Governance Essentials Program

About the Program

Boards can be complex. Directors must understand their role to make a lasting impact and fulfill their fiduciary obligations to the board they serve. The first step is to gain an appreciation for the principles of board governance.

The ICD-Rotman Governance Essentials Program (GEP) is an intensive two-day program focused on the key accountabilities, responsibilities and critical skills of board directors. Developed with the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, the GEP equips participants with the fundamentals of board governance through team-based learning, enhancing their contributions to board discussions and boosting their effectiveness as directors.

Scholarship Supported by:

Who Should Attend?

This course is for newly appointed board directors and senior executives seeking to gain a deeper understanding of governance in the boardroom.

This course provides a learning environment that balances diversity, experience, and the ability of participants to contribute positively within the group. There are no admission requirements for this program however, space is on a first come, first serve basis.

What You Will Learn

After completing all components of the course, participants will:

• Understand the fiduciary responsibilities of directors and boards
• Understand the duty of care expected of directors in board decision-making
• Recognize the many applications of the generative, strategic, and fiduciary governance models
• Better understand the dynamics of group decision-making in a boardroom environment
• Increase understanding of governance best practices to be better prepared for board meetings
• Have the opportunity to learn alongside and from director peers

To increase awareness of governance principles, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and duties of the board director while developing the required skills to serve more effectively.

Program Takeaways

• Clarity regarding the role and duties of a director
• Tools and strategies for exercising influence and leading change
• How the Board can lead development of the vision and strategy of the organization

Program Facilitators

Richard C. Powers

Academic Director

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Richard C. Powers

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Academic Director

After receiving his MBA and LLB from Queen’s University, Richard C. Powers worked as a corporate lawyer for a national Canadian law firm.  He later served as Corporate Counsel for Honda Canada Inc., before joining the University of Toronto.  Richard served as the Associate Dean of the Rotman School of Management responsible for all full-time and part-time MBA programs as well as the Master of Finance Program.

An internationally recognized expert in both corporate and not-for-profit governance, Richard is the National Academic Director of The Directors Education Program (DEP) and the Not-For-Profit Governance Essentials Program (GEP) (in partnership with the Institute of Corporate Directors – ICD).  Richard also serves as the Academic Director of the CUES Governance Programs in Canada.  He also teaches in Rotman’s Executive MBA, OMNIUM, MBA and Executive Education Programs.

Richard has lead and taught in the DEP and GEP for over 14 years, and has assisted in designing and implementing the programs at 13 universities across Canada.  The DEP is recognized as one of the most robust governance programs in the world.  In addition to his responsibilities with the DEP, Richard has worked with numerous boards, associations and organizations in identifying, creating and developing best governance practices.  He is a director and committee member of several not-for-profit organizations and frequently comments on legal and governance issues in various media across Canada.

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