Two New Certification Programs to Tackle the Challenges of Our Time
April 30, 2026
As organizations evolve at a fast pace and environments grow more complex, strong leadership skills have become a strategic necessity. In keeping with its commitment to supporting executives throughout their careers, Executive Education HEC Montréal continues to broaden its professional development offerings. Against a backdrop of accelerating transformation, organizations need leaders who can step back and see the big picture, make evidence-based choices and move forward with confidence. The Executive Education HEC Montréal program portfolio is constantly being updated to take these realities into account.
Two new certification programs have been introduced in 2025–2026 — one dedicated to project management and the other to corporate governance. Tailored to meet contemporary business needs, both are designed to help executives hone their decision-making capabilities, guide their teams with clarity and purpose, and put their organization on the path to success.
Turning ideas into results
In a world marked by a proliferation of initiatives, leaders must be equipped to manage multiple projects and act decisively. The six-day Project Management Certification program focuses on key principles applicable to every stage, from planning to execution, with hands-on tools that can transform ambitions into tangible outcomes.
Ubisoft Producer Frédéric-Antoine Marcoux rated the program very highly:
“I was very impressed by the quality of the instructors, how engaged they were and how good they were at using real-world examples to illustrate specific concepts. Even though I came into this with many years of experience, it was an excellent return to the basics and helped me refresh my project management reflexes.”
The interaction with professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and industries is seen as a considerable asset, as Geneviève Lesage, Major Events Coordinator at Mira, pointed out:
“I really enjoyed the different angles the three instructors took. The discussions with participants from a variety of backgrounds also added a lot to the experience.”
Even seasoned executives benefit from the exposure to innovative practices and the opportunity to renew their management toolkit.
Alex Stanciuc, Continuous Improvement and Learning Leader at Pharmascience, said:
“This certification program helped me structure the way I approach my job and acquire hands-on tools to manage projects more efficiently and effectively.”
Preparing the next generation of board leadership
Corporate governance is also changing rapidly. Digital transformation, cybersecurity, sustainability and risk management are just some of the issues board members must address.
The eight-day Certification in Corporate Governance helps leaders enhance their effectiveness as board members. The program delves into the fundamentals of board governance and features immersive simulations to examine real-world situations.
For Simon Patry, a psychiatrist at the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec and a board member with the Collège des médecins du Québec, the program transformed his vision of governance:
“I originally enrolled in the program to strengthen my governance knowledge, but along the way I realized that it’s an ever-evolving process. It starts with re-examining what governance is and developing a strategic vision of what it should be.”
The depth of the discussions among participants and the diversity of the viewpoints are greatly appreciated. Isabelle Martel-Ménard, Director, Professional Development, CPA Competencies and Emerging Topics, CPA Québec, emphasized:
“The meticulously crafted content and stimulating conversations helped me strengthen my skill set, build my confidence and refine my approach as a board member.”
The program also explores some of the major challenges that are redefining contemporary corporate governance. Julia Bouvet, Business Strategy Consultant at Agile Consulting Services, shared this perspective:
“I was particularly impressed by the breadth and depth of the program, with its focus on an innovative, out-of-the-box approach to governance that incorporates ESG, EDI, cybersecurity, digital transformation, crisis management and new compensation models.”
Content designed to meet the needs of today’s organizations
Through these two new certification programs, Executive Education HEC Montréal is pursuing a clear objective: to provide training programs aligned with the needs of today’s organizations. Not only do these programs help leaders develop actionable insights, but they also provide a dedicated space for reflection, discussion and dialogue on what it means to be a leader in an increasingly complex environment.
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