Designed for Chief Human Resource Officers
Designed exclusively for CHROs and executive human capital professionals
Dual Certificate from UCI and UCLA
Official certificate from the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business and UCLA Anderson School of Management
UC Irvine Merage Alumni Status
Receive Alumni Status upon completion and join 18,000+ alumni worldwide
Mastery of Governance and Fiduciary Responsibility
Participants will gain a robust understanding of board governance fundamentals, fiduciary duties, and oversight requirements, equipping them to uphold ethical standards and ensure effective board composition and infrastructure.
Advanced Financial and Strategic Acumen
The program provides participants with essential financial reporting expertise and insight into audit and regulatory compliance, empowering them to make sound financial decisions and navigate the complexities of corporate strategy, mergers, and acquisitions.
Proficiency in Risk, ESG, and Digital Transformation
Through focused sessions on risk management, cybersecurity, ESG considerations, and digital transformation, participants will be prepared to address modern challenges, including handling activist shareholders, managing executive compensation, and leading through technology-driven changes.
A Unique University of California Collaboration
UC Irvine's Leadership Development Institute and UCLA Anderson Executive Education are joining forces with the UCLA Human Resources Round Table (HARRT) to offer this exclusive, one-of-a-kind offering in Corporate Governance for Chief Human and Talent Officers.
Developing Future Corporate Directors
Immerse yourself in a comprehensive 3-month certificate program, earning exclusive UC Irvine Merage School of Business alumni status. Customized for ambitious Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) aiming for board director roles, this program provides a thorough curriculum vital for effective board leadership and strategic decision-making.
Curriculum
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1
General Program Information
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Welcome!
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Contact Directory
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Program Live Sessions Schedule
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Attendance Policy
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2
Session One: Opening - The Leadership Case for CHRO Board Directors
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Live Virtual Session: February 28th, 2025 with Prof. Noah Askin, Ph.D. [9:00am - 11:00am PST]
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Session One Description
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Required Pre-Reading One: Case: The Uber Board Deliberates, Bruce Kogut, Columbia Business School, May 13, 2019
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Required Pre-Reading Two: Case: Article: “Inside Uber’s Aggressive, Unrestrained Workplace Culture,” Mike Isaac, The New York Times, February 22, 2017.
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Recommended Readings
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Session One Presentation
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Session One Evaluation
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Session One Recording
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Session Two: Introduction & The Role of the Board
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Live Virtual Session: March 7, 2025 with Prof. Carla Hayn, Ph.D. [9:00am - 10:30am PST]
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Session Two Description
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Required Pre-Reading One: Article: “5 Core Responsibilities of Any Great Board of Directors,” Alexander Puutio, Forbes, Sept. 25, 2024.
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Required Pre-Reading Two: Case: The Uber Board Deliberates, Bruce Kogut, Columbia Business School, May 13, 2019 (Same as Session One)
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Required Pre-Reading Three: Article: “Uber: The Scandals that Drove Travis Kalanick Out,” Zoe Kleinman, BBC News, June 21, 2017
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Recommended Readings
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Session Two PPT Slides
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Session Two Evaluation
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Session Two Recording
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Session Three: Leading Board Dynamics & Strategy for Board Members
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Live Virtual Session: March 14, 2025 with the Dean's Professor Margarethe F. Wiersema, Ph.D [9:00am - 10:30am PST]
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Session Three Description
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Required Pre-Reading One: Chapter-The Concept of Strategy. Chapter 1 (pp.3-27) in the textbook Contemporary Strategy Analysis, 12th edition. By Robert M. Grant. Wiley Publishers.
