Board Readiness Program *New


Date and Time

Starts:09/12/2025 8:00 AM

Ends:09/13/2025 3:00 PM

Registration Closes:09/11/2025 3:00 PM

Event Type: Certificate Program

13.5 CPD Hour(s)

Location:
HRPA Office, Toronto 150 Bloor St W, Suite 200, Toronto, ON

Price:

HRPA Members: $2,500 + taxes

Non-Members: $2,950 + taxes


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Note: The program is delivered as an intact certificate program in which registrants must attend all of the dates specified.

Availability

Additional Information

Event Sponsor


The HRPA Board Readiness Program prepares HRPA executives to become sought-after board candidates. This program provides critical insights into governance, board responsibilities, risk mitigation, board recruitment, and interview process to help executives secure board roles. 

The two-day intensive training is designed and taught by industry-leading experts and current board directors who will share their expertise and real-world examples that will allow you to accelerate your board journey. The program also will allow for networking opportunities with peers who are on the same board journey as you. 

Register by June 2025 to receive access to an exclusive 1-hour virtual workshop with Lori-Ann Beausoleil.

Participants will have the opportunity to share their board CVs and receive personalized feedback on areas for improvement.

Limited spots available — secure your early bird ticket while they last!

Learning Objectives 

Participants will: 

  • Understand key responsibilities, including strategy, compliance, financial oversight, and risk management. 
  • Gain insight into board recruitment, performance assessment, and evaluation. 
  • Learn how to navigate board assessment processes using real-world templates. 
  • Explore fiduciary responsibilities, personal liability, litigation risks, and class actions. 
  • Understand how to mitigate board risk through D&O insurance and indemnity agreements.
  • Learn to articulate a compelling board value proposition. 
  • Discover effective channels for securing board positions. 
  • Hear insights from successful board directors on best practices. 
  • Develop an effective board CV and understand recruitment expectations. 
  • Learn about HR committee responsibilities, including CEO performance, remuneration, succession, and director compensation. 
  • Master board interview strategies and avoid common pitfalls. 
  • Understand crisis management strategies for boardroom scenarios. 
  • Learn about effective board onboarding processes. 

 

Program Outline 

Day 1: Understanding Board Responsibilities & Securing a Board Role 

Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

Overview of Key Board Responsibilities 

  • Strategy, risk, and financial oversight 
  • Compliance with laws and regulations 
  • CEO performance and remuneration 
  • CEO succession 
  • Board recruitment 
  • Board performance assessment and evaluation process 

Deep Dive into the Board Assessment Process 

  • The impact of the evaluation process 
  • How to create value through the process 
  • Self-assessment vs. third-party assessment 

Fiduciary Responsibilities & Risk Mitigation 

  • Fiduciary responsibilities of a board member 
  • Overview of personal liability and emerging risk 
  • Litigation and class action risks 
  • Mitigating risk through D&O insurance and indemnity agreements 

Key Board Skills Required to Secure a Board Position 

  • Essential skills sought by corporate, private, not-for-profit, public sector, and charitable organizations 

Pathways to Securing a Board Position 

  • Understanding different channels for obtaining a board role 

Key Components of an Effective Board CV & Common Pitfalls 

  • Structuring an effective board CV 
  • Avoiding common mistakes that hinder board recruitment 

 

Day 2: HR Committee Responsibilities & Boardroom Crisis Management 

Time: 8:00AM - 3:00 PM 

Understanding the HR Committee’s Role & Responsibilities 

  • The role of the HR Committee in board governance 

Learning from an Experienced Board Director 

  • Insights from a board director who has served on HR Committees 
  • Building a personal board brand and key learnings 

CEO Oversight, Succession Planning & Director Compensation 

  • The board’s role in CEO performance oversight 
  • Succession planning best practices 
  • Director compensation and its governance implications 

Navigating the Board Recruitment Process 

  • Understanding how boards recruit new members
  • Key factors that influence board selection 

Board Interview Process & Success Factors 

  • Insights from a recruitment firm partner on how to interview effectively 
  • Common interview pitfalls and how to navigate them 

Crisis Management in the Boardroom (Interactive Group Study) 

  • Understanding how boards manage crises 
  • Breakout groups will conduct a case study on boardroom crisis management 

The Board Onboarding Process 

  • What to expect during the first months on a board 
  • Best practices for integrating into a board 

 

