Mindtrust was launched as a membership organization in 2001 to help develop the depth and breadth of leadership capability in the national capital region. In 2005, the Mindtrust Leadership Development Program (MLDP) was developed to focus top students on their leadership journey – where they are now, where they want to be and what they can learn from what others have experienced on their journey. The program was created because the Mindtrust founders were aware that it takes effort and focus to be a great leader and that MLDP could give participants an early boost on their journey. MLDP has been delivered in partnership between Mindtrust, Carleton University and the University of Ottawa annually since 2005 with Algonquin College students participating since 2016. More than 1,100 students have graduated from the program to date. Mindtrust was incorporated as a not for profit corporation in 2016 to create a financially sustainable leadership development organization and was granted charitable status in 2020.