Excellence in Governance: The Role and Responsibilities of the Board

About the Program

This 2.5-day program is designed for leaders who want to better understand how boards of directors shape the direction and success of modern organizations. Through board simulation-based learning, you will lead and step into the role of board member—and board chair—to explore the real-time decisions boards must make across governance, strategy, succession planning, and risk and crisis leadership.

Over the course of the program, you’ll engage in dynamic board simulations focused on key governance and current or modern challenges that board members face. Each simulation will be framed by relevant readings and discussion and brought to life through case-based board simulation.

You’ll leave the program with a deeper understanding of the evolving role and responsibilities of boards, the dynamics of high-performing governance, and the practical skills to lead, support, and influence board decision-making in your organization.

Who Should Attend?

This program is designed for professionals with a minimum of one year of experience working with or within a board (profit or not for profit), including:

• Senior executives preparing for or currently serving on boards
• New and aspiring board members seeking to enhance their impact and leadership
• Leaders who engage with or report to boards and want to better understand governance dynamics

What You Will Learn

• Understand the evolving responsibilities and expectations of today’s board of directors
• Experience the role of the board chair and explore how leadership and governance intersect
• Apply best practices in CEO succession and executive leadership development
• Contribute to strategy development from a governance perspective
• Navigate crisis and risk with sound board oversight and leadership
• Enhance your effectiveness as a board member through structured feedback and reflection

How You’ll Learn

Each session is simulation-based and grounded in real-world governance challenges with case studies. You’ll receive pre-reading to prepare for the board simulation, then work in small groups to role-play as a board of directors addressing the issue at hand. One participant will serve as chair, another as board secretary—rotating these roles across the program to ensure active participation and skill-building.

You will:

• Engage in four immersive board simulations across key governance themes
• Receive peer feedback on your performance as board chair
• Reflect on group decision-making and board effectiveness during plenary debriefs
• Integrate your learning in a capstone session that connects insights from across the program

Program Facilitators

Sean Finn

Facilitator

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Sean Finn

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Facilitator

Sean Finn is a fluently bilingual, proven executive business leader and lawyer. He is a visionary, strategic thinker who identifies goals and objectives, develops and communicates a robust strategic vision, and nurtures longstanding relationships and support from all stakeholders to achieve winning business results. 

A purposeful, bold, and strategic transformational leader, Sean promotes collaboration, transparency, and incites team spirit towards a common purpose. He understands not only the complexities of running a large business but also the impact of government regulations and public policy on meeting goals and objectives. He has devoted considerable energy to mastering government and parliamentary processes and building long-term relationships with elected members and key officials at all levels of government.  

For almost three decades, Sean was at the heart of Canada’s largest railway, CN, and served, for twenty-nine years, as one of its most senior executives. 

Sean is a cross-appointed Executive-in-Residence at the Telfer School of Management and the Faculty of Law (Common Law and Civil Law Sections). He also provides mentorship to members of our student clubs and teaches courses on corporate governance and ethics in the Telfer Executive MBA program. 

Sean’s deep experience in the rail sector is bolstered by the insights he has gained and relationships he has built through leadership positions beyond his responsibilities at CN. He has chaired the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Quebec Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. He was the only Canadian board member on the US Chamber of Commerce from 2017 to 2023. While a CN executive, Sean served as Mayor of Saint-Lambert, Quebec from 2005 to 2009. 

Sean is a proud Canadian and Quebecer. He grew up in a bilingual family, attended francophone schools, earned his law degree from the University of Montreal, and has been a member of the Quebec bar since 1983. 

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