2025 Retreat Mentors-Scholars and Stanfield Conversations

From October 16 to 19, 2025, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation hosted the annual retreat for Mentors-Scholars at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This multi-day gathering brought together members from the 2024 and 2025 cohorts for an experience of dialogue, learning, and networking aimed at fostering the proactive creation of connections among participants.

The Scholars and Mentors were welcomed to Halifax with an opening dinner. Friday was dedicated to roundtable discussions led by the Mentors exploring leadership, ethics, and social responsibility. On Saturday, a plenary session served as summary and wrap up session; a Scholar-led discussion on corporate political engagement complemented the program which was held at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. After a guided tour of the exhibits, participants headed to the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia. The retreat wrapped up Sunday morning with some participants continuing to Dalhousie University’s Stanfield Conversations.

Some Scholars had the honour of participating in a master class on democracy led by Asha Rangappa (Senior Lecturer at Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs and former FBI Special Agent) and Dr. A. Wayne MacKay (Professeur Emeritus at the Dalhousie University - Schulich School of Law).

Several of them had the opportunity to present their research projects and receive valuable feedback from the experts and participants. Many collaborative projects are in planning. 

Congratulations to Philippe Boucher, Pablo Ernesto Gershanik, Gabrielle Leblanc-Huard, Vineetha Nalla, Tyler Paetkau, and Cameron Sparling for their presentations!

The Mentors-Scholars retreat created a space conducive to exchange and collaboration, enabling participants to leave energized and carrying fresh ideas with a shared sense of purpose that will continue to guide their work and amplify their impact in the months ahead.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all Scholars, Mentors, staff, and local partners who made this retreat a success.