Registration Difficulties/Questions: Please reach out to the Professional Development team at Professionaldevelopment@hrpa.ca

Speaker bio(s)
Lori-Ann Beausoleil, CEO & Co-Founder, Board Diversity Network

Lori-Ann Beausoleil is an experienced corporate director and retired partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), where she built a career spanning over 35 years in compliance, ethics, governance, and risk management. Throughout her tenure at PwC, she held leadership roles such as National Leader for Compliance, Ethics, and Governance, National Real Estate Leader, and National Forensic Services Leader. She currently serves on the boards of Metro Inc., Brookfield Real Estate Income Trust Inc., CAPREIT, and Cboe Canada Inc., contributing to audit and governance committees. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Fellow of CPA Ontario, she holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. Lori-Ann is also the CEO and Co-Founder of the Board Diversity Network, an organization dedicated to advancing diversity in corporate boardrooms.


Elaine Roper, Executive Recruiter & Governance Expert

Elaine Roper is an experienced board director and governance advisor with deep expertise in corporate and board governance, human capital strategy, and executive/board talent development.   

With over 40 years of international experience as a CHRO, consultant, and board member across the tech, financial services, not-for-profit, and public/private sectors, Elaine has served on numerous boards, including the Canada Games Council, Royal Ontario Museum (Vice Chair), and the Heart & Stroke Foundations (Board Chair). She has chaired HR and Governance Committees, led board recruitment campaigns, and worked to elevate board effectiveness.   

Elaine holds a BA in German and Business from Bishop’s University, is bilingual, and a graduate of the Rotman Directors Education Program (ICD.D). A frequent speaker on governance, she was recognized in 2023 as a national honouree by the Women Get on Board | BMO program. 


Sandra Levy, Corporate Director

Sandra Levy is a distinguished corporate director and former senior human resources executive with over 25 years of experience in HR and legal roles. She has held leadership positions at organizations such as RioCan Management Inc. and First Capital Asset Management ULC. In 2020, she was appointed as the Chief People & Culture Officer at the Canadian Olympic Committee, a role she retired from in June 2023. Ms. Levy currently serves on the boards of GFL Environmental Inc., SIR Royalty Income Fund, and SLANG Worldwide, where she chairs governance committees and contributes her expertise in executive and board compensation, business and cultural transformation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Notably, she is a two-time Canadian Olympic athlete, having competed in field hockey during the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. Ms. Levy holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Ontario.


Michelle Banik, Corporate Director

Michelle Banik is an accomplished global C-suite executive with a distinguished career in human resources across various industries. She served as Chief People Officer and Senior Vice President at the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) from 2015 to 2019, following her role as Vice President of Human Resources from 2013 to 2015. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western University and has earned the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) and Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) designations. In 2023, she was honored as the inaugural recipient of a notable award, reflecting her significant contributions to the field. She currently serves on the boards of Empire Company Limited, Sobeys Inc., Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada Foundation, and Western University.


Steve J. Tenai, Member of Aird & Berlis’ Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group

Steve is a seasoned litigator with over 30 years of experience. He is a member of Aird & Berlis’ Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group and chairs the firm’s Class Action practice. His work spans class actions, securities, M&A, corporate, commercial, oppression, and privacy-related litigation.   

He has represented clients at all court levels, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and before regulatory bodies such as the Ontario Securities Commission. Steve has led internal investigations and advised on regulatory and enforcement matters. He’s consistently recognized in national and international legal rankings, particularly for directors’ and officers’ liability.   

Steve has defended numerous securities and consumer class actions and has acted in complex corporate disputes involving governance failures, insider trading, and misstatements in public disclosures. His clients have included Nortel, SNC-Lavalin, BCE, and Blackberry’s former co-CEO Mike Lazaridis. 


Amanda Voegeli, Managing Partner & CEO of CFA

Amanda is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Southlea Group. With over 25 years of experience, she is a trusted advisor to boards and management teams across Canada, offering strategic guidance on executive compensation, pay design, and governance. 

Prior to founding Southlea, Amanda led the Canadian Rewards practice at a major consulting firm. She brings a direct, business-minded approach to solving complex pay-related challenges. 

Amanda works across industries, with deep expertise in mining, asset management (including the Maple 8 pension plans), financial services, insurance, and technology. She is a respected voice in the asset management space and frequently advises boards on emerging trends in the sector.