Certification in Corporate Governance

Become an impact manager: master strategic issues, anticipate risks and make informed decisions to propel your organization into the future.

Length 9 days

Rate 8,095 $

Language French

Format In-Person

Upcoming date(s)

The business world has undergone profound changes in recent years, making board members’ responsibilities increasingly complex.

In addition to your traditional role as a steward of the organization’s mission and financial performance, you now must serve as a strategic partner and a key driver of its success and sustainability. As such, you have to weigh in on a range of social, environmental and political issues. Not only that, but you must make informed decisions about advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and seamlessly incorporate regulatory changes into the business’s strategy.

How do you maneuver through the complexity and uncertainty of this environment, while taking these crucial factors into account? How do you manage the ambiguity inherent in serving on a board? Set yourself apart with this certification, which goes beyond theory, offering unique simulations to prepare you to fully assume your role.

The successful completion of this program entitles you to a digital certificate. These credentials are trusted, secure, verifiable, and sustainable.

GOALS

This program will enable you to:

Develop a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of modern-day board members
Master the skills to succeed
Assess value creation and identify risks surrounding strategic decisions
Adopt behaviours essential to fulfilling your mandate as a director.

IS THIS FOR YOU?

Members of boards of directors:

Experienced - to hone your expertise
Recent appointments - to strengthen your skillset
Future appointments - to prepare yourself for your first board role

SPECIAL FEATURES

Acquire and apply essential skills so you can be an impactful and engaged board member.
Utilize best practices in corporate governance to take your organization’s performance to new heights.
Learn from top industry specialists and meet board members from a wide range of organizations.

Certificate issuance is contingent on session attendance and the results of the final exam.

SKILLS DEVELOPED IN THIS COURSE

Gouvernance d’entreprise
Planification stratégique
Gestion des risques
Conformité réglementaire
Responsabilité sociétale (RSE)
Éthique des affaires

DAY 1 - INTRODUCTION TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MORNING: INTRODUCTION TO KEY CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONCEPTS

The fundamentals of corporate governance
The role of a board of directors in corporate oversight

AFTERNOON: ETHICS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Issues facing today’s boards: business ethics, conflicts of interest, responsible governance
Current trends and emerging challenges

DAY 2 - LEGAL AND DIGITAL ISSUES RELATED TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MORNING: LEGAL BACKDROP

Legal framework for corporate governance
Accountability
Succession planning for directors and officers

AFTERNOON: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Impact of digital transformation on business models and corporate structures
Risk management in the age of artificial intelligence

DAY 3 - ESG CONSIDERATIONS
MORNING: THE ABCS OF ESG

Environmental, social and governance factors
Corporate social responsibility
Linking executive compensation to ESG performance
Greenwashing: what it is and where it can cause problems

AFTERNOON: MATERIALITY MATRIX

Financial and double materiality
Risk assessment requirements
Development of a materiality matrix (case study)

DAY 4 - GOVERNANCE IN TIMES OF CRISIS
MORNING: INTERNAL PROBLEMS

Personality conflicts and differences of opinion

Political skills
Network management
Difficult board members
Removal and consequences
Conflict resolution on a board (role of the chair, management, etc.)

AFTERNOON: EXTERNAL PROBLEMS

Role of the board during a crisis of a financial, reputational, regulatory or other nature
Crisis management planning
Communication strategy

DAY 5 - GOVERNANCE FACTS AND FIGURES
MORNING: READING AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Accounting-related responsibilities of board members
Role of the audit committee
Value creation metrics

AFTERNOON: SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

New requirements and opportunities in sustainable finance
Influence of sustainable finance on board decision making

DAY 6 - CYBERSECURITY GOVERNANCE
MORNING: DATA GOVERNANCE

Understanding the impact of data governance on board decisions
Data management and protection
Impact of artificial intelligence

AFTERNOON: CYBERSECURITY ISSUES

Important definitions and issues
Regulatory and compliance frameworks
Cybersecurity-related risk assessment
360 case study of a cyberattack

DAY 7 - INTEGRATION (TBC)

DAY 8 - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN ACTION
MORNING: DEI AND BOARDS

Introduction to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
Diversity in all its forms: gender, ethnicity, multigenerational insights, making room for First Nations

AFTERNOON: CONCLUSION

A closer look at current and future problems
Recap of program content
Panel of corporate directors

DAY 9 - FINAL EXAM
MORNING: CASE STUDY (SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION)

Multidisciplinary panel
Case study with scenarios

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR AND INSTRUCTOR:

Julien Le Maux

PhD, MSc (Finance), CFE, C.Adm.

