Information Technology Services (ITS)
Building a future-ready IT@UofT: Information Security staff complete leadership development program
Published on: August 26, 2025
Now having completed the program, both Kanupriya and Andrew emphasize how valuable it was for understanding institutional priorities and structures — insights they will implement into their work from now on.
“This experience gave me a deeper understanding of the priorities and challenges senior leaders face every day,” says Kanupriya. “It helps me to approach conversations more strategically, anticipate questions and offer context to move projects forward more efficiently.”
For Andrew, the program helped him understand how the university operates and how the faculty and administrative units interact.
“These insights should enable me to work more effectively within that structure and take on more responsibility down the line,” he says. “The ISLDP also highlighted how the relationships between the administration and academic units help shape how we support the community.”
Hosted through the Canadian University Council of CIOs (CUCCIO), the ISLDP equips participants to address leadership, culture and security challenges unique to the Canadian higher education sector. The program is delivered in three phases: leadership in the academy, building a campus culture around IT security, and IT security in the higher education landscape — blending self-study, online discussions and in-person intensives.
Cohort members begin the course with a week of in-person sessions alongside CUCCIO leaders, attending meetings and connecting with CIOs from across Canada. For the remainder of the year, members attend weekly meetings and commit an additional two to three hours of personal time to work on projects, presentations, self-reads, etc.
For both Kanupriya and Andrew, the relationship-building aspect was just as valuable as the professional learning. With 11 other professionals in the course from universities across the country, the opportunity to connect and relate to the diverse group was a bonus.
“The relationships I built during the ISLDP provided a good sounding board for complex issues,” explains Andrew. “It’s a space to share experiences and skills that may not exist within every institution.”
Kanupriya agrees: “This program not only provided me with insight into how leadership roles look in the Canadian higher ed sector, but it also helped me build a network of colleagues within the industry which will no doubt be an asset in my upcoming projects.”
As an ISLDP graduate himself, U of T Acting CISO Deyves Fonseca reflects that the program offers rare access to leadership perspectives that can be transformative for IT professionals working in higher ed: “It pushes you to think beyond your current role and experiences to see the bigger picture that our university operates,” says Deyves. “I have no doubt Kanupriya and Andrew will use these insights to strengthen their work and advance their careers.”
Congratulations to Kanupriya and Andrew for completing the ISLDP program and embodying ITS’ dedication to fostering a culture of learning. Their achievement also reflects IT@UofT’s commitment to cultivating a future-ready community through continuous learning and professional development.
Do you want to participate in the program and receive ISLDP certification? Talk to your manager and director to express interest in being nominated for the program.