The Directors College Faculty

Our faculty of professionals, corporate directors and academics covers the full range of governance, accounting, law, regulations and human dynamics. Modules are delivered through a combination of lectures, interactive working sessions and case studies.

Faculty Directory

Mr. Peter Block
Vice President and Practice Lead, Financial Communication, NATIONAL Public Relations

Peter Block has worked in strategic communications and issues management for the last 20 years, providing counsel in a variety of capacities and locations. For the last ten years, he has been with NATIONAL Public Relations where he supports the leaders of organizations as they embark on major projects or undergo transitions. His work has included supporting clients developing multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects, counseling companies involved in high-stakes M&As and those going through executive level changes in personnel.

He has worked in Alberta and Ontario on major energy infrastructure projects. In Alberta, Peter provided counsel to Synenco Energy as it planned to construct an oil sands mining and extraction plant near Fort McMurray and an upgrader near Edmonton. His responsibilities included strategy and planning for all of the company’s stakeholder consultation, including with five First Nations, local landowners, and environmental non-government organizations. His work for Synenco continued through the company’s sale to Total SA of France. Peter also supported a major energy company that was planning on the construction of a 900 MW natural gas power plant in the southwest Greater Toronto Area. Again, the focus of his work was around community consultation and the public affairs impact of the project.

His counsel on M&As has involved some of the largest and most controversial takeovers in Canadian history and includes advice on engaging a number of stakeholders including investors, unions, governments, employees, customers and suppliers.

Peter also spent two years at an affiliated agency as Managing Partner, successfully restructuring the firm.
Prior to embarking on a consulting career, Peter was responsible for corporate communications and investor relations for a development-stage biotechnology company and was an advisor to an Ontario cabinet minister. He is an active member and past president of the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Investor Relations Institute and has been part of the faculty at the Directors College, sponsored by deGroote School of Management and the Conference Board of Canada.

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What our graduates say?

“I thought the entire program was very well developed and comprehensive. You never know what to expect when you sign-up for these programs and this exceeded my expectations and was a great learning opportunity.”

James Scongack, Head of Corporate Affairs, Bruce Power LP

“I found the Chartered Director Program to be an excellent forum to understand how strong governance complements effective management. The ability to create and execute an effective strategy is significantly enhanced by a robust process inclusive of board engagement where the right questions are asked and expected outcomes are identified. I truly enjoyed the setting which fostered a strong level of interaction that was supported by quality presentations and material. As CEO of a Shared Service Organization set to deliver benefits to its members, I see the advantage of having a number of our board members participating in this program.”

Tony Di Emanuele, MBA, C.Dir., President and CEO, Mohawk Shared Services

“I found the Directors College to be an excellent survey of the important matters of which a director must be aware in today’s corporate environment. The quality of the presentation and materials was first-rate and the perspectives gained were invaluable. I would highly recommend the Directors College.”

The Honourable John Manley, P.C., O.C., C.Dir., Former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister

“The changes that impact corporate governance are establishing a pattern of increased accountability for the delivery of long-term value to customers, shareholders, employees and society. Proper corporate governance is now being defined to include knowledge of critical elements such as risk management and the measurement of strategic performance. At the end of the day, each board will be judged on its ability to effectively deliver value, rather than on its structure. The Directors College innovative program fills a unique and important gap in providing knowledge and insight as to how this expectation can be met. CMA Canada is pleased to be a sponsor of this timely initiative.”

Steve Vieweg, C.Dir., Director, Executive Development, I.H. Asper School of Business – University of Manitoba

“As an organization focused on educating corporate secretaries, the ICSA believes in furthering the potential of board members to better contribute to building effective governance structures. Given the key role of directors and corporate secretaries in applying proper boardroom practices, corporations need to ensure that these individuals meet a professional standard. The Directors College curriculum covers all the formal regulatory issues for directors and also addresses the informal skills of building effective and appropriate relationships with senior management. We see significant benefits to this program and ICSA is pleased to endorse it.”

Lynn Beauregard, Executive Director, Chartered Secretaries Canada

“The Directors College has developed a director education program which goes well beyond the fundamentals to address the structures and the behavioural components of principle-based governance. I am proud to be associated with the Directors College and I am honoured to lend my name to the College’s graduate award. ”

Gilbert Bennett, Director and Recently-Retired Chairman of the Board, Canadian Tire Corporation Limited

“Our strategy is to raise the horizons and potential of directors by deepening and enriching their knowledge and application of advanced skills. Increasing the effectiveness of existing directors and broadening the pool of potential directors will contribute to the professionalism of boards across Canada.”

David Beatty, Managing Director, Canadian Coalition for Good Governance