Overview
The Certificate in Governance & Ethics offers a focused exploration of the critical risks and responsibilities facing today’s corporate leaders. In a landscape shaped by heightened stakeholder expectations, regulatory demands, and reputational risk, this program equips decision-makers with the tools to lead with integrity and accountability.
Program Details
Format
- Online
- 1 day / week
Duration/Timing
- 5 weeks
- Thursdays
- 10 am – 1 pm (EST)
Next Offering
Module 1 | March 19, 2026
Module 2 | March 26, 2026
Module 3 | April 2, 2026
Module 4 | April 9, 2026
Module 5 | April 16, 2026
Program Fee
$1,800 + HST
Learn about funding options and get a $200 early bird discount (until Dec 31st).
Participant Profile
All managers, executives and directors will benefit from this certificate. Anyone who is anticipating promotion or greater responsibilities, or who is in the compliance, governance, or risk management functions will find this certificate immediately relevant.
Applications for this program are reviewed for suitability. If you are interested, please send your resume or LinkedIn profile to imi.executiveprograms@utoronto.ca, and a member of our team will be in touch.
Looking to deepen your impact at the board or executive level?
Mastering Governance Excellence
Corporate scandals in recent years have highlighted the high cost of weak governance and ethics, lost trust, damaged reputations, and derailed careers. As stakeholder expectations for leadership accountability rise, this certificate program equips board members, executives, and senior leaders with the insights needed to avoid missteps, strengthen governance, and build lasting stakeholder confidence.
What You'll Learn
- The latest governance expectations and the role of ethics in effective leadership.
- How to build and maintain an ethical corporate culture.
- Decision-making aligned with organizational values and stakeholder protection.
- How to address governance challenges like technology risks and crisis management.
- Approaches to navigating complex ethics issues such as AI and cybersecurity.
How You'll Learn
Expert-Led Insights - Learn directly from a senior professor who brings deep expertise and real-world experience to every session.
Real-World Case Studies - Analyze case studies to apply key governance and ethics principles in practical scenarios.
Collaborative Discussions - Engage in group discussions to share perspectives and solve challenges together.
This module will take place over two sessions and help you understand the new governance expectations, how corporate accountability has changed, how good governance depends on good ethics, and governance ethics flaws that should be avoided. Understanding these developments will provide a framework for you to develop the essential skills and strategic insight needed for effective governance today.
Module 3 will provide practical insights into how a corporation can develop and maintain an ethical corporate culture designed to guide employees to make the right decisions and take the right actions. This module will enhance your understanding of the expectations around governance practices, and the role of ethics in achieving those expectations.
Module 4 will illustrate how to make decisions that reflect the organization’s values and expectations. This will protect the reputation and careers of decision-makers, executives, board members, and the interests of shareholders and other stakeholders, as well as optimize opportunities presented.
Module 5 will focus on the different types of governance and ethics issues organizations face today including stakeholder accountability, technology issues, cybercrime, ethics of AI, managing risks and crisis management. It will prepare you to navigate these challenges with confidence and to deal effectively with difficult and often unpredictable situations.
Meet the Faculty
Leonard J. Brooks
Len has spent over 30 years consulting to clients, writing and teaching about governance and ethics. His books Business & Professional Ethics for Directors, Executives and Accountants and Ethics & Governance: Developing & Maintaining an Ethical Corporate Culture are used around the world. As a Professor Emeritus of Business Ethics & Accounting, he has shared his insights with professors and students in the University's Directors Education Program, Executive MBA, MBA, Master of Management & Professional Accounting, and Master of Forensic Accounting programs.
I had the privilege of participating in the Governance and Business Ethics course through IMIx Executive Programs. I extend my sincere thanks to Professor Leonard Brooks for his expert guidance, thought-provoking discussions, and dynamic teaching style. The course offered not only deep insights but also practical tools and frameworks that I’ll carry forward in both strategy and leadership. This experience has been both enriching and inspiring—a reminder of the value of lifelong learning and the impact that strong governance and ethical leadership can have on organizational success.
