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Technology Leadership Program

Elevate your leadership journey with the Technology Leadership Program, offered by Simon Fraser University, Beedie School of Business, in partnership with the CIO Association of Canada. Since 2008, this program has served seasoned technology executives and aspiring CIOs, providing a blend of strategic leadership skills and technological expertise to shape your organization’s success.

As the role of Chief Information Officer evolves, so do the demands for strategic leadership beyond technical proficiency. This program equips you with the confidence, skills, and knowledge to navigate this dynamic landscape. Empower yourself to lead strategic change initiatives with vision and collaboration, taking your career to the next level. Join a diverse cohort of peers from various industries, building a powerful network that extends far beyond the program.

The Technology Leadership Program is designed for professionals across industries who aim to advance from a mid-level IT management or senior technical leadership position to an executive-level role. The program develops strategic leadership and decision-making capabilities, empowering technology leaders to drive strategic change initiatives with vision and collaboration.

Through a 14-week immersive experience featuring online modules, facilitated discussions, and a self-paced change project, you'll gain actionable insights from esteemed faculty members and industry experts. This program also offers the invaluable benefit of networking with peers from various industries, enhancing your learning experience, and broadening your professional horizon.

Simon Fraser University’s experienced faculty and industry experts will help you gain the confidence, skills, and knowledge to navigate the evolving CIO landscape. Take the next step in your career and become a transformative leader in the digital age. Explore the intersection of business and technology and unlock your full potential with the CIOCAN Technology Leadership Program. Apply now to be considered for a priority seat in our upcoming cohort.

The 2024 schedule can be accessed by clicking the link below.

View Schedule

Networking and Mentorship

Within a small cohort, you will build your network with peers, senior CIOCAN members, and established CIOs who have "been there" and can play crucial roles in guiding and facilitating your learning and career.

CIOCAN Membership

Acceptance to the program includes a one-year Associate membership to the CIO Association of Canada* (*Subject to participant eligibility).

Skills Developed in the Program
  • Strategic Thinking: Develop a holistic view and strategic thinking to navigate the fast-changing technological landscape.
  • Leadership at All Levels: Understand and exercise leadership from any organizational position, not just as the boss.
  • Effective Change Leadership: Lead change effectively with vision, strong communication, collaboration, and decisive action while building trust and strong team relationships.
  • Personal Development: Recognize personal strengths and areas for growth, develop reflective practices, and embrace continuous learning.
  • Business Fundamentals: Master business fundamentals by identifying key elements of effective business cases, and understanding project vs. operations distinctions, and conditions for successful change.
  • Enhanced Decision-Making: Enhance decision-making skills by understanding agent-principal dynamics and differentiating between generic and specific contributions of information systems.
  • Strategic Alignment: Align business and IT strategies effectively.
  • Evaluate the opportunities and challenges presented by Generative AI technologies within organizational contexts.
  • Develop strategies for effectively navigating the complex landscapes of projects and programs involving AI technologies.
  • Digital Transformation: Tackle digital transformation challenges, understand Board governance of technology, and communicate effectively with the Board.

To apply, complete the online application form and submit the appropriate documentation (CV/Resume). Each application is reviewed in partnership with CIO Canada and Beedie’s admissions committee to ensure applicants are eligible and the right fit for the program.

Applicants will be notified about acceptance to the program if they meet all of the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility

Applicants should already be responsible for strategic decision-making beyond systems and technology and should have at least 3-5 years of senior management experience in an IT role.

Recent participants include:

  • VP IT
  • Senior Manager, Application Services
  • CIO/Software Development Manager
  • Director, Digital Solutions and Business Technology
  • Senior Manager, Business Intelligence & Analytics
  • Director of IT, Solutions & Support
  • Manager, Enterprise Architecture
Technical Requirements

This program will be delivered online over Zoom and requires access to this platform. Terms and conditions for Zoom usage can be found here. This program requires an operating system with a stable internet connection, microphone, webcam, and the latest version of Google Chrome.

Apply now to our September 2024 cohort!

  • Current CIO Association of Canada Members: $3,850 plus 5% GST, which covers all program fees.
  • Non-Members: $4,300 plus 5% GST, which covers all program fees, and includes a 1-year CIOCAN Associate membership if eligible.
If you are not eligible for the CIOCAN membership, you will pay the member fee of $3,850 but will not receive the 1-year CIOCAN Associate membership.

