23 Jan Institute of Corporate Directors
‘ICD is committed to providing directors with multi-faceted learning forums to advance their governance knowledge and build the necessary skills to enhance their contributions in the boardroom.’
The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) is a national not-for-profit, member-based organization established in 1981. ICD is committed to empowering corporate directors with the necessary governance knowledge and tools to navigate the swiftly evolving global economy.
Reflecting on the current global context, ICD acknowledges the continuous challenges posed by ongoing events like COVID-19 and the subsequent societal, environmental, and geopolitical changes. These encompass social justice movements, altered work environments, mental health concerns, the drive for greater equity and inclusion, sustainability imperatives, and geopolitical dynamics across the globe.
Consequently, boardrooms are undergoing a significant transformation, prompting vital deliberations on culture, strategy, and risk—and beyond. This reshaping goes beyond revising long-term strategies, touching upon the fundamental purposes of organizations. Directors are confronting scenarios that require heightened foresight, resilience, and crisis management abilities, capable of reshaping enterprises within remarkably short periods.
President and CEO Rahul Bhardwaj, LL.B, ICD.D, shares key insights in the organization’s 2021-22 Annual Review, “Directors today have never faced such demanding challenges, requiring heightened foresight and agility to address crises that can significantly impact their enterprise within a matter of weeks or even days.”
One year ago, in November 2022, in an exciting collaboration between the Institute for Corporate Directors (ICD) and Rotman School of Management, a groundbreaking initiative was unveiled. The Directors Education Program (DEP) offered a distinct edition focusing on Indigenous governance. Facilitated by leading Indigenous governance experts, this specialized program resulted from meticulous consultations, ensuring the incorporation of authentic guidance and insights into the program. The ICD and Rotman were privileged to collaborate with members of the Indigenous Advisory Panel, including Grant Christoff, LL.B, ICD.D, Jean-Paul (JP) Gladu, MBA, ICD.D, and Geordie Hungerford, CFA, CAIA, MBA, LL.B. Their combined decades of expertise in Indigenous governance and leadership played a pivotal role in shaping the program’s curricula.
Two notable graduates include Carol Anne Hilton, MBA, ICD.D, CEO and Founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Center for Indigenomics, and Sara Wolfe, MBA, ICD.D, Executive in Residence at the Rotman School of Management. In an article from the ICD posted on November 20, 2023, Wolfe reflects. “Everyone learning about corporate governance, or any kind of governance, should be able to reflect an understanding of how Indigenous principles, laws, and rights are relevant to their organizations in Canada,” says Wolfe. “Canada has a relationship with the sovereign Indigenous nations and peoples within this country, and it’s a responsibility for every single board, organization, and corporation to uphold these principles.” These words come just days before the Indigenomics on Bay Street conference, hosted in Toronto, Canada, which has called in governance and business leaders from across the globe to gather with the same mission in mind. This is Indigenomics in action. Thank you ICD for your leadership in economic reconciliation and creating the space for Indigenous directors in the corporate board room.
Learn more at: icd.ca