading Change's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TakingITGlobal, Ocean Wise, Youth Climate Lab, Green Communities Canada, Evergreen, Earth Rangers and Climate Reality Project Canada. Clean Foundation is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Plan International Canada and Royal Canadian Geographical Society (Can Geo Education).
Does Leading Change have an API?
No public API is recorded for Leading Change.
What industry is Leading Change in?
Leading Change's product category is Youth Sustainability Leadership Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAI, Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAF, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation. Its NAICS code is 8133.