Testimonials
The expertise of the dedicated faculty, the diversity and group dynamics of participants, provided for me a stronger understanding of the governance environment. New approaches to governance are discussed and the opportunity to reflect on your response around ethics, reputation and crisis management in the Module 5 Simulation is a value added approach to the learning environment. My leadership skills and courage to engage confidently at any board table has been enhanced by The Directors College.
Christine Williams, C.Dir., H.R.C.C.C., A.C.C., Chartered Director, Centennial College
The Directors College Chartered Director program provided me with the foundational basis for good governance learned through a collegial, interesting and expert manner. Understanding good governance is an important prerequisite for eligibility for boards of directors. Many boards should consider this program as an essential part of their skills matrix.
David Tsubouchi, C.Dir., Board Member, OMERS and Former Ontario Cabinet Minister
Even as an experienced Director, I have found The Directors College Chartered Director program to be a very valuable opportunity to learn from strong faculty and fellow participants in an informed and current atmosphere. The program’s approach to learning provides participants with a thoughtful combination of theoretical principles and practical experience as well as simulations that bring to light the variety of challenges that Directors might encounter in their work.
Mary Anne Chambers, C.Dir., Independent Director and Former Minister, Government of Ontario
I was looking for a program that really focused on effective governance…the latest thinking that’s going to challenge me and allow me to bring more information to my role. The Chartered Director Program, to me, was the most comprehensive and it was the most encompassing.
Philip Twyford, C.Dir., Assistant Deputy Minister, British Columbia Public Service
I chose The Directors College because its residential setting has the benefit of intensive training and an absence of the day-to-day distractions of one-day seminars. I was not disappointed with any of the five weekend modules. The faculty was in all cases excellent and the camaraderie stemming from networking with classmates and faculty in the residential setting allowed for excellent dialogue inside the classroom and during the meals and other events we shared…I would recommend The Directors College highly for anyone who believes they could benefit – my only regret is that I did not take it sooner.
Neil B. Freeman, C.Dir., Principal and CEO, NBF Group Inc.
A strong board needs a combination of industry knowledge and sound judgement. You need people able to challenge one another, but in a productive environment. The Directors College provides skills, perspectives and tactics to drive value as an effective and successful board member. As a graduate of the Chartered Director Program, I found The Directors College an excellent survey of the critical issues and developing trends of today’s corporate environment. I highly recommend The Directors College.
The Honourable John Manley, P.C., O.C., C.Dir., President and Chief Executive, Canadian Council of Chief Executives and Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
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’s 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., Chief Executive Officer, CPA Western School of Business
The knowledge that you gain, the confidence that you gain and the people that you meet make this program a very worthwhile investment in yourself.
Heather Smith, C.Dir., Vice President Operations, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
As an organization focused on educating corporate secretaries, the CSCS 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 CSCS is pleased to endorse it.
Lynn Beauregard, President, Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries
The Directors College has developed a director education program that 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.
Gil Bennett, Director and Former Chair of the Board, Canadian Tire Corporation Limited
I performed a significant amount of research when selecting an option for advanced governance education. All of my research pointed to The Directors College. Being the only university-accredited program was important, but more important, was that the faculty has an amazing balance of academic and professional background. No other program offers such a unique and high-learning environment—the perfect balance of academia and real examples. The experience is demanding and allows you to generate a vast network of peers who are dedicated to raising the bar on governance—truly the gold standard.
Daniel Johnson, B.Comm, C.Dir., Chief Executive Officer, Innovation Credit Union
The Chartered Director program provided me with a solid foundation in governance that built my confidence to comprehensively serve as a director. The exceptional content and educational process enhanced my curiosity, courage and ability to ask the right questions on crown, non-profit and corporate boards.
Victor T. Thomas, C.Dir., H.R.C.C.C., Vice-President, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
As an Audit Committee Chair I have found the Audit Committee Certified program by the Directors College to be an excellent learning in the important matters of which a member of an Audit Committee and particularly the Chair must be aware in today’s governance environment. I would rate the program a 5 out of 5, and I would highly recommended Audit Committee Certified as the “Gold Standard” in Directors Education for Audit Committees, in the private, public or non-profit sectors.
Tom Bursey, C.Dir., A.C.C., H.R.C.C.C., FCA, Vice President and CFO, Council of Canadian Academies
A board I was sitting on had improved their governance significantly through The Directors College education. I was attracted to the teaching methodology and dedicated faculty. I really got to know faculty and students and have maintained these valuable relationships.
Colleen Fleming, C.Dir., H.R.C.C.C., President, C. Fleming & Associates Ltd
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 Service
The Directors College Code of Conduct is not another prescriptive list for what to do or avoid doing. It is rather designed to work back from the needs, expectations, and principles of stakeholders, to help directors engage issues with a clear understanding for getting to resolutions or decisions that are inherently trustworthy as well as effective.
John Dalla Costa, Founding Director of the Centre for Ethical Orientation and Faculty of The Directors College
The Directors College experience has been nothing short of exceptional, with an immediate benefit to the boards on which I serve. Without hesitation, I recommend The Directors College and its programs.
Silvia Martini, Vice-President, Interlink Research Inc.