Students do not just study leadership at the Laurentian Leadership Centre (LLC); they practise it. They learn in seminar-style classrooms, apply their skills through professional placements, and live alongside peers who sharpen their thinking, strengthen their faith, and help them navigate the transition from university to the public square. Designed for third- and fourth-year students and recent graduates from any major, the program invites emerging Christian leaders to spend a formative semester engaging real-world issues where national decisions are made.
Each semester, a group of Trinity Western students trades the familiar calm of Langley for the energy of Parliament Hill, stepping into one of the most distinctive experiential learning opportunities in Canada. The LLC offers what no other Canadian university program does: direct access to internships in Ottawa across politics, law, business, advocacy, NGOs, and the media paired with upper-level coursework and Christian community living in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Over the years, hundreds of TWU students have walked through the doors of the historic Ottawa mansion and into opportunities that shaped their confidence, character, and calling. Their stories bring the LLC program to life—stories like that of alumni Michael van Hemmen, Sam VanderVeer, Ethan New, and Taylor Kyte whose time at the LLC became a defining chapter in their journeys.
Michael van Hemmen: from TWU to Oxford & global tech
Growing up in rural British Columbia on the outer edge of Vancouver Island, Michael first encountered Trinity Western University through Dr. Blair Whitmarsh, whose family had roots in his hometown. A President’s Scholarship brought him to TWU, where he began in the sciences before discovering an interest in business. Switching majors required an additional semester, which positioned him perfectly for the LLC in fall 2005.
Michael arrived in Ottawa with curiosity and a growing interest in public life. An average week at LLC always included Taco Tuesdays, mornings exploring Canadian political leadership, and afternoons dedicated to his internship with MP James Rajotte, who represented Edmonton-Leduc and served as the Official Opposition critic for industry and finance. He prepared research, drafted briefing notes, met with stakeholders, and learned the rhythm of legislative work. “It was a wonderful learning environment,” he said.
A key relationship in Rajotte’s office shifted his direction. Legislative Assistant Michele Austin encouraged him to volunteer during the 2005–06 federal election campaign, placing him on Stephen Harper’s tour team where he worked as a Sherpa, assisting staff and observing the inner workings of a national campaign. When the election concluded, van Hemmen transitioned to full-time work on Parliament Hill.
He worked for MP Rob Merrifield first as a legislative assistant and later as a policy advisor when Merrifield became Minister of State for Transport. During that time, he contributed to major national files, such as responding to the global financial crisis, overseeing Crown corporations, and investing in Canada’s transportation system. “Those were extremely formative years,” he said.
Over time, Michael felt called back to British Columbia and sought to return to business leadership. After completing an MBA at Oxford University, he held roles in the province’s mining sector. Later, a friend encouraged him to apply to Uber, where he began working in 2015. He has been running Uber’s rideshare business in Canada since 2021 and remains active in his church while raising a family. “The LLC broadened my understanding of Canada,” he said. “It helped launch everything that followed.” His advice: stay intentional, be patient, and keep your focus on people.
Sam VanderVeer: from TWU to national policy and corporate finance
By the time Sam VanderVeer stepped into the LLC in fall 2010, he already had a global lens shaped by an international childhood. Raised in Pakistan until age ten, he returned to Ontario with a growing interest in world affairs. That interest eventually led him to TWU, where he pursued international studies with a focus on history and international relations. He seriously considered a few post-secondary institutions, but it was the Ottawa program that confirmed TWU as the right choice. “The LLC was the tie breaker,” he said.
VanderVeer completed his undergraduate degree in April 2010 and intentionally enrolled in the LLC as his final semester. The timing allowed him to use the LLC as a bridge into the workforce. Ottawa offered structure, community, and opportunity. Morning classes examined Canadian leadership through the lens of Parliament, prime ministers, public servants, and guest speakers. Afternoons immersed students in internships that placed them at the centre of national life.
VanderVeer interned at the Canadian Red Cross in the International Humanitarian Law division, where he worked with a humanitarian law attorney on research and writing projects. “Anytime an opportunity came up, I said yes,” he said. That openness shaped everything that followed.
Through LLC alumni connections and the program’s strong presence in federal politics at the time, VanderVeer earned a role in the Prime Minister’s Office in Stephen Harper's government. He worked for the chief of staff for two years before moving to the Department of Finance, where he helped coordinate the federal budget process.
When his wife completed law school in Ottawa, the couple moved to Toronto. VanderVeer transitioned to Scotiabank, working in the president and CEO’s office, and later completed a business degree at Duke University. He eventually moved into investment banking and then corporate lending. Throughout every stage, he remained close to friends from the LLC cohort. “A big chunk of that group are still some of my closest friends,” he said.
Looking back, he credits the program with widening his understanding of Canada and giving him the practical foundation he needed early in his career. “It is a real gem,” he said. “There is nothing else like it.” His advice: stay open to opportunities and take the experience seriously.
