Who Should Apply: DEP Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the DEP, applicants should have the following:

• Board Experience: Preference is given to DEP applicants who currently hold a director position on the board of a public or private company, not-for-profit organization, or Crown or public agency, or to those who have served as a board member on such an organization in the recent past. Preference is also generally given to those who have held independently-appointed board positions, as opposed to executive or ex-officio positions.
  
  While some consideration may also be given to applicants who have not served directly on boards but have extensive experience advising or otherwise working with boards (e.g. board/governance consultants, corporate secretaries, corporate counsel/lawyers, chartered accountants, auditors, etc.), it should be noted that the DEP admissions committee does not consider this to be a substitute for experience as a sitting director, but rather as a complimentary piece. Applicants are encouraged to have some board experience.
  
  
• Executive Experience: In addition to board experience, applicants should also have a successful track record of senior executive or professional experience. The DEP admissions committee is looking for individuals that have shown an ability to lead, innovate, and inspire success at the highest professional levels, and have developed both a breadth and depth of experience as a result – the same qualities that will, in turn, serve them well as directors.
  
  
• References: Applicants are required to provide letters from two independent, senior references that attest to the experience and character of the applicant and the applicant’s ability to contribute positively and knowledgeably to the group dynamic of the DEP.

Potential applicants that are unsure if their mix of board experience and executive experience is suitable for admission to the DEP are encouraged to consult with the ICD’s Director of Professional Development to discuss their eligibility.

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