Board of Directors Certificate: Legal and Ethical Governance

Program description

The Board of Directors Certificate: Legal and Ethical Governance is a practice-focused program designed to help professionals build their legal knowledge, ethical judgment and governance skills. This intensive, case-based program equips executives and professionals with practical governance strategies for the Canadian context as well as crisis management techniques and conflict resolution skills that are essential for today’s complex board environments. Whether they’re navigating corporate challenges, steering non-profits or guiding philanthropic foundations, graduates emerge with the confidence to make decisions that are legally sound, ethically strong and capable of withstanding scrutiny.

Master the boardroom through hands-on skill-building that transforms theory into practice. Tackle high-profile Canadian cases while developing your abilities in strategic crisis response, conflict navigation and fiduciary oversight. Our focused simulations prepare you for the exact governance dilemmas boards face today — from stakeholder disputes to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factor integration and AI transformation. This will equip you to make sound decisions with clarity and confidence.

Move beyond theory into the boardroom reality through immersive learning that delivers practical skills you’ll use immediately:

Apply fiduciary duties to strategic decisions.
Prevent and manage conflicts of interest.
Lead on ESG, AI and board diversity.
Navigate political and regulatory uncertainty with strategic foresight.
Implement comprehensive risk management frameworks.
Master CEO selection and evaluation.
Implement effective crisis response protocols.
Strengthen financial oversight capabilities.

This certificate doesn’t just build your governance knowledge — it develops your capacity to make sound decisions that protect and advance your organization’s interests.

With our carefully crafted hybrid experience, access premier governance education that fits your schedule:

Master seven comprehensive learning modules that deliver 35 hours in total of focused learning.
Begin and end with dynamic live sessions featuring interactive simulations and peer collaboration.
Join an exclusive and diverse network of governance leaders, creating valuable connections that extend beyond the classroom and opening doors to future opportunities.
Access all materials in one intuitive digital platform — designed for busy professionals, it offers seamless navigation and on-demand expert content.

Each module features expert instruction from Canada’s governance leaders: C-suite executives who have navigated corporate crises, board chairs who have transformed organizations and governance scholars who are at the forefront of Canadian board practices. Their real-world and academic experience becomes your advantage.

Exclusive to this program, The Boardroom Deskbook serves as your comprehensive governance resource. It’s a bespoke manual that was meticulously developed in consultation with Canada’s foremost governance authorities. This practical guide includes annotated case studies of landmark Canadian governance situations; decision frameworks for complex ethical dilemmas; and sector-specific guidance for corporate, non-profit and foundation boards. Available in both digital and audio formats, the Deskbook provides insight into high-profile governance successes and failures, offering lessons you can apply immediately in your board service. This Canada-focused resource will remain a valuable reference throughout your governance career.

Program fees

We believe high-quality board training should be accessible, flexible, and affordable.
The full Board of Directors Certificate: Legal and Ethical Governance is offered at a rate that reflects our commitment to making high-calibre governance education more accessible to a broader range of professionals—$4,995 CAD (plus tax).
Individual modules are available at $1,295 CAD (plus tax) for those seeking specialized knowledge. Customized training packages are also available for businesses, boards, and organizations looking to tailor content to their specific governance needs.
Our goal is to deliver relevant, high-quality governance education in a flexible and attainable format to support current and future board members.

Earn your CD.G designation

Once you complete all the program requirements, you’ll earn the prestigious CD.G (Certified Director of Governance) designation — a clear signal to organizations that you possess advanced governance knowledge and capabilities. This uOttawa Law credential demonstrates your mastery of the legal frameworks, ethical principles and practical skills you need to know for effective board service.
The CD.G designation distinguishes you in a competitive landscape, opening doors to board opportunities. It also connects you to a growing network of governance professionals equipped to meet today’s complex boardroom challenges.

Interested?

Sign up for updates on the program launch, upcoming info sessions and panel events — and be the first to hear about early-bird discounts.

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Senior Fellows

1. Alex Ikejiani

Alex Ikejiani is a certified environmental law specialist with over 27 years of legal and regulatory experience. He is the program lead for the Board of Directors Certificate Program at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, where his interdisciplinary teaching spans the law, science, and business faculties.

His work focuses on ESG, risk assessment, and board governance. He serves on the boards of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and Learning for a Sustainable Future.

His expertise includes environmental law, regulatory compliance, and advising on major projects across sectors such as energy (renewable and non-renewable), mining, and oil and gas.

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2. Marc Y. Tassé

Marc Y. Tassé is a governance and ethics expert with over 30 years of global advisory experience. He holds Fellow CPA and Fellow Governance Professional designations, plus certifications from U.S. institutions.

Marc advises international bodies and teaches in uOttawa’s law and executive MBA programs. He has taught 10,000+ students and was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. His work bridges strategic leadership, risk, and ethical board governance.

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3. Garrick Apollon

Garrick Apollon is a corporate lawyer and Certified Fraud Examiner with two decades of in-house counsel experience. He holds multiple law degrees from Université Laval, uOttawa, and Penn Law.

Garrick teaches governance and ethics in uOttawa’s law and executive MBA programs. He also creates documentary films and publishes scholarly work on ethics and governance. Currently, he serves as Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at uOttawa Law.

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Executive Fellows

1. Janet Bobechko

Janet Bobechko is a partner with WeirFoulds LLP and a senior environmental lawyer with national recognition in ESG and compliance. She advises companies on risk, reporting, governance, and climate change.

Janet is a Law Society-certified specialist and award-winning brownfield expert. She advises the C-suite regarding environmental compliance, corporate reporting, D&O liability, and risk mitigation. She co-chairs ONEIA’s climate change committee and sits on several advisory boards. Her clients include leaders in industry, infrastructure, and sustainability.

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2. Sandra Rosier

Sandra Rosier is a senior tax and finance professional with 20+ years of experience in private equity. She was Global Head of Tax at BGO and began her legal career at Ropes & Gray and McCarthy Tétrault. Sandra holds a JD from uOttawa and clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada.

She is licensed in Ontario and Massachusetts and active in board leadership and advocacy. Sandra speaks widely on networking, governance, and inclusive leadership.

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3. James Sbrolla

James Sbrolla is a cleantech entrepreneur and investor with 30+ years of industry experience. He is CEO of Cleantech Capital and is a Entrepreneur-in-Residence with MaRS and Altitude Accelerator.

James helped take CHAR Technologies public and has advised globally on innovation. He serves as a Director on the boards of CHAR Technologies, ISP Telecom and Actual Media. His work spans financing, commercialization, and environmental sustainability. He is a longtime leader in clean technology business development.

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4. John Wilkinson

John Wilkinson is a partner at WeirFoulds LLP, specializing in governance and corporate law. He advises universities, nonprofits, and regulators on compliance, policy, and risk.

John has served as President of the Canadian Association of University Solicitors. He is Vice-Chair of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and UTS. John holds degrees from the University of Toronto and Dalhousie Law.

View full bio of John Wilkinson

“The difference between good and great governance isn’t just process — it’s purpose. In the CD.G program, we develop directors who understand that ethical leadership and independent judgment are the foundation of organizational excellence. When these values shape boardroom decisions, organizations don’t just endure challenges — they thrive through them.”

Alex Ikejiani | Team Leader and Senior Specialist, Board of Directors Education | University of Ottawa Faculty of Law