Workshops for Leaders
Join leaders from across SFU to participate in leadership-related learning and development opportunities. Not only will this enhance your own professional development, and be a chance to connect with colleagues, it will also contribute to a positive learning culture for your team. Please also visit our list of online resources on a number of foundational and transferable skills.
Fall 2025: Please check back as we're regularly updating this website with opportunities.
Fall Workshop Offerings:
Timekeeper and Payroll Training: This workshop provides essential guidance for timekeepers on managing payroll and timesheets effectively. Participants learn how to navigate the payroll calendar, gain HAP access, and set up bi-weekly schedules. It covers entering and adjusting time for hourly, salaried, and temp pool employees, as well as adding new staff to the system. Support contacts and a helpful FAQ section ensure ongoing assistance and clarity. In addition, we will also be spending time on Pay Sync occurring in January 2026. We will cover, what dates the timekeepers need to enter for the first few pays, as well as how pay sync will change timekeeping entries for Salaried employees.
- Hosted by: Michelle Bilalakis, Assistant Manager, Payroll and Megan Van Vliet, Director, HR Operations and Client Service Centre, People, Equity and Inclusion.
- Register here: and .
- Note: Both workshops are the same information offered at different times.
Leader’s Mini-Series
Join us for another Leader’s Mini-Series, some details are included below, with more coming soon. The mini-series provides practical tools and information to support and strengthen our leadership community at SFU. The series has been designed by SFU leaders for SFU leaders and aims to be timely, relevant, and responsive. The series sessions are an opportunity to hear from, discuss with, and stay connected to other leaders.
All virtual sessions run for 1 hour. We encourage you to attend all sessions in the series however, they are designed as stand-alone and can be taken independently.
| Date | Title | Hosts | Summary |
| Tuesday, October 7th from 1-2pm | Christine Palak, Director of Labour and Employee Relations, People, Equity and Inclusion | This session explores managerial practices for foundations of mindful leadership, emphasizing awareness, reflection, values, and presence as key supports for thoughtful leadership. Participants will identify everyday examples, reflect on personal habits, and engage in peer sharing to deepen insight. Participants will conclude with a personalized micro-intention or mindfulness practice to take into their leadership. This session is appropriate for all leaders whether you're a new or seasoned leader. | |
| Tuesday, October 14th from 1-2pm | Michelle Allison, Director, Organization Effectiveness & People Services, People, Equity and Inclusion | This session is designed to support you as leaders in navigating a challenging landscape of budget reductions and operational efficiency. It will encourage you to think creatively and strategically about how your teams work, focusing on what truly matters and exploring new ways of getting things done. You'll also have the opportunity to connect with fellow leaders, share experiences, and lift each other up. This is a chance to build community and remind ourselves that we’re not alone in facing these challenges. | |
| Tuesday, October 21st from 1-2pm | Tanya Behrisch, PhD, Associate Director, SFU Co-operative Education and Liesl Jurock, Acting Program Manager, Co-op | This session departs from standard leadership talks around leading through budget restrictions, focusing instead on ways leaders can cultivate relational spaces for team members to share integral aspects of their lives outside work with each other. This is purely voluntary, with the aim of strengthening community through storytelling and sharing how passion projects nurture us as three-dimensional people. The facilitators will describe how seven staff in their unit shared their passion projects, including personal ventures, creative endeavors and volunteer service, at an event designed to spark appreciation for our colleagues’ multifaceted natures. Against a backdrop of austerity, this imaginative initiative invited rich new conversations and connections to emerge. | |
| Tuesday, October 28th from 1-2pm | Belinda Karsen, Interim Associate Director and Educational Specialist, Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office |
Why It Matters for People Leaders: As a leader, your response to sexualized violence can significantly impact the wellbeing of individuals and the broader organizational climate. This session will empower you to lead with confidence, clarity, and compassion if navigating these sensitive situations. | |
| Tuesday, November 4th from 10-11am* | Skel7áw̓s, Naomi Narcisse, Director Indigenous Initiatives | Some of the values we share in the RESPECT program is the importance of taking care of each other, and being kind to ourselves. Too often, we find ourselves busy nurturing others—at work, at home, and in our communities—leaving little time to pause and care for ourselves. In this mini workshop, we invite you to gift yourself this time to explore holistic tools you can use to check in with yourself. These practices are designed to help you maintain balance, and reconnect with your own well-being—so that you can continue to care for others from a place of strength and sustainability. |
*Please note this workshop time differs from the others in the series.
Need to Cancel your Registration?
Most of our workshops fill up and have waitlists, please cancel your registration with as much notice as possible to open up your space for someone else.
Please follow these steps to cancel your registration with more than 7 days notice:
-Go to your Eventbrite account and find the workshop order:
-Select ‘cancel your order’
Cancellations with less than 7 days notice:
Email pei_learn@sfu.ca to cancel your registration with less than 7 days’ notice. If we don’t hear from you and you don’t attend the workshop, we may need to charge your department to compensate for associated costs. Cancellations within 7 days are not eligible for refunds (when applicable).
Workshop Fees:
Some workshops have a nominal fee of $75 to offset costs to enable us to provide exceptional learning opportunities. The fee is substantially lower than similar workshops offered externally and can be reimbursed through PD funds or departments may choose to cover the fee.