Corporate governance is the system through which organizations are directed, supervised, and held accountable to shareholders and other stakeholders. At the center of this system is the board of directors, whose responsibilities extend far beyond legal oversight. Modern boards influence corporate strategy, executive succession, capital allocation, enterprise risk, mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation, regulatory compliance, organizational culture, cybersecurity, sustainability, and long-term value creation. Effective governance requires directors to balance strategic vision with fiduciary responsibility while making informed decisions in environments characterized by uncertainty, competing stakeholder interests, and significant financial consequences.
This advanced course provides a practical, executive-oriented study of corporate governance through the perspective of board-level leadership. Rather than concentrating on legal doctrine or introductory governance concepts, the course immerses students in the responsibilities, decision-making processes, and strategic oversight expected of directors serving on corporate boards. The board simulation component exposes students to realistic governance situations involving executive reporting, strategic investments, financial oversight, crisis management, acquisitions, succession planning, shareholder engagement, regulatory challenges, and enterprise transformation.
Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on practical governance frameworks used by public companies, privately held corporations, multinational enterprises, family businesses, financial institutions, healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, private equity portfolio companies, venture-backed firms, and government-owned enterprises. Students will develop executive-level capabilities required to contribute effectively as directors, committee members, executive officers, corporate secretaries, governance professionals, and trusted advisors to boards of directors.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Understand the strategic responsibilities and fiduciary duties of boards of directors.
• Evaluate governance structures that support long-term enterprise performance.
• Analyze board-level decisions involving corporate strategy, finance, executive leadership, and enterprise risk.
• Design governance processes that strengthen accountability, transparency, and organizational resilience.
• Evaluate executive performance and succession from a board perspective.
• Integrate governance into mergers and acquisitions, innovation, digital transformation, and capital allocation decisions.
• Strengthen board oversight of financial reporting, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk.
• Improve board-level communication, committee effectiveness, and stakeholder engagement.
• Simulate executive board deliberations using practical governance frameworks.
• Apply ethical leadership principles to board decision-making and corporate stewardship.
