The Cardus Entrepreneurial NextGEN (ENG) Fellowship brings together twelve visionary Christian business leaders each year to discover how faith, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership come alive together—gaining the frameworks, mentorship, and peer community needed to build businesses that can renew society.
ENG invites you to join a growing movement of business leaders committed to excellence, faith, and public renewal.
Applications are being accepted now, and the first cohort begins their journey in September 2026. Will you join us?
Learn More About ENG
Discover how the ENG Fellowship can empower you to build a business that can renew society.
Through thoughtful formation, meaningful community, and transformative conversation, ENG helps you align your enterprise with a deeper purpose — for the good of your business, your community, and the world. ENG is a unique formation program for Christian business leaders who see their work as more than a balance sheet — who believe business is a calling that can renew society. Hosted by Cardus, this fellowship connects entrepreneurial excellence with two millennia of Christian social thought to shape a new generation of public-minded business leaders.
ENG is designed for those who:
- Lead or own businesses and want to pursue excellence and impact beyond profit.
- Believe that business has a public role in shaping communities, culture, and institutions.
- Desire to deepen their understanding of Christian social thinking and apply it to leadership, economics, and society.
- Seek to join a community of peers committed to advancing the common good through enterprise.
A COHORT OF 12 FELLOWS
Each year, a select group of twelve business leaders journeys together through an integrated curriculum of learning, reflection, and practice.
BLENDED FORMAT FOR BUSY LEADERS
- 5 In-Person Gatherings Across Canada, aligned with flagship Cardus and ELO events such as the Cardus Exchange, NextGEN gatherings, and the Shugart Lecture.
- (Oct 7-8, 2026 in Calgary; Nov 17-18, 2026 in Toronto, including attendance at the ELO Forum Toronto; March 2027 TBD in Ottawa; May 6-7, 2027, TBD in Ottawa or Hamilton; June 17-18, 2027 TBD in Ottawa or Hamilton)
- 4 Online Sessions, combining readings, podcasts, and conversations that connect faith, business, and leadership.
- (September 24, 2026; January 14, 2027; February 11, 2027; April 15, 2027)
THEMES INCLUDE:
- Faith, Funds, and Entrepreneurship — vocation, calling, and the biblical vision for business.
- Leadership Essentials — strategy, decision-making, and cultivating healthy organizations.
- Business and Community — understanding the public role of enterprise in civic life.
- Character Matters — embedding moral and institutional character in leadership.
- Hot Topics — addressing the challenges of AI, DEI, and ethical leadership in today’s business world.
- Looking Forward — integrating learning into your business, life, and public influence.
Click here to learn more about our session topics and speakers.
A veteran in the Food Service and Hospitality Industry in Canada, David Smith has worked in executive leadership for Compass Group Canada the last 26 years. Compass Group is one of Canada’s largest employers with over 25,000 associates. During his tenure with Compass, David served as President of the Business, Industry & Sports/Leisure Division, President of the Education Division and most recently as President of the Healthcare Division . David holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a graduate of Hotel and Food Administration at the University Guelph.
As a Registered Nurse, Lois Benham-Smith has a wide variety of experience over 25 years of service in many different settings across Canada. Lois is the founder and Executive Director of Atwell Centre (retired), a Pregnancy Care Centre in Hamilton and Oakville, Ontario. She is passionate about providing information and education to empower women and men in making informed decisions. Seeing individuals create a successful future through mentorship, and encouraging strengths-based approaches to life, is a joy to her.
Fellows are introduced to and formed by the tradition of Christian social thought — a powerful method of reflection that bridges faith and the public square.
Through the fellowship, participants join a growing network of leaders, connected through Cardus events, alumni gatherings, and mentorship opportunities, shaping the future of business and culture in Canada.
Fellows will also be connected with mentors from within the business world who have founded, led, and grown successful companies and will be chosen by a panel of seasoned business leaders.
ENG welcomes applications from Canadian business leaders who demonstrate:
- Entrepreneurial or executive leadership — typically in a senior leadership role or owning a business with a record of responsibility and growth, including $10 million or more in gross revenue. Candidates must be actively looking to grow or scale their organization.
- A Christian commitment, rooted in the ecumenical creeds and active participation in church life.
- A vision for the common good, evident in philanthropy, community service, or civic engagement—including a view of business as serving a public purpose beyond financial returns.
- A desire to learn, grow, and contribute alongside peers from diverse sectors.
PROGRAM INVESTMENT
Participants will cover the cost of the program at market rates, with a fee of $4,995 plus travel — a strategic investment in leadership formation that yields long-term value for you, your business, and society.
Apply Now
Use the form below. The deadline to apply for the first cohort is June 30, 2026.
Applicants will be required to submit the following:
CV / Résumé
The CV should cover the applicant’s career history and, specifically, demonstrate that they meet the technical eligibility requirements. It should include:
- Career and leadership history
- Gross revenue of their business or business unit
Cover Letter
The cover letter should focus on the applicant’s personal and faith dimensions. It should include:
- Faith practice — how their Christian faith shapes their life and work
- Community involvement — church, charitable, or civic participation
- An articulation of the applicant’s plan or vision for their business, demonstrating a growth mindset
- Skills, temperament, and personal values
Short Video (Maximum 5 minutes)
- Applicants will submit a short video (no longer than 5 minutes) that answers one central question, their “why”: Why do they want to be part of the ENG program?