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Rotman-ICD Directors Education

Better your skills. BETTER YOUR BOARD.

Jointly developed by the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Rotman School of Management, the Directors Education program is offered nationally at Canada's top business schools to help board directors clarify their governance mission and fully exercise their leadership potential.

Delivered by Canada's leading corporate governance experts, this highly interactive program incorporates roundtable discussions, real-time case studies and on-point insights from world-renowned faculty, experts in the field of board behaviours and executives in residence.

The goal of the program is to build competencies deemed necessary to be an effective director.

Completion of the DEP is the first step towards obtaining the professional ICD.D designation granted by the Institute of Corporate Directors. This is the only professional designation for Canadian directors recognized both nationally and internationally.

National Business Schools

In addition to the Rotman School, the Directors Education Program is offered nationally at the following business schools:

  • Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta
  • Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University
  • Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary
  • Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University
  • Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary's University
  • Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba
  • Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan
  • Hill/Levene Schools of Business, University of Regina
  • Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa
  • Gardiner Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland
 

The Institute of Corporate Directors handles all program applications.

For more information and to apply visit Directors Education Program on the ICD website. This program is not eligible for any discounts.

Program Details

This four module program connects participants to an extended network of leading directors who bring governance best practices to Canada and the business community. The Directors Education Program is the first step in attaining the ICD.D designation granted by the Institute of Corporate Directors–the professional body that represents the director community in Canada.

Module I: Strategy Oversight and Foresight

Module I provides a comprehensive overview of fundamental board tasks and processes, including director legal duties and responsibilities, overseeing strategic decisions, as well as managing group dynamics and decision-making in the boardroom.

Module II: Financial and Relevant Party Oversight

Module II focuses on the board's responsibility to oversee and monitor financial performance, health and disclosure, as well as how to effectively organize and run audit committees. The module also covers the board's role in overseeing relevant party and shareholder issues, including social media and competitive intelligence.

Module III: Value-Added Boards and Organizations

Module III focuses on the board's role in enhancing human performance, including the appointment, evaluation, compensation and renewal of the executive team. This module also examines how to improve board effectiveness through board selection, director skill development and director evaluation.

Module IV: Risk Management

Module IV covers oversight of risk, including enterprise risk, cybersecurity and reputational risk. Additionally, the board's role in mergers and acquisitions is addressed. The program ends by integrating the learning across the four modules into an interactive and engaging exercise.


Rotman-ICD Directors Education Program (DEP) Diversity Scholarship  

The Rotman-ICD DEP Diversity Scholarship aims to facilitate the development of a diverse representation in boardrooms across all sectors of the Canadian economy by providing access to governance education, to advance and strengthen directors' contributions to Canada's boardrooms and beyond.

This scholarship program allows underrepresented individuals to gain a strong governance education through Canada's leading director education program, the Rotman-ICD Directors Education Program (DEP). Preference is given to those who demonstrate a financial need and belong to one of the following groups: women, Indigenous Peoples, people with visible or invisible/episodic disabilities, members of racialized communities, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ .

Click here for additional information on the scholarship, application, and review process. 

The scholarship program has been made possible by the Institute of Corporate Directors, Rotman School of Management, and its network of partner business schools across Canada.

 


"The DEP program provides a forum for rich debate and spontaneous support. Participants represented a diverse range of industries and backgrounds, which enabled a collaborative environment fueled by disruptive thinking, anchored in courage and conviction. Highly recommended!"


Sham Madhok, FCPA,FCA, CFA
Board Director, Former Big 4 Partner

"I went into the course with some trepidation as someone from the not for profit sector. I finished with a newfound confidence and solid understanding for what it takes to be an active, contributing board member. The DEP program is building a future of strong Canadian board members – thank you!"

Jani Yates
CEO, Ad Standards


 

 

See Additional Testimonials

I highly recommend Rotman's Directors Education Program to anyone who serves on the board of a government agency. The knowledge acquired, the skills learned, and the examination of governance processes makes this program essential for all directors, whether they be private or public. If you want to discover the best practices of good governance, Rotman has the program.

David C. Dingwall, P.C., Q.C. | Toronto DEP 45
Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP

The Rotman/Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) program is an invaluable course – not only for directors who want to ensure they are fully equipped to meet their fiduciary obligations in a rapidly-changing, global business environment, but equally for managers who want a better understanding of what is expected of them by their boards. The first-rate faculty, combined with experiences from executive-level classmates, will provide you with a solid grasp of good corporate governance best practices.

Lisa A. Baiton | Toronto DEP 40
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board

The component parts of good Board Governance can be found and read in many books and articles. The DEP brings to life tools and approaches to help you ‘do’ what you've ‘read.’ The consistent focus on how to be a ‘value add’ Board Member differentiates this program from many others.

F. Lankin | Toronto DEP 32
United Way

A wonderful end to the best learning experience of my life. I am a better board member and CFO for this. Thank you for your work and enthusiasm.

David Sanchez | Toronto DEP 26
McCain Foods Limited

Superior board governance can provide a competitive advantage to Canada's public and private companies. As corporate directors, we work to be fully prepared to meet this challenge. The ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program is a challenging educational curriculum supplemented with hands on case studies which provides participants with the knowledge and skills to deliver excellence in governance practices.

Marlene McGrath | Toronto DEP 20
3M Canada Co.


Jointly developed with:

Institute of Corporate Directors


HPRA Seal This program has been approved for 90 CPD hours under Section A of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Log of the Human Resource Professionals Association (HRPA).

 


Looking for something else? You might also be interested in one of these related programs


Explore more Rotman Executive Programs


More information

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Questions? Contact Maureen Finlan
Program Officer
Tel: 416.593.7741 ext. 248
Email: mfinlan@icd.ca
Website: www.icd.ca

Institute of Corporate Directors
2701-250 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5B 2L7


Dates and fees

4 multi-day modules

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Dates:
For dates, fees, and to apply, 
visit ICD.ca.

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Location:
Multiple cities across Canada
 In-person and virtual offerings available

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Participant profile:
Board directors of public, private or not-for-profit organizations
 In-person and virtual offerings available

  

Visit the ICD for more details

Pour de plus amples détails, visitez L'IAS



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