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The DCRO
Risk Governance
Institute
  • Home
  • Credentials
  • Communities
  • Courses
  • Testimonials
  • Resource Hub
  • How Do I Do That?
  • News
  • About Us
  • Our Learning Platform

Publications

Building a Better Board SeriesGuiding Principles DocumentsOur Opportunities SeriesThriving in the Age of Strategy Disruption™ SeriesPersonal Development SeriesUse Our Intelligent Research Assistant

Building a Better Board

We begin with this fundamental idea: all organizations must learn to embrace risk-taking in order to thrive. We must know how to respond to events we did not anticipate. And we must do our work in ways that help us reach our corporate goals most effectively. The example set by the board and C-suite around risk leads to a positive change i

We begin with this fundamental idea: all organizations must learn to embrace risk-taking in order to thrive. We must know how to respond to events we did not anticipate. And we must do our work in ways that help us reach our corporate goals most effectively. The example set by the board and C-suite around risk leads to a positive change in mindset that cascades throughout the organization. Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific goals.

Boards of directors can transform the environment wherein risk is taken well – what we call risk governance – to make the most effective use of precious resources. By thoughtfully approaching risk-taking and using it as a positive,  strategic tool for growth, directors can collectively and individually adopt the positive governance of ris

Boards of directors can transform the environment wherein risk is taken well – what we call risk governance – to make the most effective use of precious resources. By thoughtfully approaching risk-taking and using it as a positive,  strategic tool for growth, directors can collectively and individually adopt the positive governance of risk-taking – something that will cascade throughout the company at every level.

In this article, the third in our series on Building a Better Board, we examine five key factors behind boards' successful performance and how to evaluate whether your board meets the standard. 

In this article, the fourth in our series on Building a Better Board, we ask board members who serve with Qualified Risk Directors®  about the value that their unique understanding of risk brings to board discussions. 

In this article, the fifth in our series on Building a Better Board, we look at five critical elements to realizing board success in developing and implementing succession plans.

In this article, the sixth in our series on Building a Better Board, we detail seven factors that boards must ensure are in place to navigate uncertain times successfully.

In this article, the seventh in our series, we explore how hidden attitudes towards risk among board members and executives can be a primary driver of success or an impediment. Because the future is more difficult to predict than ever, we need to ensure that our individual attitudes toward risk foster a dynamic and adaptive organization. 

In this article, the seventh in our series, we explore how hidden attitudes towards risk among board members and executives can be a primary driver of success or an impediment. Because the future is more difficult to predict than ever, we need to ensure that our individual attitudes toward risk foster a dynamic and adaptive organization.  This article will help you understand how critical it is to understand both individual risk personalities and whether you have the right mix of these attitudes among board members and executives. 

In this article, the eighth in our series, we explore how those who understand how threats impact decision-making and embrace the positive governance of risk-taking mindset, periods of disruption are less disconcerting and may even unlock immense value. By adopting a mindset that understands and addresses our natural responses to threats 

In this article, the eighth in our series, we explore how those who understand how threats impact decision-making and embrace the positive governance of risk-taking mindset, periods of disruption are less disconcerting and may even unlock immense value. By adopting a mindset that understands and addresses our natural responses to threats and uncertainty, leaders can position their organizations to act decisively when others hesitate. Strategic risk governance like this enables boards to rise above the noise, turning disruption into a normalized business environment rife with opportunities.

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Guiding Principles Documents

Practical guidance for boards on the need, creation, and effective use of Board Risk Committees.

 Practical guidance for boards on the integration of Compensation (Remuneration) Committees in the governance of risk-taking.

Practical guidance for boards on their fiduciary duties around Cyber Risk Governance.

The original guidelines for boards to assess if they have members with the traits of Qualified Risk Directors® serving.

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Our Focus on Opportunities

Cybersecurity

Technology and Ethics

Cybersecurity

 While cybersecurity is on the agenda of most companies, it's often talked about only in the realm of loss or threat. For your board to be most effective at using technology and innovation, we need to transition to discussing cybersecurity in the context of achieving goals.

Innovation

Technology and Ethics

Cybersecurity

 Innovation is the necessary engine to thrive in the long run. But what are the essential truths about establishing an effective risk-taking environment of innovation at your organization? This article guides your board and C-suite executives to a more robust approach to sustainable value creation. 

Technology and Ethics

Technology and Ethics

Technology and Ethics

 Boards are expected to govern an organization's embrace or rejection of AI. To meet those expectations, board members must quickly understand how their organizations are using AI, what vulnerabilities it brings, how it can massively scale the organization's upside potential, where the opportunity to innovate lies, and what level of unexp

 Boards are expected to govern an organization's embrace or rejection of AI. To meet those expectations, board members must quickly understand how their organizations are using AI, what vulnerabilities it brings, how it can massively scale the organization's upside potential, where the opportunity to innovate lies, and what level of unexpected outcomes they are willing (or not willing) to accept.
 

In this article, we highlight key takeaways from experts across the risk governance, ethics, and innovation realm to give directors a sense of where to start, what questions to ask, and how boards around the world govern AI risk-taking best.