Dr. Andrew Gemino

Associate Dean, Executive Education, and Professor, Management Information Systems, SFU Beedie School of Business

Dr. Andrew Gemino is a Professor and serves as SFU Beedie's Dean pro-tem. He has twice received the Canada Trust Distinguished Teacher award from SFU Beedie. Andrew’s academic research focuses on IT project management, business systems analysis, and the design of technology-mediated collaborative environments. He holds a grant from the National Sciences and Research Council of Canada (NSERC). He also co-founded a software company that develops commercial software for professional sports teams in the NHL and NBA and automated employee scheduling for sports and entertainment companies. Andrew also provides his expertise to the Surgeon Information System Working Group for the Provincial Surgical Oncology Council, affiliated with the BC Cancer Agency.

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Dr. Blaize Horner Reich

Professor Emerita, Management Information Systems and Innovation & Entrepreneurship, SFU Beedie School of Business

Dr. Blaize Horner Reich came to academia after 15 years as an information technology professional and consultant in Canada and Asia. Today, Blaize is the RBC Professor of Technology and Innovation at SFU Beedie, an internationally respected researcher and speaker. Her research and teaching interests focus on supporting boards during digital transformation and improving the value delivered from technology projects. She has served as Associate Dean, Graduate Programs, and Dean of SFU Beedie School of Business. Blaize has many years of service on corporate boards, including Industrial Alliance Pacific Life Insurance Company (1999-2012), Central 1 Credit Union (2016-2021), and BC Automobile Association (2017 – current; Chair, Business Transformation sub-committee). She is a founding director of the CIO Association of Canada and was an ICTC director. Dr. Reich has been honoured as a WXN Top 100 Women in Canada and was named an Academic Fellow by the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes.

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Dr. Peter Tingling

Associate Professor, Management Information Systems, SFU Beedie School of Business

Dr. Peter Tingling joined SFU Beedie from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, where his thesis focused on technological decision-making in an organizational context. Although Peter has had a long association with higher education and has taught at several business schools, he also spent more than two decades in the information technology industries, working in several senior line staff positions as well as consulting for a diverse range of Fortune 500 and start-up organizations across North America. He is a 2004 Literati Club research award winner and received a 2007 TD Canada Trust Distinguished Teaching Award. Peter is also the president and CEO of Octothorpe Software Corporation, a decision sciences company.

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Dr. Sandy MacIver

Instructor in CIOCAN program/Part-time Lecturer, SFU Beedie School of Business

Dr. Sandy MacIver has spent the last 45 years learning and teaching leadership, teamwork, company values, systems thinking, trust, and trust-building. He has factored knowledge in these fields into his three overlapping careers. Sandy has done thirty-three years (and counting) of consulting, executive coaching, and working with CEOs and other senior executives. He has advised and assisted in improving performance and working relationships in the workplace, leading applied learning programs, and building engaged and productive organizational cultures. His work has spanned North America. Sandy has taught scores of leadership and organization-related classes at four different universities, starting in 1987. Sandy also teaches leadership in the Manager of Technology MBA program at SFU and the Values-Based Leadership Certificate at RRU. Sandy's cut his career 'teeth' in public sector planning and policy for ten years.

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Jeffrey-Yip

Dr. Jeffrey Yip

Assistant Professor, Management & Organization Studies, SFU Beedie School of Business

Jeffrey Yip is an Assistant Professor of Management at the Beedie School of Business. His research focuses on leadership, mentoring, and career development. Prior to joining SFU, Jeffrey gained extensive professional experience in leadership development at the Center for Creative Leadership. He also co-founded the Halogen Foundation in Singapore and has consulted for various public and private organizations. Jeffrey's academic background includes teaching graduate courses in organizational psychology, interpersonal dynamics, and talent management at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) and Boston University. At CGU, he directed the Talent Science Lab and served as an advisor to the Accenture Talent Innovation Lab. Currently, Jeffrey directs ListeningWorks, a research initiative focused on the study of listening. He also serves as a representative-at-large for the Academy of Management Careers Division. His contributions to academia have been recognized with prestigious research fellowships and awards, including a Fulbright Scholarship, the Lim Kim San Fellowship from Singapore Management University, a research fellowship from the Learning Innovations Laboratory (LILA) at Harvard University, and the Arnon Reichers Best Paper award from the Academy of Management.

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Program Brochure

Download PDF Brochure

The big revelation for me was that the IT industry is geo-agnostic. We had an incredibly diverse group of participants from across Canada in the course. By talking to people across the country, you can learn a lot more about adversity and how to overcome challenging circumstances.

Archana Nirad

Chief Information Officer

BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA)

TLP: Archana