Ivey Business School and Governance Professionals of Canada Award First Governance Leadership Designations

Ivey Business School Executive Education and Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC) are proud to announce the first recipients of the Governance Leadership Designation (GLD), a new designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in governance leadership through rigorous assessment and mastery of governance principles.

The first cohort received their designations in June 2026, marking an important milestone in the continued development of governance professionals and executives across Canada. Fifteen recipients earned the GLD by completing the Ivey-GPC Governance Leadership Program and passing the Governance Leadership Designation exam.

"We wanted to create something that went beyond traditional governance education — a rigorous leadership designation designed not only for experienced governance professionals, but also senior executives and board members who are already operating at a high level, but who want to deepen their ability to lead and influence within increasingly complex organizations.”

— Lynn Beauregard, President, Governance Professionals of Canada 

The GLD is designed to communicate a recipient’s advanced governance leadership capabilities and recognize the commitment required to achieve a high standard of excellence in the field. By combining applied learning with formal assessment, the designation reflects both practical understanding and deep knowledge of governance principles.

"The Governance Leadership Designation reflects our commitment to recognizing the leaders who are raising the standard for governance in Canada. The GLD signals not only strong knowledge of governance principles, but also the judgment, discipline, and leadership needed to apply them in complex organizational settings. We’re proud to celebrate the first recipients and the meaningful contribution they will make to governance practice across the country.”

— Bryan Benjamin, Executive Director, Ivey Executive Education

The Ivey-GPC Governance Leadership Program is part of a broader effort to strengthen governance capacity and support professionals who play a critical role in board leadership and organizational oversight.

About the Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC)

Governance Professionals of Canada is the leading voice for governance professionals nationwide, advancing best practices, professional development, and excellence in governance since 1994. GPC empowers its members with the tools, education, and community to support good governance across all sectors.

About Ivey Business School

Ivey Business School at Western University is Canada’s leading provider of case-based business education. Renowned for its world-class case writing and teaching methodology, Ivey is one of the world’s largest producer of original business cases in the world. Ivey’s programs—including its top-ranked Executive Education offerings—prepare leaders to meet the demands of a complex, dynamic world with competence, character, and commitment.

For more information about the program and upcoming announcements, visit go.ivey.ca/gplp.

Media Contact:

Sean Acklin Grant
Director, Executive Programs
Ivey Business School
sgrant@ivey.ca