Security Diversity

Technology and Ethics

Technology and Ethics

When many call to mind the profile of a typical board director, they think of executives with deep operational or finance experience – often a former CEO or other C-level executive with specific industry expertise. But, in an age when the business environment is changing at a lightning pace and ongoing geopolitical shifts will change the 

When many call to mind the profile of a typical board director, they think of executives with deep operational or finance experience – often a former CEO or other C-level executive with specific industry expertise. But, in an age when the business environment is changing at a lightning pace and ongoing geopolitical shifts will change the strategic environment in ways most of us have never experienced, there is a growing need for diverse thinking and geopolitical intelligence in the boardroom, and not just that which you hire for a semi-annual or annual briefing.   We highlight five people with experience in intelligence, law enforcement, and strategic business planning, looking at the diverse and unique experience each brings to these important board discussions. 

Developing Markets

Developing Markets

 The challenges that boards of companies in developing markets face are complex, especially when extended in time. That's why risk governance expertise becomes even more valuable - giving those named Qualified Risk Directors® and those holding other risk governance credentials a vital opportunity to contribute to the governance of these c

 The challenges that boards of companies in developing markets face are complex, especially when extended in time. That's why risk governance expertise becomes even more valuable - giving those named Qualified Risk Directors® and those holding other risk governance credentials a vital opportunity to contribute to the governance of these companies with significant impact. In June 2022, more than 60 IFC Nominee Directors from more than 25 countries enrolled in the DCRO Institute Board Members’ Course on Risk®. Several of those enrolled have further been credentialed as Qualified Risk Directors®.

Based on these learnings, their perspectives on board service in developing markets have taken a new direction. We asked five IFC Nominee Directors for stories of how their board service has been impacted by the new perspectives they gained.

Extraordinary Risk

Developing Markets

 In areas where new technologies and challenging missions are involved, demands for risk governance are significantly increased. Achieving a balance between embracing risk to achieve corporate purpose and renewal, and protecting assets by being resilient to unexpected events is often a delicate balance for directors. The DCRO Institute's 

 In areas where new technologies and challenging missions are involved, demands for risk governance are significantly increased. Achieving a balance between embracing risk to achieve corporate purpose and renewal, and protecting assets by being resilient to unexpected events is often a delicate balance for directors. The DCRO Institute's motto, "innovate, sustain, create value," is derived from this mindset called "the positive governance of risk-taking." 


Despite the increased need, however, risk governance in frontier areas often emerges alongside the technologies and innovations it is meant to govern. With so much in motion across many frontiers, directors in these critical and fast-moving areas often learn in real-time or look to outside sources for guidance.


We asked four directors from the DCRO Institute community how they are approaching risk governance in their pioneering work.

Based on these learnings, their perspectives on board service in developing markets have taken a new direction. We asked five IFC Nominee Directors for stories of how their board service has been impacted by the new perspectives they gained.

Nonprofit Service

 For many executives, serving within the nonprofit sector offers a meaningful path to leveraging their holistic career experience and functional expertise to give back to their communities and the causes they care about. Serving on a nonprofit board helps leaders broaden their perspectives on corporate social responsibility, community engagement, and nonprofit governance.

Middle East and Africa

Board governance of risk-taking across the Middle East and Africa encompasses a vast range of challenges and opportunities. Many countries within this important region face persistent political  instability  and  geopolitical risk, regulatory and compliance complexities, changing cultural norms, and the constant threat of the looming clim

Board governance of risk-taking across the Middle East and Africa encompasses a vast range of challenges and opportunities. Many countries within this important region face persistent political  instability  and  geopolitical risk, regulatory and compliance complexities, changing cultural norms, and the constant threat of the looming climate crisis. Even more challenging, many countries in this area operate under regimes with reputations for corruption and a frustrating lack of transparency to investors. 


In recent years, these issues have given way to a new wave of governance, a re-embracing of foundational enterprise risk management and governing frameworks. Throughout these regions, opportunities continue to sprout despite the challenges mentioned above.  


The DCRO Institute spoke with several Qualified Risk Directors® and risk leaders across the Middle East and Africa to glean on-the-ground insights. These leaders offer candid insights and a hopeful outlook. 

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Thriving in the Age of Strategy Disruption™

Navigating the Future

Navigating the Future

Volume One: Boards and executives are in the middle of a phenomenon we’ve identified as “The Age of Strategy Disruption." This era is characterized by unprecedented technological advancements, market volatility, the incessant emergence of disruptive innovations, geopolitical volatility, health and climate crises, and more.

AI & Risk Governance

Navigating the Future

Volume Two: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a transformative force across various sectors, necessitating a strategic integration into organizational frameworks to harness its full potential. It is rapidly transforming the landscape of boardwork and

especially risk governance, presenting unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges for boards to grapple with.