Pernille Fischer Boulter
CEO and Founder
Kisserup International Trade Roots Inc,
Europe and Arctic
By centering ethical responsibility and the skills needed to govern effectively, this Certificate is relevant, meaningful and essential for not-for-profit, including governmental, and private sector leaders. Professor Len Brooks presents materials, concepts, and frameworks using real world examples in a profoundly accessible way. As a result, participants come away with a powerful and enduring set of reference points for grounding quality governance in lessons learned and current practice for organizations and those that rely upon their effectiveness. I strongly recommend this professional growth opportunity to all that want to deepen knowledge and refine skills in leading organizations toward ethical practices and good governance. I believe that organizations would be well-served to orient leaders toward this learning and certification.
Scott Benwell, PhD
Senior Partner, Advantics Leadership Group Limited
Former Superintendent of Schools in British Columbia
How to Apply
Before beginning the application process, please review the participant profile to ensure eligibility. Our programs follow one of two pathways for enrollment: Direct Registration or Application Review.
Direct Registration Programs
These programs are open to all participants who meet the general eligibility criteria.
- Register online through the program page.
- Full payment is required at the time of registration.
- Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Application Review Programs
These programs involve a review process to ensure alignment between participant goals and program outcomes.
- Programs requiring a review will indicate this in the Participant Profile section
- When a résumé or LinkedIn profile is requested, please email it to imi.executiveprograms@utoronto.ca.
- If accepted, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to proceed with registration and payment.
Participant Notification Process
If space is available and eligibility requirements are met, you will receive an automatic confirmation and receipt from the application system once you have submitted a completed application and fee deposit. Program details, calendar invites, and additional instructions will be sent via email two weeks before the program's start date.
- The full deposit fee is required at time of application. Payment can be made through the application link via credit card. Please note that we do not accept cheque payments.
- Please note that all prices are quoted in Canadian dollars and subject to applicable taxes.
- IMIx certificate program dates, fees and faculty are subject to change. In the case that a program is canceled, you will be offered enrollment in either the same or any other future program or alternatively, a full refund.
Visit our Funding and Financial Support page for information on potential financial assistance options (i.e OSAP) and discounts for groups and alumni.
FAQs
All of our programs are offered entirely online using Zoom (a free basic account is required). There is no in-person component.
The program fee includes all modules and all necessary course materials, including any licensed content. There are no additional costs, Software access or online tools (if applicable) are also fully covered by the fee.
A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to all participants who meet all program requirements, including attending at least 90% of the sessions. Certificates are mailed to participants, and a digital copy can also be provided via email upon request.
For programs that include an assessment component, the certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the required assessment activities. Assessments may include assignments, reflection essays, or a project, and are typically graded on a pass/fail basis.
Programs that include an assessment:
- Canadian Income Tax Practice
- Data Analytics
- Effective Healthcare Management
- Strategy & Critical Thinking
Programs that do not include an assessment:
- Effective Leadership for Senior Managers
- Pharma Challenges and Opportunities
- Governance & Ethics
- Effective Management of People
You may be eligible for a discount if you are;
- A U of T or IMIx alum
- Eligible for a special offer (e.g., Early Bird Discount, Team Discount, etc.)
- A team of 2 or more individuals from the same organization
- A group of 2 or more individuals enrolling together (e.g., friends or family)
Visit our Funding and Financial Support page for more information.
Cancellation Policy
If you are no longer able to attend a program, requests must be sent via email to imi.executiveprograms@utoronto.ca. The following options will apply:
- 21+ days notice: You will be eligible for a 100% refund
- 10+ days notice: You will be eligible for a 50% refund
- Less than 10 days notice: you will not be eligible for any refund
In any of the above cases, you will have the option to take a credit or transfer registration to another person.
Questions about our Governance and Ethics program?