FLOURISH Leadership Program Concludes Inaugural 2025–2026 Cohort in St. John’s
June 2, 2026 – The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) is pleased to highlight the successful completion of the inaugural cohort of the FLOURISH Leadership Program, which concluded last week in St. John’s, Newfoundland, alongside the 2026 CARL Spring Member Meeting.
FLOURISH is a leadership and mentorship program developed by CARL to support mid-career racialized academic librarians in Canada who are seeking purposeful and meaningful pathways to leadership. Delivered over six months through a blend of in-person workshops and virtual sessions, the program fosters sustained learning, reflection, mentorship, and community-building. The 2025–2026 cohort brought together participants from across Canada, beginning with an in-person workshop at the University of Toronto in November 2025, followed by five virtual sessions between December 2025 and April 2026, and culminating in a final in-person gathering in St. John’s in May 2026.
The final workshop in St. John’s provided a particularly meaningful opportunity for participants to reconnect in person, reflect on their leadership journeys, and strengthen the bonds and sense of camaraderie that had developed throughout the program. The cohort’s completion was celebrated during the CARL President’s Reception, where participants were presented with their program certificates and shared reflections on their learning experiences alongside FLOURISH Founder and Facilitator Dr. Maha Kumaran, leadership coach and facilitator Dr. Betty Mutwiri, and cohort members Michael David Miller and K-Lee Fraser.
CARL congratulates all FLOURISH participants on their accomplishments and thanks the facilitators, speakers, and partners who contributed to the success of this inaugural cohort. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of FLOURISH alumni as they advance and shape leadership across Canada’s research library community.
Learn more about the FLOURISH Leadership Program.
