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Rotman School of Management | University of Toronto

The Rotman – CIOCAN

CIO Executive Leadership Program and the official CIO Designation ‘CIO.D™‘

‘CIO.D’ is a trademark of the CIO Association of Canada. Details subject to change.

Are you a Senior IT Leader looking to move into the CIO role? Are you currently a CIO looking to back up your experience with a CIO specific Executive Leadership Program? Interested in obtaining the official CIO designation (CIO.D) by the CIO Association of Canada?

The CIO Executive Leadership Program, delivered by the Rotman School of Management in partnership with CIOCAN, is the first and most important step in obtaining your official CIO.D and in developing the skills and experience to reinforce your role as a strategic Senior IT Leader and CIO.

This CIO Executive Leadership Program certification will grow your influence, earning potential, and respect.

The CIO Executive Leadership Program Details

The Next Cohort begins September, 2025!

  • This is a virtual on-line program
  • Hosted over the span of 5 weeks, 2 times per week – 3-hour sessions
  • Professionally facilitated by world renowned Professors from the esteemed Rotman School of Management
  • Small class-group setting to ensure maximum engagement and professor to student ratio
  • Upon successful completion of the program, a Certificate of Achievement will be granted
  • One time program fee, $9,750.00 + HST includes all sessions, resources, learning groups and case studies

What can you expect from this program?

  • Contribute to your organization’s strategic planning and success
  • Understand business financial statements/budgets and the bottom-line impact of IT
  • Position yourself as a meaningful member of the senior leadership team
  • Understand vendor/contract management skills
  • Understand GRC for your business
  • The skills for you to successfully become a business advocate and board advisor for all things technology
  • The ability to target delivery excellence and identify digital transformation areas
  • Develop modern approaches to talent management, DEI/ESG, and just as importantly: building your own brand!
  • Connections with thought leaders, executives in residence and high performing peers – like you!   

What can you expect from the official CIO.D?

  • Peer access to over 500 CIO’s and IT Leaders in our membership
  • Access to premium events and additional leadership programs designed for you and your certified CIO Alumni
  • The jump start you may need to obtain that next CIO position or the affirmation for your business and peers that you are not only an experienced CIO, but a certified CIO by the CIO Association of Canada Standards and Board

How to register for the next CIO Executive Leadership Program

The next cohort begins in September, 2025. We accept applications on a rolling basis, until the cohort is full. If you apply before any potential price increase we will honour $9,750 + HST.

Rotman – CIOCAN CIO Executive Leadership Program

CIO Executive Leadership Program Curriculum and Schedule

WEEK 1

Monday, September 15, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Welcome & Introductions
1:30 – 2:45CIO as a Leader
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30CIO as a Leader
Friday, September 19, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Key Takeaways from September 15
1:30 – 2:45Delivery Excellence for the CIO
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30Delivery Excellence for the CIO

WEEK 2

Monday, September 22, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Key Takeaways from September 19
1:30 – 2:45Finance
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30Finance
Friday, September 26, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Key Takeaways from September 22
1:30 – 2:45Governance, Risk and Compliance
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30Board and Relationship Management

WEEK 3

Monday, September 29, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Key Takeaways from September 26
1:30 – 2:45Digital Transformation
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30Digital Transformation
Friday, October 3, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Key Takeaways from September 29
1:30 – 2:45Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30Vendor and Contract Management

WEEK 4

Monday, October 6, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Key Takeaways from October 3
1:30 – 2:45Leading Teams and Development
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30Leading Teams and Development
Friday, October 10, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Key Takeaways from October 6
1:30 – 2:45Understanding Your IT Strategy
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30Understanding Your IT Strategy

WEEK 5

Tuesday, October 14, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Key Takeaways from October 10
1:30 – 2:45Cyber Security for the CIO
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30Cyber Security for the CIO
Friday, October 17, 2025
1:00 – 1:30Key Takeaways from October 14
1:30 – 2:45Executive Presence
2:45 – 3:00Break
3:00 – 4:30Executive Presence
4:30 – 4:45Program Wrap Up

