The first cohort of 34 participants graduated recently from the Rotman School of Management with their CIO Executive Leadership certificate and a CIO designation (CIO.D). The recipients of the new CIO.D designation advance their knowledge, career, and the respect they’re due from their organizations.
Awarding these designations represents a significant milestone for the CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN) and the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, which partnered to develop the CIO Executive Leadership Program during the last two years. The unique program develops the skills and experience that reinforce the role and value of senior IT leaders and CIOs.
“We’re excited to have launched the CIO.D designation in collaboration with Rotman,” says Derek Cullen, the National Director of Leadership Development at CIOCAN. “it’s been a two-year collaborative journey from concept to approval to curriculum development to enrollment and now graduation.”
The first cohort quickly filled the virtual program’s available seats, suggesting significant demand. They came from all sectors of the economy and all parts of Canada. The program appeals to senior-level IT executives wanting to validate that their experience has prepared them for a C-Level CIO role.
“During the CIO leadership program, I appreciated the excellent management content and exposure to leadership tools I can apply to my organization’s success,” said Steven Le, the Director of IT Business Solutions at Keyera, a midstream energy processing company in Calgary, Alberta. “I look forward to maintaining relationships with my peers as we discover shared opportunities and confront industry challenges.”
The next cohort of the virtual online CIO leadership program starts in September 2024. World-renowned professors from the Rotman School of Management professionally facilitate the program. The duration is five weeks, two times per week, for 3-hour sessions and culminates with an examination.
The prerequisites are 3-years of senior IT leadership experience, an undergraduate degree, relevant references and adherence to a code of conduct.
Graduates become part of a unique CIO community that engages in continuing education requirements and offers peer collaboration.
Through the CIO leadership program, CIOCAN wants to advance the idea that CIOs deserve a seat at the executive table, given the importance of information technology in all sectors of the Canadian economy.