Upcoming sessions
Future dates
| Module 1 | Nov 20-22, 2025 |
| Module 2 | Jan 22-24, 2026 |
| Module 3 | Mar 19-21, 2026 |
| Module 4 | May 7-9, 2026 |
| Location | James W. Burns Executive Education Centre |
Overview and impact
The James W. Burns Executive Education Centre delivers the Directors Education Programs (DEP) jointly developed by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.
The ICD is the only globally recognized director organization in Canada, and they strive to develop informed, prepared, ethical, connected, courageous and engaged leaders. It is committed to the universal practice of good corporate governance by fostering excellence in directorship.
Directors are continually challenged by information gaps, time squeezes and the behavioural dynamics that can be encountered in the boardroom. The DEP has been specifically designed to help experienced directors overcome these challenges by introducing activities and processes that will assist them in fulfilling their role.
Complemented by some of Canada’s most accomplished and highly respected directors-in-residence, this course is taught by leading governance experts and is delivered in 4 modules, currently consisting of 5-6 half-day online sessions each.
The program offers experiential learning through breakouts and board simulations tailored to meet the needs of directors from public and private companies, Crown corporations, public institutions, co-operatives, and large not-for-profit organizations across Canada.
Program benefits
Optimize your governance mission and fully exercise your leadership potential as a board director.
- DEP Alumni benefit from becoming part of a national network of 7,300 program graduates and more than 16,500 ICD members across Canada.
- A dynamic learning environment rich with peer-to-peer insights, director dilemmas, board and committee simulations and case studies.
- Benefit from the collective knowledge and experience of an unparalleled faculty - national and local academics, seasoned directors and leading governance experts.
- Expanded networking opportunities with an unparalleled group of professional peers, locally and nationally.
- Flexible scheduling to meet your unique needs - modules may be taken in any of the eleven cities where the DEP is offered.
- The first step towards the ICD.D designation upon completion of a written examination and a board meeting simulation chaired and vice-chaired by some of Canada's most senior directors.
- Non-members of the ICD receive a one-year membership upon application.
- The ICD is a founding member of the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI), opening the door to the global director community.
The Institute of Corporate Directors encourages continuous learning and sharing of best practices through topical courses, seminars, research, and publications. The ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP), in particular, provides a thorough understanding of the role and relationships between board chairs, board members and management. In the DEP, I gained valuable skills and knowledge that are relevant to my role as a CEO and my board work in both private and public environments. I highly recommend this program to CEOs and all directors.
Paul Soubry, ICD.D, New Flyer Industries (CEO, President & Director), True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd/Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club Inc (Director), Winnipeg Airports Authority, Inc. (Director)
Eligibility
The DEP is not an entry-level director education course. It has been developed for experienced directors who wish to hone their skills and be more effective.
The course itself is focused primarily on for-profit governance with an emphasis on the governance of publicly-traded corporations. As such, the course is most appropriate for directors with for-profit governance experience or those directors and professionals with near-term opportunity to serve on for-profit boards.
The Directors Education Program (DEP) delivered an exceptional program of timely, relevant and stimulating material and discussions that are critical to anyone wanting to enhance their boardroom skills. I was very impressed by the knowledge and skills of the instructors and the experts in-residence and by the talent and diversity of my classmates. Debates and discussions were always lively and enlightening. I walked away with new ideas, new approaches and new friends. I would not hesitate to recommend the DEP course to others.
Gail Stephens, FCGA, ICD.D, Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Discover more
Contact us
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James W. Burns Executive Education Centre
2nd floor
177 Lombard Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0W5