AFHTO’s Leadership Accelerator Program
Welcome to AFHTO’s Leadership Accelerator Program, where we‘re investing in our executive leaders in team-based primary care.
We’re excited to launch the call for the first cohort of our Leadership Accelerator Program!
What’s the concept? Partnership with Human Leadership Humain
Leadership in primary care has never been more important, or complex. Executive leaders are being asked to guide organizational change, build effective teams, navigate evolving relationships, strengthen partnerships and deliver results in an increasingly demanding environment.
Working with Human Leadership Humain, Alexandre Messager, we’ve curated a two-year, cohort-based leadership development program focused for executive directors, CEOs, and emerging leaders across AFHTO member organizations. The program develops well-rounded leadership capabilities, from building trust, psychological safety and inclusive teams to navigating conflict, influencing change, strengthening performance and coaching others.
- Curious about the curriculum?
- Looking for a briefing note or information to share with your board and/or colleagues?
WHO IS THE PROGRAM FOR?
The AFHTO Leadership Accelerator is designed for executive directors, CEOs and emerging senior leaders in team-based primary care who are ready to invest in their growth and strengthen the organizations they lead.
You may be a good fit if you:
Are navigating organizational growth, transformation or increasing complexity.
Want to strengthen your ability to lead people, build trust, navigate difficult conversations and influence change.
Are open to reflecting on your own leadership approaches and learning from colleagues with different perspectives.
Can commit to active participation, peer collaboration and applying your learning within your organization.
You don’t need to have all the answers. The program is designed for leaders who are ready to grow, including those navigating significant organizational challenges.
Organizational Support Matters
Getting the most out of this experience requires an organizational commitment, too. Your board or senior leadership team should be prepared to support your participation, protect the time needed to engage fully and create opportunities to apply and share your learning.
What will you bring back?
Practical capabilities in strategic leadership, team effectiveness, conflict management, communication, influence, performance and coaching. Through a collaborative capstone project, you’ll also work with peers to address a real-world challenge relevant to AFHTO members.
UNDERSTANDING THE COST OF INVESTMENT
COHORT FORMAT AND EXPERIENCE
LEARN TOGETHER, LEAD TOGETHER
The Leadership Accelerator is designed around connection, collaboration and learning alongside peers who understand the realities of leading team-based primary care.
Participants will build lasting relationships with executive and emerging leaders from across Ontario, creating space to share experiences, challenge perspectives and learn from one another.
DETAILS:
- Eight facilitated learning sessions over two years, with a mix of one- and two-day sessions
- Small cohorts of 10–15 participants to support meaningful connection, open dialogue and deeper learning
- Two cohorts launching in 2027: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027
- In-person learning experience in Toronto at AFHTO's main office, with hybrid participation options currently being explored
TIME COMMITMENT
MAKE ROOM FOR GROWTH
Participants will work together to tackle a real-world challenge relevant to AFHTO members, develop and implement solutions, measure impact and present their work at the AFHTO annual conference.
Leaders should expect to spend 20-30 hours per quarter, preparation and reflection, between-sessions coaching, and contributing to the collaborative project.
Details:
- 13 days of facilitated learning across eight in-person sessions
- Travel and accommodations, where required, to attend sessions
- Preparation, reflection and between-session learning activities
- Ongoing collaboration with cohort peers on a group capstone project
COST OF THE PROGRAM
Invest in Your Leadership
While there are upfront costs to participate in the program, investing in leadership development also means investing in the future of team-based primary care.
AFHTO also offers bursaries up to $1000 for 15 member organizations to help offset the cost of participation. Please complete the bursary section of the application if required.
DETAILS:
- The program costs $5,000 per participant, plus applicable taxes, for the full two-year program.
- Budget separately for travel and accommodations, where required, and the cost of releasing a leader from their day-to-day responsibilities
- AFHTO Bursaries will be awarded based on demonstrated need, with one bursary ($1000) available per organization.