Study Period: October 18 – November 4, 2025

Mock Exam: November 5, 2025 from 6:00 – 6:30pm EST

Final Exam: November 19, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00pm EST

Next steps… to obtain the official designation CIO.D

  • 3 years of verifiable experience in an IT leadership role.
  • Attended and successfully completed Rotman – CIOCAN CIO Executive Leadership Program.
  • Pay exam fee ($250.00 + HST) and pass the CIOCAN designation exam.
  • Fill out the CIO.D Application for approval and agree to our CIO.D Code of Conduct (link here).
  • Pay the annual CIO Association membership dues. To learn more visit CIOCAN Membership.
  • Obtain/maintain Continuing Education Credits on an annual basis (90 CPE’s over the 3 year period of your Designation. CIO Portal is under construction and will be launched shortly).
CPE details & Code of ConductCIOCAN Membership ApplicationCIO.D Application Form

Derek Cullen, CIO.D

CIO – Stikeman Elliott LLP, Director of Leadership ProgramS AT CIO Association of Canada AND GUEST INSTRUCTOR AT ROTMAN’S CIO Leadership Program

“I’ve researched and even achieved a lot of technical and leadership certifications and designations over the course of my career but have rarely run into an official CIO Designation or Certification. I am confident that the CIO.D is poised to be the official standard for CIO’s and Senior IT leaders everywhere. Whether you are an aspiring CIO looking to make the move to C level, an existing CIO looking to join this exclusive group of peers, or an organization looking to validate the competency of your next IT leader, the CIO.D is the new standard for excellence. The path to this designation via the Rotman School of Business @ U of T and official endorsement via CIO Association of Canada and their process, is a long-needed gateway to IT Leadership Competency. I am super excited to endorse this new standard in leadership excellence!”

Philippe Johnston

CIO – National Research Council of Canada and President, CIO Association of Canada

“I am so proud that the CIO Association of Canada has taken the next step to increase the visibility and legitimacy of the CIO/CTO/CDO role. We have seen the need and increased importance of having a competent, visionary, and business savvy Senior IM/IT Business leader at the C-Suite to drive value for businesses. This Certification will formalize those skills and competencies needed to be successful in this role and will ensure Canadian businesses, Not For Profit and Government organizations leverage technology to improve the delivery of their digital services to their customers. I am very excited that CIOCan has partnered with the prestigious Rotman’s school of business to be delivering what is sure to be an invaluable certification program for Canadian CIOs.”

Walid Hejazi

Professor of Economic Analysis and Policy at the Rotman School of Management, Academic Director of the Rotman Executive Programs

“While IQ and technical skills are important “threshold capabilities” required to become a successful leader, they are by themselves not enough. Managing and leading are very different. Far too often, those promoted into leadership roles find themselves quite unprepared for the significant challenges that come with leading. This program has been curated specifically for CIOs and aspiring CIOs to sharpen your leadership capabilities to ensure a smoother and more successful transition into more senior leadership roles. It’s time to take control of your leadership journey!”

Shari Wallace

CIO – Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

I have been a member of the Vancouver Chapter of the CIO Association of Canada for about 20 years and have held a number of board positions during that time, including chapter president and membership of the Peer Forum organizing committee.  In the early years of my career as a new IT director, the CIO Association was instrumental in introducing me to a wider group of senior IT executives both locally and nationally.  Their knowledge and experience helped me understand that many of my day-to-day challenges were shared with other professionals in other industries.  That sense of a safe space and common experience was invaluable in building confidence in my new role, and in providing ballast for difficult discussions within my own organization.  I consider many of the CIOs in the local chapter to be friends as well as trusted colleagues.  Beyond the local chapter, the CIO Association has also extended the reach of my network into the local partner and educational community, including Simon Fraser University where CIOCAN and SFU jointly offer the Technology Leadership Program to help IT professionals learn the necessary skills to progress to the CIO level.  As a seasoned CIO, I am also happy to be able to provide mentoring opportunities for senior IT professionals – both through SFU and the CIO Association’s own program.  For me, CIOCAN represents community.

This program is developed in partnership with the Rotman School of Management.