Head, Heart, & Humanity: The Real Mission Driving the Leaders of UCC

How does a school with a 200-year history stay on the cutting edge of innovation? In today's episode, we sit down with two senior leaders from Upper Canada College, Brendan Dellandrea (VP, Advancement) and Dr. Julia Kinnear (VP, Learning & Academic Innovation), for a rare and candid conversation about the art and science of building a world-class school.

This isn't just a discussion about one school; it's a deep dive into the universal principles of great educational leadership. Brendan, a UCC alumnus himself, shares his "homecoming" story and how philanthropy and community are essential to fueling academic vision. Julia offers a powerful perspective on curriculum design, student wellbeing, and the profound philosophy that "the mistake doesn't define you."

Together, they unpack how UCC is balancing tradition with forward-thinking programs like the "Systems Transformation Pathway," one of only four such IB pilots in the world. They challenge the stereotypes of high-performance environments and reveal how a culture of care, compassion, and collaboration is the true engine of student success.

For any educator, parent, or leader, this conversation is a masterclass in how to build an institution that develops not just great students, but great human beings.

0:00 - Brendan's Homecoming Story: Returning to UCC as a Leader
2:31 - Julia's Journey from Historian to Academic Innovator
9:01 - The "Head, Heart, and Humanity" Mission Explained
15:05 - The Truth About UCC's Culture: Community Over Competition
17:48 - Where Fundraising Meets the Classroom: A Powerful Partnership
31:34 - Inside the Innovative "Systems Transformation" IB Program
41:13 - The Vision for the New Rogers Building & The Power of Space
51:25 - A Powerful Leadership Lesson: "Fall in Love with the Problem"
57:11 - Redefining Leadership: Why It's Really About Listening
1:01:58 - "The Mistake Doesn't Define You": A Philosophy on Student Growth
1:07:20 - The Final Question: What Should Education Stop & Start Doing?