About Leadership Development
The Leadership Development team exists to strengthen the capacity of Salvation Army leaders to serve with purpose, integrity and impact. We design learning experiences that align with our mission to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.
We serve officers, employees and ministry leaders across the Canada and Bermuda Territory—supporting leadership at every level, from new supervisors to executive decision-makers. Our programs equip individuals to grow in confidence, capability and character, while grounding leadership in the spiritual and missional values of The Salvation Army.
What We Do
The Leadership Development department offers many opportunities for professional development and education to those with a desire to excel in their leadership and need somewhere to cultivate their skills.
Our programs are designed to seamlessly integrate with your development. Our continuous learning approach will provide training that focuses on the skills most important to you and your ministry work. We look forward to assisting you with your leadership goals.
We also facilitate workshops, leadership cafés, team retreats and offer customized support based on local ministry needs.
Our Approach
We align our programs with The Salvation Army’s Global Strategic Framework. We strive to equip leaders with the kind of solid, foundational and holistic tools to advance our mission effectively.
We ground our approach in the LEADS in a caring environment Capability Framework, which defines what effective leadership looks like in our context. Each program is intentionally designed to develop leadership capacity across the five LEADS domains—ensuring our leaders are equipped to lead self, engage others, achieve results, develop coalitions and transform systems.
By developing leaders who are mission-driven, self-aware and equipped to navigate complex challenges, we aim to strengthen the health and impact of Salvation Army ministries across the territory.
Meet the Team
Our team brings diverse experience from frontline ministry, education, organizational leadership and public service—united by a shared commitment to developing capable and compassionate leaders.
Paul Carew, M.Ed., B.Sc. | Territorial Leadership Development Secretary
Paul leads Leadership Development for The Salvation Army, bringing over 30 years of experience in public education, including roles as a Principal, Superintendent and senior system leader in Ontario. Since joining TSA in 2017, he has helped shape territory-wide leadership strategy and serves as an internal LEADS Canada facilitator, sharing expertise across divisions. Paul is also an active Salvationist, with a long history of local and territorial ministry involvement, including roles on the ministry board and in corps leadership.
Scott Yake, M.Ed. | Learning and Development Strategiest
Scott is the Learning and Development Strategist for The Salvation Army, bringing 31 years of experience in Ontario’s public education system. He advanced from teacher to Associate Director in the province’s third-largest school board, leading across areas such as curriculum, special education, HR and leadership development. He also served as a Special Advisor to the Ministry of Education, contributing to pandemic response and labour negotiations. Since 2021, Scott has helped design inclusive, practice-focused training to support leadership across the Army’s ministries.
Phil Wakeford, M.A., B.Ed. | Manager, Learning Design
Phil brings 10 years of frontline program experience at The Salvation Army to his role on the Leadership Development Team, giving him a strong understanding of how ministry happens on the ground and the challenges frontline leaders face. He holds a certified LEADS Specialist designation and is a skilled facilitator in both online and in-person settings. Phil also brings strong technical expertise and a background in adult education. He is an active Salvationist with a deep commitment to leadership growth across the territory.
Samantha Parker | Administrative Coordinator
Samantha is the Administrative Coordinator for the Leadership Development Team, bringing over 25 years of experience in a variety of administrative roles at territorial headquarters. Her work has included time in the Officer Personnel Department and, more recently, in leadership development. Known for her event planning skills and attention to detail, Sam is committed to delivering high-quality service while ensuring efficient, resource-conscious operations. Her knowledge of Army systems and steady presence make her an essential support to the team’s mission across the territory.
