Why a Guided Cohort?
Over 7 sessions, you’ll be working together with the same cohort of peers, while building a network of deep relationships in a small community learning environment! Meet every second week for 90 minutes of virtual (live) class time supplemented by videos and a case study.
You’ll go through all six modules of the program and the exam while working together with other students (a small group) and the Governance Solutions Faculty Team.
The Next Guided Cohort starts on November 21st, 2024.
Get the competence, confidence, and certification you need to be more effective in your boardroom!
Professional Director Certification Program® lets you:
- Reach your full potential as a board member by mastering essential governance skills.
- Add more value in the boardroom and eliminate wasted time.
- Prepare yourself for that board position that you are aiming for.
Professional Designation Information Session
Try a Professional Designation Information Session and experience the Program before the next Cohort starts – with no strings attached! Join our faculty members for an obligation-free chat and get the answers you need.
Please, select one date:
Click here to join us on Friday, September 27th, at 1pm (ET)
Click here to join us on Friday, October 4th, at 1pm (ET)
Click here to join us on Tuesday, October 8th, at 5pm (ET)
Click here to join us on Friday, October 18th, at 1pm (ET)
Click here to join us on Friday, November 1st, at 1pm (ET)
Click here to join us on Friday, November 8th, at 1pm (ET)
Click here to join us on Wednesday, November 13th, at 5pm (ET)
Let us help you with your approval process:
- The Professional Director Institute®
As an Institute, we are able to issue Professional Director® students a Tuition and Enrolment Certificate and Summary form for tax purposes. - Invoicing
Payment options include via Credit Card, online, or as multiple invoices broken up across the duration of the program. - Need further information?
Please contact Rafael Mazotine – Director of Marketing and Customer Care – at mazotine@governancesolutions.ca or +1 519 835 1311 – and ask for a Brochure with all the details related to our Certification Program.
Ideal for team players eager to network, this option is also available for private group bookings. Get in touch
"I chose this program because the core curriculum centres on the depth of knowledge attainment versus the initials/designation. My class cohort was quite diverse in many dimensions and became part of my learning experience.”
Gary M Seveny – Executive Director and Chairman of Apaylo Finance Technology Inc.
"In spite of having been on a board for many years and working with boards, I learned a tremendous amount and particularly from my class cohort whose experience only broadened the learning."
Irena Fedchun – Retired Former Director of Finance & Administration at CHATS. Currently serving on Boards.
A Private Guided Cohort option is also available: Work together with a group of your co-workers, optionally using your own organization's documents, to build governance competence and keep your entire organization at the same governance level.
Module 1: Governance & Strategy
In this module, you’ll learn how to:
- Understand and fulfil the rights, roles and responsibilities of Board, Committees, the CEO and Executive
- Establish a clear sense of purpose, direction and priorities
- Effectively oversee, monitor, and ensure the accomplishment of strategic objectives
- Fulfill the board’s fiduciary duties
Module 2: Governance & Risk
In this module, you’ll learn how to:
- Fulfil the role of the board in risk governance
- Build the bridge between strategy and risk
- Oversee management and control of resources
- Set risk appetites and tolerances and measure the organization’s performance
- Understand the role of the board in ESG
Module 3: Governance & People
In this module, you’ll learn how to:
- Lead through difficult decisions and change
- Ensure board and management function effectively together and make decisions wisely
- Ensure accountability of the Board, Chair, Committees, CEO including succession, selection delegation, evaluation, and compensation
- Understand the impacts of leadership on the results of the organization
- Oversee human resource policy and development
Module 4: Governance & Board Effectiveness
In this module, you’ll learn how to:
- Ensure board effectiveness before, during and after the meeting
- Use in-camera and executive sessions appropriately and in a value-added way
- Build the optimal board and encourage the best mix of board members including board renewal and profiling
- Plan for board evaluations that enhance governance effectiveness
- Build board and deep board orientation and onboarding programs
Module 5: Governance & Resources
In this module, you’ll learn how to:
- Gain confidence that the budget aligns and resources the aspirations of the organization
- Receive accurate, complete and timely financial information at the board level
- Effectively oversee procurement, programs and projects of the organization
- Evaluate and oversee the financial system
- Provide value-added oversight of all corporate resources
Module 6: Governance Culture & Behaviour
In this module, you’ll learn how to:
- Forge healthy boardroom behaviour
- Frame and ask great board-level questions
- Understand the implications and issues of director liability
- Improving director engagement, performance, and boardroom behaviour through integrity
- Recognize the character, courage, competence and calling of board members
Final Examination
At the end of your 7-session guided cohort, you’ll complete a final exam covering material from all six modules. Once you’ve successfully completed the exam, you will be fully certified to use your Professional Director® designation: Pro.Dir.
Course Structure
Seven sessions, staggered across 3 months!
To ensure you get the most out of your guided cohort, you’ll meet for 90 minutes every second Thursday with the same cohort of people in a virtual class led by one of our expert instructors.
Outside class, you’ll watch supplemental videos and prepare for the next week’s case study. You’ll write a quiz at the end of each module, with a final exam at the end of your 7 sessions. After successfully completing all six modules and the final exam, you’ll be a certified Professional Director®.
Your Instructor
Dr, Debra Brown is the founder, President and CEO of Governance Solutions Inc. and has been a leading voice in governance since 1991.
About This Program
Designed to give you the competence and confidence you need to be more effective in your boardroom, The Professional Director Education & Certification Program® is available in two formats: self-paced and guided cohort.