Fifteen years ago, In the Lead was sparked by a simple but powerful realization: what we often see as “wrong” in young people can actually be what’s most “strong” about them. Founder Denise Blair was inspired after hearing about a panel of successful adults sharing their stories, all of whom had experienced childhoods filled with poverty, foster care placements, family dysfunction, and other difficult circumstances. When asked what they were told they needed to change about themselves to transition into adulthood successfully, they gave a list of negative traits. When they were then asked what they felt had contributed to their resilience and success today, it was the same list. “The realization for me, was that if we asked young people to get rid of what was potentially ‘wrong’ we would also be getting rid of what was potentially ‘strong’ about them – that maybe young people already had what they needed to take steps in a new direction and rise above their circumstances, they just needed a chance to see and use their strengths in new ways.”
That vision became In the Lead. But getting it off the ground wasn’t easy. For a while, the idea struggled to gain traction, to the point where Denise questioned whether it was time to let go. Then came a pivotal moment: “I could give up on me and my idea…but I couldn’t give up on the young people out there waiting for an opportunity to shine.” And so, she persisted and in 2010, Cenovus Energy stepped forward as the founding corporate partner, a partnership that continues to this day. Looking back, Denise remembers that “Cenovus Energy saw the potential in the idea of In the Lead. They believed in us. They believed in our young people. It’s been the most outstanding partnership in every way.”
What made Cenovus unique was not only its financial support, but also its willingness to contribute its own employee’s time and energy to the program. In the Lead is rooted in strengths-based leadership principals, and in this way youth and volunteer Coaches learn from each other. While the program was designed to give young people a caring adult in their corner, one of the surprises has been just how much the Coaches themselves grow. Many have shared stories of applying strengths-based thinking to their families and workplaces, creating ripple effects far beyond the program. 15 years ago, “it was new, it was innovative. And we had the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of both young people and Cenovus employees, who volunteer as coaches and share a leadership journey with youth participants.”
The impact on youth has been profound. Supported by Dr. Wayne Hammond’s research on positive psychology, In the Lead has 15 years of data proving that young people increase their ability to draw upon 44 flourishing strengths in proactive ways. But it’s the stories that show the heart of the program: a young person realizing they now have a “friend in one of those downtown buildings,” or another saying their best day ever was being invited to Easter dinner with their Coach’s family. A parent saying that because of In the Lead, the light was back in her daughter’s eyes and she was on her way to becoming the person she was meant to be. Small moments that become life-changing.
From humble beginnings—11 youth, 11 volunteers, one school, and one funder—In the Lead has grown steadily. Within five years, the program was serving over 70 youth annually. By 2016, programming was launched in partnership with other youth serving agencies. In 2018, In the Lead 180 began, supporting youth in the justice system. In 2023, programming expanded to grade 9 students, and in 2024, the program served 300 young people while launching ITL Next Gen for advanced leadership and future-readiness skills. Now in its 15th year, In the Lead has 13 school partners, three community partners, and the largest group of volunteers yet.
As Denise reflects on this milestone, what excites her most is impossible to narrow down: the thousands of young people who deserve to be celebrated, the incredible Coaches who give their time and heart, the lasting partnership with Cenovus Energy, and the promise of another 15 years of impact.
