2025 GOVERN for IMPACT Conference

NOTE:  Lunch provided for participants (12:30-1:30 pm)

A full day workshop which offers you the opportunity to learn about the Policy Governance®️ model. Through presentations, interactive small group exercises, and shared experiences deepen your understanding of the practices that enable a Board to effectively use this system of governance and appreciate how Policy Governance can positively affect the way your Board operates and overall organizational effectiveness.

NOTE:  LUNCH PROVIDED FOR PARTICIPANTS 12:30-1:30 PM

In today’s turbulent environment, where government frameworks and policies, funding stability, and global and local challenges are shifting rapidly, the relationship between the Board of Directors and the CEO has never been more critical. Boards and executive leaders must navigate increasing complexity while maintaining a high-functioning governance partnership that fosters strategic clarity, accountability, and resilience. This advanced, one-day governance training delves into the vital dynamics of the Board/CEO relationship, equipping leaders with the latest research, best practices, and practical strategies to strengthen their governance leadership. Participants will explore key factors influencing this essential relationship, including role clarity, CEO performance evaluation, compensation principles, and succession planning—critical components for organizations striving for long-term success.

Designed for Board Members, Board Chairs, Board Committee Chairs, CEOs, senior organizational leaders, governance consultants, and academics, this course provides an opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions and peer learning. Participants will critically examine emerging governance research, respond to its findings, and gain insights that can immediately enhance their governance practices. The session will be inspired by Policy Governance® principles. Through expert facilitation, case studies, and interactive dialogue, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of what it takes to build a resilient and high-performing Board/CEO partnership. The session will conclude with key takeaways and action items to help participants apply these insights in their own organizations, ensuring governance excellence in an era of rapid change and uncertainty.


Learning Goals
Participants in this Pre-conference Advanced Governance course will:

1) Examine Contemporary Research and Emerging Trends

• Explore current research literature on Board/CEO leadership dynamics.
• Discuss their implications for governance effectiveness.

2) Gain Insight into the Key Influencers of the Board/CEO Relationship

• Identify the factors that shape a productive and high-functioning Board/CEO relationship.
• Explore the multidimensional nature of this relationship, including trust, communication, and accountability.

3) Clarify Roles and Responsibilities for Effective Governance

• Define the distinct and complementary roles of the Board and the CEO.
• Discuss mechanisms to enhance role clarity and prevent governance dysfunction.

4) Understand Best Practices for CEO Performance Monitoring and Evaluation

• Examine critical frameworks for assessing CEO performance.
• Explore strategies for providing constructive monitoring feedback and aligning CEO performance with organizational Ends (Critical Outcomes).

5) Discuss Principles and Considerations in CEO Compensation

• Review key factors in designing fair and effective CEO compensation structures.
• Discuss the Board’s role in ensuring alignment between compensation, performance, and desired organizational outcomes/impacts.

6) Explore the Board’s Role in CEO Succession Planning

• Discuss governance responsibilities in ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

7) Synthesize Key Learnings to Strengthen Governance Practice

• Reflect on insights gained throughout the course.
• Develop action items and strategies to enhance governance leadership within participants’ organizations.

This session will ensure that participants leave with both theoretical knowledge and practical strategies to strengthen Board/CEO relationships and governance leadership.

In today’s rapidly changing and often unpredictable environment—both in education and beyond—strong, purpose-focused, values-driven governance is more essential than ever. While it is more critical than ever, it seems to be also more challenging in our current environment. This dynamic pre-conference course/workshop is designed specifically for school board members, superintendents, and senior education leaders who are ready to confront complexity with clarity and purpose. Governance will take centre stage in this interactive session that blends guided dialogue, peer learning, and focused deep dives into the real challenges and opportunities facing school boards today.

Participants will engage in candid roundtable discussions on topics they most want to explore—whether it’s managing board dynamics and dysfunction, improving challenging conversations around the board table, resolving philosophical divides, strengthening board-superintendent-community linkages, or sharpening decision-making and accountability processes. Come prepared to co-create a relevant agenda, share lived experiences, and walk away with actionable tools to elevate your board’s performance and impact. Together, we’ll refocus governance on what truly matters: advancing inclusive student success and bringing every board conversation back to the educational needs of children.