Setting Sail for Success: Strategic Leadership Program
Chart your course. Strengthen your leadership. Build lasting connections.
The Setting Sail for Success: Strategic Leadership Program is a unique opportunity for women business owners to elevate their leadership skills, strengthen resilience, and connect with a powerful network of peers.
Over the course of 16 weeks (30 hours total), participants will take part in highly interactive training sessions, guided reflection, and peer mentoring. This program is a hands-on learning experience designed to create real transformation in both your business and your life. Participants can expect engaging discussions, practical exercises, peer-to-peer collaboration, and take-home tools that can immediately be applied to your business.
Facilitated and designed by Nathalie Arsenault of Align Solutions, and Michelle MacDonald of AOR 360, this program has been specifically designed for women in business.
Thanks to funding support from the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat, this program is available to PEIBWA members and future members at a significantly subsidized rate, making it a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high-quality training at exceptional value.
Applications are now open for this 16-week interactive training program - to ensure an engaging high-quality experience, spaces are limited, apply today.
Program Benefits
By joining this program, participants will:
- Increase Leadership Skills: Develop tools to lead authentically, communicate effectively, and inspire others.
- Build Resilience: Gain strategies to navigate challenges, turn setbacks into growth opportunities, and prevent burnout.
- Expand Your Network: Build lasting relationships with like-minded business owners through a peer mentoring network and create long-term connections.
- Apply Learning to Real Life: Take home strategies, worksheets, and tools you can immediately integrate into your business to improve decision-making, planning, and leadership effectiveness.
Participants can expect to complete the program with:
- Greater confidence in themselves as leaders and as business owners.
- A stronger, clearer vision for their business and the practical strategies to achieve it.
- Renewed energy and resilience to prevent burnout and sustain long-term success.
- A supportive peer network that continues long after the program ends.
Program Expectations
To ensure participants receive the maximum benefit from the Setting Sail for Success: Strategic Leadership Program, full participant attendance and active engagement is required. Participants are expected to contribute to discussions, collaborate with peers, and demonstrate openness to learning. As this program is highly interactive and addresses a range of valuable topics, PEIBWA emphasizes the importance of consistent participation and a commitment to the program’s objectives.
Meet the Facilitators
Michelle MacDonald – AOR 360 Michelle MacDonald has been in leadership roles for forty years, starting with student council in high school. She is an entrepreneur and strategist at heart. She has been Chief of Staff to a federal Cabinet Minister, Executive Director of national and international non-profit organizations, an instructor at Holland College, and a consultant and a small business owner. In all she does, Michelle is passionate about growing leadership capacity. Michelle has been a facilitator and trainer for over 20 years on branding, strategic planning, governance, and leadership. Why Michelle thinks the Setting Sail for Success: Strategic Leadership Program may be for you: “Ever feel like you are surrounded by a sea of options and unsure where to turn? Feel overwhelmed by demands of business, staff, clients, life? This program is a chance to spend some time on you and on your business - exploring your “why” and learning new tools and strategies to help you define success and determine your path forward. Above all, it is a chance to make meaningful connections with other women business owners.” |
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Nathalie Arsenault – Align Solutions Nathalie Arsenault is a bilingual consultant, coach, and facilitator based in Epekwitk/Prince Edward Island. She is the founder of Align Solutions, a consulting and coaching practice that supports purpose-driven organizations and entrepreneurs in aligning their mission, values, and vision with clear strategy and meaningful action. With a background in strategic planning, community development, and entrepreneurship, Nathalie brings a grounded and thoughtful approach to her work — creating spaces for clarity, connection, and renewal. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers reconnect with their purpose so they can grow with intention and impact. Why Nathalie thinks the Setting Sail for Success: Strategic Leadership Program may be for you: “This isn’t another program that gives generic business advice that may or may not apply to your business. It’s about providing you with tools and space for self-reflection, so you can design your own unique path and define success on your own terms. It’s about aligning with what matters most to you, creating the impact you want to have, and feeling more motivated than ever, all while being supported by a community of like-minded business owners.” |  |
Together, Michelle and Nathalie provide a dynamic blend of accountability, strategy, and inspiration. Their expertise ensures that each session is not only practical but also deeply impactful for participants.
Program Structure
The Setting Sail for Success: Strategic Leadership Program combines in person sessions, online workshops, and regular check-ins to ensure both flexibility and high-quality learning opportunities:
- In-Person Sessions (4 total)
Impactful half-day sessions. Topics include: -
- Identifying Your Why & Values
- Recognizing and Mitigating Burnout, Self-Care
- Silencing the Imposter & Fostering a Growth Mindset
- Celebrating & Sharing Successes
- Identifying Your Why & Values
- Online Content Sessions (6 total)
Focused 2-hour workshops led by Michelle and Nathalie on topics such as: -
- Accountable and Authentic Leadership
- Vision and Long-Term Goals
- Failing Well and Turning Missteps into Momentum
- Goal Setting
- Charting the Path to Your Best Possible Leader Self
- Action Taking and Creating Your Strategic Plan
- Bi-Weekly Office Hours (6 total)
1-hour online group check-ins for coaching, questions, and personalized support.
Total Program Hours: 30
Program Dates:This sixteen-week program begins on October 29, 2025 and will conclude on March 4, 2025. Please note that there are four in-person sessions that will take place in Charlottetown, the remainder of the sessions are virtual and will be conducted over Zoom.
Due to the size of the group, participants will be divided into two cohorts that will learn concurrently. The cohorts will come together for in-person sessions, and midway through the program, they will switch facilitators to enhance and broaden their learning experience.
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Program Fees
The Setting Sail for Success: Strategic Leadership Program is offered at a significantly reduced rate thanks to funding support from the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat. This allows PEIBWA to provide high-quality leadership training at a fraction of the market cost.
- Program Value: $1,195
- Participant Fee: $200 (PEIBWA Members) | $300 (Non-Members)
Please note that there is no cost to apply. Program fees are only required from those selected to participate.
Who Should Apply
This program is designed for women business owners who are ready to:
- Invest in themselves and their growth as leaders.
- Build the resiliency required to navigate challenges and change with confidence.
- Fully engage in a participatory learning environment that values collaboration and peer mentorship.
- Apply what they learn directly to their business and life.
If you are ready to take an active role in shaping your leadership journey, this program is for you.
How to Apply
Applications are now open for the Setting Sail for Success: Strategic Leadership Program.
To apply:
- Complete the online application form
- Submit your application by October 22, 2025
- Selected participants will be notified by October 24, 2025
Access the application here
Please note: Space is limited. To ensure meaningful and impactful interactions, only a select number of participants will be admitted to the program. Applications will be reviewed as received.
For any additional questions, please reach out to PEIBWA CEO, Barb Weeks by email: barb@peibwa.org.