Cybersecurity

Volume Three: A prospective investor writes a letter to the company board, looking at what might knock them off-course or severely disrupt their relationships with customers, suppliers, regulators, and more. What might cause them to fail to deliver on expectations? High on their list of must-haves or must-sees among the many disruptors af

Volume Three: A prospective investor writes a letter to the company board, looking at what might knock them off-course or severely disrupt their relationships with customers, suppliers, regulators, and more. What might cause them to fail to deliver on expectations? High on their list of must-haves or must-sees among the many disruptors affecting work is how cybersecurity and technology risk governance are a fundamental aspect of daily activities and forward-looking plans.

Climate Risk

Volume Four: A five-checkpoint framework for corporate boards to effectively oversee climate-related risks. The framework stresses the importance of robust communication, compliance, and a fit-for-purpose board with relevant expertise. Furthermore, it highlights integrating climate risk into enterprise risk management, building resilience

Volume Four: A five-checkpoint framework for corporate boards to effectively oversee climate-related risks. The framework stresses the importance of robust communication, compliance, and a fit-for-purpose board with relevant expertise. Furthermore, it highlights integrating climate risk into enterprise risk management, building resilience through proactive planning and stakeholder engagement, and actively pursuing climate-related opportunities for enhanced value creation. 

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Personal Development

What does it take?

What does it take?

Like all good things, finding the right seat takes work. More importantly, being prepared to be an effective board member, and working among a small group of equally, if not more successful, people has its own challenges.  We're here to help you build from your remarkable foundation to the self-actualization of your career - your diverse skills and experience matched to the right board seat.

How to stand out

What does it take?

 A core strength of every successful director or executive is a desire for continuous learning.  It is an essential process - much in the same way that organizations must continuously renew to stay relevant - that we ask questions, gain new perspectives, and attain new knowledge. In this brief article, four Qualified  Risk Directors® shar

 A core strength of every successful director or executive is a desire for continuous learning.  It is an essential process - much in the same way that organizations must continuously renew to stay relevant - that we ask questions, gain new perspectives, and attain new knowledge. In this brief article, four Qualified  Risk Directors® share their experiences, hoping to give you motivation and reason to differentiate yourself further and broaden your board credentials.

Have an Impact

Since being given permission to use the prestigious Qualified Risk Director® designation, Lale Saral Develioglu, QRD®, has been appointed the chair of four board risk committees. Learn more about Lale, her view of risk governance, and her role as

the new chair of the DCRO Institute Qualified Risk Director® Governance Council.

Bring Your Group

WomenExecs on Boards

(WEoB) is a pioneering group of Harvard Business School Executive Ed alumnae. They 

promote gender equality

and excellence in corporate governance worldwide – and they

partner with the DCRO Institute to

advance how organizations positively govern risk-taking. Learn more and bring your group to an Affinity Partnership with us.


Learn from Others

Learn from Others

Learn from Others

Are you thinking about how to use your talents in this critical area best to serve on a board of directors? For many, how to turn a successful executive career into a seat on the board is still a bit of a mystery or even an exercise in frustration. In this latest article from the DCRO Institute, we share how you can approach your ascenden

Are you thinking about how to use your talents in this critical area best to serve on a board of directors? For many, how to turn a successful executive career into a seat on the board is still a bit of a mystery or even an exercise in frustration. In this latest article from the DCRO Institute, we share how you can approach your ascendency to the boardroom, including the stories of four highly successful leaders who are currently in the process. 

Learn With Others

Learn from Others

Learn from Others

Guided study cohorts are ideal ways for Affinity Partners, corporate groups, or others looking to share the progression through our credential programs. Board members and senior executives from Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Angola, Botswana, Uganda, Zambia, and the UAE, talk about their experience and how it changed their perspectives on risk.

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Intelligent Research Assistant

Ask our research librarian any questions about best practices in risk governance in any language, and she will guide you to the most relevant information from our publications and research. Whether you need assistance drafting a memo, an email, or suggesting an outline for a presentation on nearly any subject related to risk governance, our AI research assistant is here to help.


The DCRO Institute regularly publishes materials to help you implement best-practice risk governance. These include our Building a Better Board series, Opportunities series, and Guiding Principles documents. Combining these publications with our industry-leading AI tool provides some of the most insightful and tailored content available to meet your specific needs.


Try some of these prompts by clicking on the graphic above:


  • How do I communicate the importance of risk governance to my board colleagues?
  • Please write a 500-word memo requesting an increased budget for our risk management initiatives.
  • How will diverse perspectives in our group impact risk?
  • How do you suggest I advance my chance to land a board seat?
  • Will Artificial Intelligence be a boon or increase the risks we face?
  • Could you please draft an email to our board on how to best govern the risk of Artificial Intelligence?


These are just some examples. We hope you'll experiment with more.


IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The guidance provided here is general in nature and may not be appropriate for your specific situation. It should not be considered as a substitute for specific guidance provided by legal counsel or other professional advisor. We offer these publications and the library utility for information purposes only. While we seek to provide accurate results, we cannot guarantee such. We are not liable for how you use the information provided here or the results of your decisions based on any information provided. Your use of these resources indicates your acceptance of these terms.

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