About the DCRO Institute

The DCRO Institute offers world-class credentialing programs, networking, learning, and development opportunities that focus on the positive governance of risk-taking and the practical aspects of risk governance needed to pursue corporate goals and fulfill the purpose of our organizations.

Our board risk governance courses are taught by peer board members and C-suite executives from around the world with experience in a highly diverse set of industries. They are designed for current and aspiring board members as well as those senior executives who work directly with boards and board members.

We emphasize the positive use of risk and risk knowledge in the strategic planning and execution of plans at organizations of all sizes worldwide. We develop the people to do that work as Qualified Risk  Directors® and Qualified Risk Experts™, and offer advanced credentials like the Certificate in Risk Governance®, the Certificate in Cyber Risk Governance®, and our Strategic Specialization Certificates, that communicate the necessary seriousness about risk governance by individual credential holders and the companies that engage them.

As part of our nonprofit mission, we actively work to advance underrepresented groups on boards and provide content to those in developing markets with substantial scholarship discounts. 

Our credential holders are leaders in boardrooms and C-suites on six continents and in more than 60 countries. Our faculty members are among the world’s best C-level executives, board members, and authors who focus on risk-taking and risk governance.

Our goal, which is emblazoned on our logo, is to help you and your organization to Innovate, Sustain, and Create Value. 

The DCRO Institute utilizes a Networked and Distributive Governance model, which includes a veto board comprised of stakeholders in the success of the organization. In this model, the Board of Directors and staff establish strategy and conduct regular business operations with transparency to the Stakeholder Representative Council. The Stakeholder Representative Council is empowered with veto authority over any Board decisions on material changes in strategy or mission, disposition of assets, and compensation of executives. As its name suggests, this body is to represent the interests of various stakeholders in the organization, including Qualified Risk Directors®, Qualified Risk Experts™, faculty members, Affinity Partners, and other credential holders.

The DCRO Institute is dedicated to advancing the practice and recognition of risk governance globally. To support this mission, the Board of Directors of the DCRO Institute has established the Qualified Risk Director® Governance Council as an idependent body. The Council is tasked with overseeing the standards for approval to use the Qualified Risk Director® (QRD®) designation, and providing guidance on the marketing and placement of individuals who have been approved to use the designation. The Council ensures the integrity and credibility of the QRD® designation, thereby enhancing the contributions of its holders to effective risk governance. 

The DCRO Institute is dedicated to advancing the practice and recognition of risk governance globally. To support this mission, the Board of Directors of the DCRO Institute has established the Qualified Risk Expert™  Governance Council. The Council is tasked with overseeing the standards for approval to use the Qualified Risk Expert™ (QRE™) designation, and providing guidance on the marketing and placement of individuals who have been approved to use the designation. The Council operates as an independent body, part of the DCRO Institute networked and distributive governance model. By maintaining rigorous standards and promoting the value of the QRE™ designation, the Council ensures the integrity and credibility of the QRE™ designation. 

The Education Committee is established as an advisory body to ensure that the Institute’s educational programs and resources remain current, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of board members, senior executives, and risk governance professionals worldwide. The Committee shall work closely with the Qualified Risk Director® (QRD®) Governance Council to maintain the rigor of the training program underlying the QRD® designation, coordinate with the Qualified Risk Expert™ Governance Council on changes to QRE™ requirements impacting educational content, and engage the Institute’s global community to facilitate peer-based interactive learning.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the United States, we are required to file annual reports with the Internal Revenue Service. These Form 990 reports are available to the public. ProPublica provides a convenient summary of those filings here.

Our Governance Documents

• Bylaws
• Stakeholder Representative Council Charter
• QRD®  Governance Council Charter
• QRE™  Governance Council Charter
• Education Committee Charter