- Date: November 19th & 26th, 2026
- Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
- Registration deadline: November 17th, 2026
About this Virtual Series
Settlement sector leaders are navigating growing community needs, workforce pressures,evolving funding environments, and ongoing organizational change, all while supporting the well-being and effectiveness of teams on the front lines.
In this environment, leadership requires more than technical expertise. It requires the ability to navigate uncertainty personally while creating the conditions that help others do the same.
This two-part virtual series explores leadership from both perspectives. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, organizational development, and leadership practice, participants will first examine the individual capacity required to lead effectively under pressure, including the mental habits and neurological processes that influence focus, resilience, and decision-making. Building on this foundation, the second session expands outward to explore how leaders shape team experiences through communication, clarity, culture, and
organizational practices during times of change.
Together, these sessions offer practical tools and reflective opportunities to help
settlement leaders lead with greater intention, support workplace well-being, and strengthen their organizations' capacity to navigate ongoing change.
Session 1: Neuroplasticity for Better Leadership
Effective leadership begins with understanding the habits, thought patterns, and responses that shape how we show up, especially in moments of challenge. Neuroscience tells us that the brain is capable of growth and adaptation throughout our lives, offering leaders powerful opportunities to strengthen their effectiveness, resilience, and capacity for change by thinking.about.our.thinking.
In this interactive session, leaders will examine how attention, stress, habits, and emotional regulation influence their decision-making, relationships, and overall leadership impact. Participants will leave with practical approaches for cultivating greater focus, adaptability, and intentional leadership in complex environments.
Participants will explore:
- How the brain responds to overload, ambiguity and rapid change
- Leadership habits that strengthen focus, clarity and emotional regulation
- Practical strategies for leading with intention under pressure
Session 2: Leading Through Uncertainty
While uncertainty is an inevitable part of organizational life, the way leaders respond to it has a significant impact on how teams experience and navigate change. Leadership is not only about responding to external challenges; it is about creating the conditions that help people remain engaged, effective, and resilient when the path forward is not always clear.
In this interactive session, participants will examine how leadership behaviours,
communication practices, and organizational systems can either amplify uncertainty or help teams move through it more confidently effectively. Through discussion, reflection, and practical application, leaders will explore ways to foster trust, strengthen adaptability, create clarity amid ambiguity, and support well-being during periods of transition and transformation.
Participants will explore:
- Decision-making and communication in unpredictable environments
- Organizational patterns that help or hinder resilience and adaptability during change
- Leadership practices that support well-being and performance during periods of transition and transformation
Please note, this virtual series is only for those with direct reports and spots are limited. If you are no longer able to attend, please cancel your registration on Eventbrite so others can join.
About the Facilitator
Aidan Millar, BA, MSc, is Co-Founder and Director of Organizational Development at Ume Talent Consulting, where she partners with leaders, teams, and organizations to build healthier, more effective workplaces. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, team dynamics, organizational development, and cognitive performance, helping people better understand themselves, work more effectively with others, and navigate complexity withgreater confidence, clarity and intention.
Drawing on more than 15 years of experience across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, Aidan is known for creating engaging learning experiences that blend evidence-based practice with practical application. Whether working with executive teams, emerging leaders, or cross-functional groups, she helps translate complex ideas into meaningful conversations, actionable insight, and sustainable change. Her approach is grounded in the belief that leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating the
conditions for human beings to thrive.
Registration deadline: November 17th, 2026
If you have any questions, please contact: mhp@ocasi.org