APPLICATION AND NEXT STEPS
what is required
Before applying, we encourage prospective participants to discuss the opportunity with their organization. If you’re seeking approval from your Board of Directors, we’ve prepared a Board Briefing and Resources package to help you make the case for participation. Please email info@afhto.ca to request the Board Briefing Note to help you make the case for participation and seek organizational approval.
Details:
- Submit your application by December 2, 2026, for the Spring 2027 cohort (applications remain open for Fall 2027 cohort)
- Application decisions will be made and communicated by December 16, 2026
- Upon receipt of your acceptance, confirm your participation by January 13, 2026
- The first session in the Spring 2027 cohort will take place in February/March 2027
How Do I apply?
If you are seeking approval from your Board of Directors to apply, we’ve prepared a Board Briefing and Resources you can use in your request. Please reach out to info@afhto.ca for more information.
Please submit your application by December 2, 2026 to be considered for the Spring 2027 cohort.
Need Help?
If you have questions about eligibility, program fees, or the application process, review the FAQ or contact us at info@afhto.ca.
Who would be a good candidate for this opportunity?
You may be particularly well suited to this opportunity if…
- You are an executive director, CEO or emerging senior leader in a team-based primary care organization.
- You are navigating organizational growth, transformation or increasing complexity.
- You want to strengthen how you lead people, manage difficult conversations, build trust and influence change.
- You are open to examining your own leadership assumptions, behaviours and areas for growth.
- You value learning from colleagues with different experiences and perspectives.
- You are prepared to contribute to a trusted learning community through active participation, honest reflection and shared problem-solving.
- You can commit to applying your learning within your organization rather than simply attending sessions.
Do I need to discuss my application with my Board of Directors?
We encourage applicants to discuss their participation with their Board of Directors. Leaders and their organizations will be best positioned to benefit if the board or senior leadership team:
- Sees executive leadership development as an investment in organizational capacity, not simply an individual training expense.
- Supports your participation in the full two-year program.
- Is prepared to protect learning time and establish appropriate operational coverage during absences.
- Recognizes that new approaches to leadership may lead to changes in practices, relationships and ways of working.
- Is willing to create space for participants to apply new knowledge and share insights with colleagues.
- Has identified leadership or organizational development priorities that could benefit from this investment.
A supportive board does not need to be perfectly aligned on every issue. What matters is a shared commitment to building stronger leadership and organizational effectiveness.
What will I bring back to my organization?
Participants will have opportunities to strengthen practical capabilities in:
- Strategic and adaptive leadership: Leading through uncertainty, complexity and change.
- Team effectiveness: Strengthening trust, psychological safety and organizational culture.
- Conflict and communication: Navigating difficult conversations and competing perspectives.
- Influence and collaboration: Building alignment across teams, boards and organizational boundaries.
- Performance and accountability: Supporting people and organizational performance through coaching and feedback.
- Leadership development: Building the capacity of others and strengthening succession readiness.
Through an applied cohort project, participants will also have an opportunity to translate learning into action on challenges relevant to AFHTO member organizations.
What questions should I be discussing with others before applying?
We encourage prospective participants to discuss the following with their board chair, supervisor or appropriate organizational sponsor:
- What leadership challenges or opportunities make this the right time to invest?
- What capabilities do we hope to strengthen through participation?
- How will we protect the time required to participate meaningfully?
- What organizational practices or priorities could benefit from applying this learning?
- How will we know whether this investment has made a difference?
What would set me up for success in the program?
Successful participation will require more than attendance. It will involve curiosity, reflection, peer collaboration and a willingness to try different approaches.
In return, participating organizations will be supporting the development of stronger leaders, more resilient teams and a connected community of executives helping shape the future of team-based primary care in Ontario.
What key deadlines do I need to be aware of?
You should be aware of the following dates and deadlines:
- Applications Release: November 4, 2026
- Applications Due: December 2, 2026 (Spring 2027 Cohort)
- Spring 2027 Cohort Decisions Shared: December 16, 2026
- Acceptance Confirmation Due By: January 13, 2027
- First Session: Feb/March 2027