Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that our offices located in Ottawa, are on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial.

The Algonquins are the customary keepers and defenders of the Ottawa River Watershed and its tributaries. We honour their long history of welcoming many Nations to this beautiful territory and uphold and uplift the voices and values of our Host Nation.

We respect and affirm the inherent and Treaty Rights of all Indigenous Peoples across this land.

We recognize the historical oppression of original lands, cultures and peoples in what we now know as Canada and strongly believe that the arts contribute to the journey of healing and decolonization that we all share together.

This acknowledgment only becomes meaningful when combined with accountable relationships and informed actions. This acts only as a first step in honouring the unsurrendered land we operate on.

We continue to honour the people, elders, and Indigenous ancestors of this land.

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Lifting as you Lead

Mentoring Circles (LLMC)

LLMC is a one-of-a-kind program created to make a difference in the Federal Public Service. It is the largest group mentoring program for Government of Canada Public Service Members and Canadian Armed Forces members. It helps participants pursue both personal and professional growth.

Starting in September 2024 LLMC is a 10-week inclusive leadership development program that focuses on immersive learning in a group mentoring setting. The weekly time commitment is 1.5 - 2.5 hours.

LLMC was created in 2021 based on consultations with the people at Materiel Group at National Defence. The consultations at the time were taking place as part of LLMC Founder Samantha Moonsammy’s new role as the Diversity and Inclusion Section Head as she worked on creating the Diversity and Inclusion Action plan for the organization. The conversations she participated in highlighted many things. People wanted to build connections with their colleagues, they wanted to contribute more, and they wanted the chance for promotions. The challenge was they didn’t know where to start. The answer was found right in the Clerk’s Call to Action.

LLMC was built to respond to the Call to Action

No more empty gestures.

“Building a diverse, equitable and inclusive Public Service is both an obligation and an opportunity we all share.

We must advance this objective together, acting both individually and collectively, and recognizing that our progress will rely on amplifying the voices of those within our organizations to help lead the way.”

- Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service, January 22, 2021

Ian Shugart, Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

Founders’ Message

“Thank you” doesn’t feel like enough to describe how happy we are, for you to have made the commitment to join the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles program 4th edition, organized by the Diversity and Inclusion Office, Materiel Group, National Defence, and open to all Federal Public Service members and members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

What began as a simple idea from our consultations has grown into a thriving network, addressing the desire for meaningful networking and professional growth.

There’s Power in People Coming Together

You're now part of a diverse network of inclusive-minded leaders, assigned to a circle—a small, trusted group for goal achievement in a safe space. This circle will facilitate learning from others' experiences and diverse perspectives, expanding your knowledge and tactical skills.

LLMC offers a unique opportunity for sponsorship, especially for deserving equity groups. Sponsorship is an intentional relationship where influential individuals advocate for career advancement and barrier removal.

By actively engaging with your circle, sharing experiences, and fostering connections, you'll unlock personal and professional growth opportunities. This knowledge empowers you to advance in your career.

The Time to Act is Now!

Thank you for answering the Call to Action, committing to creating a psychologically safer workplace for all, especially those from deserving equity groups.

We hope you will feel a real and fundamental shift throughout the program. And together we will celebrate all the hard work you put into this experience. Thank you for showing up for yourself, your family, your organization and the community you’re called to serve.

Going forward, take advantage of all the networking that will take place, meet new LLMC members in GCmessage and on LinkedIn, and lean into the Masterclasses. Choose to stay consistent with that next level version of you. We are rooting for you.

LLMC is a people-powered movement and answers the

Clerk’s Call to Action. Through this lens, the LLMC program provides members with an innovative space and opportunity to actively participate in making our workplaces inclusive and building their leadership skills.

What Graduates Are Saying

The Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles Program is one of a kind and was created to make a difference in the Federal Public Service. It is the largest group mentoring program for Government of Canada and Canadian Armed Forces members. It helps participants pursue both personal and professional growth.

LLMC is a people-powered movement and answers the Clerk’s Call to Action. Through this lens, the LLMC program provides members with an innovative space and opportunity to actively participate in making our workplaces inclusive and building their leadership skills.

There’s power in people coming together.

2024 Program Schedule

LLMC is a 10-week inclusive leadership development program that focuses on immersive learning in a group mentoring setting.

Weekly time commitment is 1.5 - 2.5 hours.

LLMC Discussion Guides

The Circle format offers a confidential and supportive environment for individuals to work towards their goals. A Circle provides a space for members to learn from one another's experiences and perspectives using the Discussion Guides. By participating in the program, you are demonstrating a dedication to personal development and growth. This commitment will enable you to enhance your knowledge and practical skills on a range of topics including:

• Inclusive Leadership
  
• Negotiation
• Mental health and Wellness

The program and Discussion Guides are designed to address, acknowledge, and provide hands-on tools to support participants in overcoming barriers.

LLMC Masterclasses

The Masterclasses are scheduled on alternate weeks from the participants' Circles; they feature five subject matter experts and are designed to complement and enhance the content from the Circles. All sessions are recorded, and a Learning Library is also shared to provide self-learning and reflection.

Masterclass topics include:

• Sponsorship and Career Building
  
• Mastering the Art of Negotiation
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - A non-performative approach
  

Be the Change

If you’re not changing it,

you’re choosing it.

At LLMC you don’t just get the one-on-one mentor/mentee experience.

The mentoring circles format is what makes this program unique.

Past participants tell us they have made life-changing connections.

In traditional mentoring, it is usually a one-way mentoring experience where your mentor gives your advice and helps you navigate your career.

At LLMC everyone is a mentor; including YOU.

In the program you get a team of trustworthy mentors in your circle who are there to help you reach your goals in a safe and brave space.

The Mentoring Circles format is a supportive space that can help members learn from each other's experiences and benefit from new ways of thinking.

There’s Power in People Coming Together

Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles Success Stories. Click their photo to read their story.

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

The Door is Open

Use the form on this page or click the link below.

Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles is an immersive 10-week program dedicated to fostering mentorship, sponsorship and inclusivity within the public service. It is the largest group mentoring program for Government of Canada and Canadian Armed Forces members and provides an innovative space to actively participate in making our workplaces inclusive and building their leadership skills.

LLMC holds the promise of nurturing a new generation of leaders who will champion diversity and equity, not merely as a slogan but as a lived reality. Inclusion is not just about words; it’s about actions, and the LLMC program is taking meaningful steps in the right direction.

The application deadline is: Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Become a Partner

Your partnership will help LLMC continue to grow and reach members of Federal Public Service across Canada. Your support means:

• We can continue to deliver an accessible service to our audience with the help of interpreters
  

• We can continue to host Masterclass teachers that enrich the content of the program
  

• Increasing our outreach and evolving our workplaces
  

• We can elevate the program by creating videos that enhance the overall experience
  

Invite your networks and colleagues to join LLMC

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