Taylor Kyte: building political acumen & a career in public affairs
When Taylor Kyte arrived at the LLC in fall 2023, she carried a strong interest in politics but was not yet sure where that interest would lead. She graduated with her BBA in marketing and pre-law specialization the semester after attending the LLC. She stepped into Ottawa ready to learn, and the program became a turning point.
Kyte interned with Member of Parliament Rachel Thomas, who represents Lethbridge, Alberta. Thomas is a well-known leader in her party and helps lead the opposition’s work on Canadian heritage issues. The internship pushed Kyte to learn fast. She researched topics before meetings, assisted with constituency correspondence, helped write questions for question period, and supported social media and other communications. The pace was intense, but it helped her grow. “I learned how to produce high quality work and how to communicate effectively,” she said. Thomas’ commitment to excellence taught her how to hold herself to a higher standard and communicate more effectively.
The semester offered more than professional development. Living in a household of students from different universities introduced Kyte to a range of political perspectives. Major world events unfolded during her term in Ottawa, which led to meaningful discussions about leadership, public responsibility, and the importance of critical thinking. “I loved learning from people who saw the world differently while still respecting their convictions,” she said.
The office offered her a job following graduation, which became the first step in a career she had not envisioned before arriving at the LLC. That opportunity eventually led her to her current work at Global Public Affairs, where she supports clients across energy, post-secondary, non-profit, and creative sectors. She now uses the skills developed in Ottawa every day. “If it was not for the LLC, I would not have known this field even existed,” she said.
Kyte encourages students to take the leap. The courses sharpened her understanding of public policy. Networking events introduced her to leaders across sectors. She met lifelong friends and still returns to Ottawa for work, often reconnecting with people she met through the program. Her advice is simple. Take the risk, build meaningful connections, and see the semester as an investment in your future. “You never know who you will meet or what opportunity will open because of three months in Ottawa,” she said.
Ethan New: a clear pathway from the LLC to corporate law in Toronto & New York
Nearly two decades after van Hemmen and VanderVeer, Ethan New arrived at the LLC with the same sense of ambition but in a very different Canada. It was winter 2023, and he had completed three years at TWU studying business and political science. He knew he wanted to pursue law, and the Ottawa semester offered the kind of network and learning environment that could set a young professional apart. “That is why you go to Trinity,” he said. “You want to be a professional, but you want to be a Christian professional.”
New heard about the LLC even before attending TWU. Encouragement from political science professor and former director Dr. Janet Buckingham shaped his decision to apply. Her reference became one of the first doors the program opened. Once in Ottawa, New joined a 12-student cohort and lived in the historic mansion that has housed decades of interns. Weekly rhythms created space for faith, reflection, and friendship. “People cared about you and wanted you to grow,” he said.
His internship became the turning point. New worked for MP Philip Lawrence of Northumberland Peterborough South, where he learned the core skills of a professional office, including correspondence management, policy research, and day-to-day operations. “The centre prepared me for how to talk to people, how to collaborate, and how to manage tasks,” he said. Lawrence later provided a reference that contributed to New’s successful admission to Osgoode Hall Law School.
Beyond the office, Ottawa surprised New with its sense of community. He met alumni at question period, social events, and multi-party staff gatherings. He connected with fellow staffers and with peers who later entered banking, advocacy, and government relations. “It is a small world,” he said. “People always come back into your life.”
New completed a work placement in Calgary this past summer. He is preparing for an upcoming internship in New York City after his second year of law school and continues to recognize the impact of his LLC semester. “It developed my career in ways I could not have predicted,” he said. “I am really grateful for it.” In the end, he encourages students to say yes more often, to trust God and the process, and to set clear goals for the life they want to build.
A legacy of leadership that continues to shape Canada
The stories of van Hemmen, VanderVeer, Kyte, and New reveal something remarkable about the Laurentian Leadership Centre. Across different decades, different callings, and different seasons of Canada’s political and economic landscape, the program has consistently formed graduates who step forward with clarity, courage, and conviction. Whether serving on Parliament Hill, shaping national policy, practising public affairs, leading in global finance, or preparing for careers in law, each alumnus and alumna carries the same imprint of community, mentorship, intellectual rigour, and purposeful faith.
Their paths show that the LLC is more than a semester in Ottawa. It is a launch pad for lives that influence cities, industries, and institutions. It is a place where ambition is sharpened, calling is refined, and young leaders learn to serve with excellence and humility. And for students wondering where their gifts might take them, the stories of these alumni offer a simple invitation. Step forward, say yes, and trust what God can do with a single semester lived with intention.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. TWU has its main campus in Langley, B.C. and campus sites in Richmond, B.C. and Ottawa, Ont. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact media@twu.ca.