NAIT is one of Canada’s largest polytechnics and one of the country’s leading apprenticeship training providers, serving more than 18,000 learners. With an annual operating budget of roughly $400 million, NAIT plays a critical role in supplying the talent Alberta needs in energy, construction, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. Yet over the last decade, provincial funding has steadily declined as a share of the institute’s total revenue, increasing reliance on international student enrollment to sustain operations. Against this backdrop, federal changes to international student visa policies have triggered a precipitous drop in international enrollment projected $50 million structural deficit, requiring NAIT to rethink a funding model that is no longer stable or scalable. In response, NAIT launched Project RISE—a three-year transformation initiative built on four pillars: Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, and Engagement. RISE is not simply a financial response; it is a cultural and operational shift designed to build long-term momentum in an environment defined by volatility. The work is structured around five core workstreams: Program Mix, Domestic Recruitment Enrollment and Retention, International Recruitment Enrollment and Retention, Campus & Student Services, and Staff & Administrative Efficiency. These are supported by three enabling functions: Data & Insights, De-Bottlenecking, and Business Transformation. Together, these create a disciplined system for prioritization, decision-making, evidence generation, process redesign, and culture change. RISE is anchored in transparency, psychological safety, and shared ownership. Staff across the institution are invited into shaping solutions and participating in key decisions, reinforcing NAIT’s commitment to “change with people, not to people.” This session offers a real-time case study in how a large Canadian polytechnic builds momentum during disruption—mobilizing leaders, aligning culture, and making bold decisions early to secure long-term sustainability.