Discover Your Skills
Contact Information
Jenny Richmond-Bravo
Doctoral Professional Development Coordinator (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies)
p. 519-661-2111 x87848
jrichm6@uwo.ca
Current doctoral students will receive a monthly email with Own Your Future news and events.
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Leadership
PhDs Who Excel in Leadership Apply Character to:
Act with Integrity & Accountability
You navigate complex situations based on ethical principles being mindful of the impact of your decisions. You are accountable for your actions and decisions.
Drive Innovation & Creativity
You take meaningful risks, seek out new challenges, and shake up the dynamics of your field.
Strive for Sustainable Excellence
You recognize the character dimensions that underlie your leadership potential and commit to becoming an authentic and effective leader.
Manage Complex Projects
You propose and deliver viable complex projects while applying project management skills and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Exercise Temperance
You handle high-pressure or challenging situations with composure and good judgement.
Apply EDIDA Practices
You continually examine how your positionality influences your perspectives while deepening your sociocultural understanding to advance principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Accessibility in the workplace and community.
Scholars to Leaders: Alumni Discussion on Careers in Sustainability
December 1, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET; Online/Virtual
Join us for a panel discussion with alumni who have pursued non-academic careers related to sustainability. All panelists hold PhDs from Western and completed the Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability as part of their doctoral education. They will share the details of their career progression from graduation to their current roles, and provide some helpful tips for job searching, applications, networking, and more!
This event is offered in partnership with the Society of Graduate Students Sustainability Committee.
About the panelists:
Dr. Carelle Mang-Benza earned a PhD in Geography in 2022 and is Senior Manager with Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance
Dr. Michael Thorn earned a PhD in Biology in 2019 and is Quantitative Fisheries Ecologist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Dr. Lindsay Crawford in Biology in 2013 and is Landscape Ecologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada
Leader Character for Professional Development: Drive and Transcendence
December 10, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Ivey's Leader Character Framework, developed by Ivey faculty, Mary Crossan, Gerard Seijts, and Jeffrey Gandz, serves as an exploration and activation of 11 character dimensions that work together to promote strong judgment and flourishing. This Own Your Future workshop series explores the connections between character leadership and professional development. This session will focus specifically on the dimensions of Drive and Transcendence.
Following this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe the character dimensions of drive and transcendence while reflecting on how these are activated in personal and professional experience
- Reflect on connections between drive, transcendence, transferable career competencies, and "in-demand" skills
- Utilize tools and resources for strengthening the character dimensions of drive and transcendence
Cultivating Inclusive Leadership through Self-reflection and Action
February 3, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET
In this interactive workshop, offered in partnership with Western's Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, participants will explore the intersections of social identities, positionality, and leadership to deepen their understanding of how these influence personal and professional interactions. Through guided reflection and group discussions, participants will examine their own identities and the impact these have on their roles and decision-making processes.