Professor, HEC Montréal

INSTRUCTORS:

Leonidas Assogba

MBA, CPA, C.Dir.–ASC, CFE, CICA, CFIP

Strategic Advisor, Desjardins Security Office, Desjardins Group

Louise Champoux-Paillé

MBA, CM, C.Q., F.Adm.A., ASC Émérite

Co-Director, Barry F. Lorenzetti Centre for Women in Entrepreneurship and Leadership, Concordia University

Joanie Coutu-Bellerose

MSc

Senior Compensation Advisor, Normandin Beaudry

Magali Depras

MBA, IDP-C

President and Founder, Magali Depras Services Conseils inc.

Sylvain Lafrance

Adjunct Professor, Director, HEC Montréal Media Management Hub; former Executive Vice-President, Radio-Canada; and Chair of the Board of Directors of Téléfilm Canada

Ann MacDonald

BAA (Administration), PMP, ASC

Chair of the Boards, Loto-Québec, Mobilité Infra Québec, and Fondation des Petits Frères

Bertrand Milot

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Bradley & Rollins

Florian Roulle

Vice-President, Sustainable Finance, Finance Montréal

Stéphane Rousseau

Professor, Governance and Business Law Chair and Vice-Dean, Université de Montréal Faculty of Law

Deux nouvelles certifications pour relever les défis d’aujourd’hui - École des dirigeant(e)s HEC Montréal

30 April 2026

Two New Certification Programs to Tackle the Challenges of Our Time

Two new certifications in project management and governance to strengthen leadership and tackle the challenges of organizations in transformation.

Is this certification reserved only for current board members?

Not at all. It is designed for current board members (non-profits, SMEs, crown corporations) who wish to professionalize their practice, as well as senior executives and leaders who interact with a board and aspire to join one in the near future.

What sets this certification apart from other governance programs?

This certification stands out for its approach grounded in the realities of boards. It reflects the evolving role of board members and goes beyond legal aspects to explore board dynamics, strategic decision-making, and the relationship with executive management. Led by experienced board members, the program highlights the latest trends and equips you to tackle the contemporary challenges of governance.

What benefits will my organization gain from my certification?

Your organization will benefit from a more active and structured contribution to the board. You will strengthen oversight and risk management, know how to ask the right questions to management, and help create sustainable value by aligning governance practices with the company’s strategy.

Contact our advisor

Joëlle Zoghbi

Program Manager

Email | Phone

Témoignages

Dr Simon Patry md, ASC-C.Dir, m-MBA, psychiatre IUSMQ, administrateur au Collège des médecins du Québec

“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 generosity and the passion of the instructors and the thought-provoking discussions with my fellow participants helped me understand that meaningful change comes from working together.”

Simon Patry, MD, C.Dir.–ASC, mMBA, Psychiatrist, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Board member, Collège des médecins du Québec

Isabelle Martel-Ménard, directrice, Développement professionnel, Compétences CPA et sujets émergents, CPA Québec

“The meticulously crafted content, high-calibre instructors and stimulating conversations with colleagues from diverse perspectives helped me strengthen my skill set, build my confidence and refine my approach as a board member. The hands-on program gave me the tools I need to actively contribute to responsible and engaged governance — one that rethinks conventional foundations in order to better address key challenges such as inclusion, sustainability, transparency and agility.”

Isabelle Martel-Ménard, Director, Professional Development, CPA Competencies and Emerging Topics, CPA Québec

Julia Bouvet, conseillère en stratégie d’affaires, Agile Services Conseil

“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. The many case studies presented framed what we learned using real-world examples. And having experienced board members come talk to us openly about what they have seen helped make us more confident and develop our strategic vision, both of which are essential in a corporate governance role.”

Julia Bouvet, Business Strategy Consultant, Agile Consulting Services