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Required Pre-Reading Two: Article-How Starbucks toppled its top barista
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Required Pre-Reading Three: Article-Starbucks scraps 2025 guidance after fall in sales and earnings
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Required Pre-Reading Four: Article-Starbucks turns to Sharpies, mugs and price freeze to stem traffic slide
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Required Reading Five: Article-Starbucks has been outclassed by local rivals in China
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Session Three PPT Slides
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Session Three Evaluation
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Session Three Recording
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Session Four: Executive Compensation & Talent Oversight
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Live Virtual Session: March 21, 2025 with Mercer Consulting [9:00am - 10:30am PST]
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Session Four Description
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Session Four Reading: Executive Compensation 101
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Session Four Reading: US Public Companies Regulatory & Governance Overview
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Session Four Evaluation
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Session Five: Financial Acumen for Directors
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Live Virtual Session: April 4, 2025 with Prof. Carla Hayn, Ph.D. [9:00am - 10:30am PST]
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Session Five Description
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Required Pre-Reading One: Uber’s Recent Proxy Statements
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Required Pre-Reading Two: Uber’s Recent Financial Statements
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Required Pre-Reading Three: Article: “The Role of Directors in Financial Oversight and Liability,” Aaron Hall
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Recommended Readings
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Session Five Evaluation
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Session Six: Regulatory Frameworks, SEC and Ethics
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Live Virtual Session: April 11, 2025 with Stephen Cooke [9:00am - 10:30am PST]
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Session Six Description
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Recommended Readings
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Session Six Evaluation
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Session Seven: ESG Governance Fundamentals & Emerging Issues
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Live Virtual Session: April 25, 2025 with Seyfarth Shaw LLP [9:00am - 10:30am PST]
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Session Seven Description
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Session Seven Evaluation
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Session Eight: Risk Management & Cybersecurity
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Live Virtual Session: May 2, 2025 with Deloitte [9:00am - 10:30am PST]
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Session Eight Description
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Session Eight Evaluation
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Session Nine: AI & Digital Transformation
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Live Virtual Session: May 9, 2025 with Tom Andriola [9:00am - 10:30am PST]
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Session Nine Description
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Session Nine Evaluation
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Session Ten: M&A & Board Activism
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Live Virtual Session: May 16, 2025 with Aon [9:00am - 10:30am PST]
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Session Ten Description
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Recommended Readings
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Session Ten Evaluation
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Session Eleven: Closing, Board Trends, Preparing for Board Service and Graduation
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In-Person in Downtown LA May 19, 2025 Prof. Noah Askin, Ph.D. and Prof. Carla Hayn, Ph.D. [10:00am - 3:00pm PST]
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Session Eleven Description
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Session Eleven Evaluation
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Final Program Evaluation
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Session 1: Opening, The Leadership Case for CHRO Board Directors
Session with Prof. Noah Askin, Ph.D. The board of directors is an organization’s highest decision-making body. Their prominence makes them a subject of intrigue and study, yet board functioning remains challenging. Even the most engaged boards face obstacles in overseeing management and providing guidance. These issues—information asymmetries, coordination constraints, and social dynamics—persist across industries. This program will cover these challenges, board membership fundamentals, and essential skills. In this session, we’ll focus on why CHROs should be better represented on boards and how to transition into board roles. Our opening session will foster connections, emphasizing leadership and board cohesion. We’ll then explore a key theme: corporate culture, or “tone at the top.” To dive in, we’ll analyze Uber’s case. As a board member, how could you assess its culture, and what actions might you take? We’ll also examine the board’s role in addressing cultural issues.
Session 2: Introduction & The Role of the Board
Session with Prof. Carla Hayn, Ph.D. In this session, an overview of why we have corporate governance and the role of the Board of Directors is provided. Directors’ fiduciary duties are explained and the ways these are carried out are explored. The operations of the board through its major committees is also examined. .
Session 3: Leading Board Dynamics & Strategy for Board Members
Session with Prof. Margarethe F. Wiersema, Ph.D. Superior financial performance relies on a clear strategy that ensures a sustainable competitive advantage. A key board role is overseeing company strategy. This session helps executives enhance strategic analysis and decision-making, broadening perspectives and sharpening strategic thinking. Practical and problem-oriented, it applies the latest insights to industry competition and strategy evaluation. Through real company cases, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities companies and their boards face. This session equips executives with the knowledge to improve decision-making in a dynamic environment, providing new perspectives and valuable skills to strengthen their organizations.
Session 4: Executive Compensation & Talent Oversight
Session with Mercer Consulting This session will provide participants with an introduction to topics within the purview of Compensation Committees of US public companies., including executive compensation design and oversight of broader human capital topics. Participants will collaborate with others during a role-playing activity to practice applying their “Board member” (as opposed to CHRO) perspective to Compensation Committee matters.
Session 5: Financial Acumen for Directors
Session with Prof. Carla Hayn, Ph.D. In this session, the financial information that board members need to know to provide oversight and effectively monitor the organization’s financial performance and activities is discussed. An overview of the major information provided in the three main financial statements is provided. Emphasis is placed on helping non-financial directors understand the organization’s finances and financial reports.
Session 6: Regulatory Frameworks, SEC & Ethics
Session with Stephen Cooke A comprehensive understanding of key regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and compliance responsibilities critical to effective board oversight. This session emphasizes navigating SEC regulations and fostering an ethical corporate culture, ensuring that board directors are well-prepared to uphold accountability and transparency.
Session 7: ESG Governance Fundamentals and Emerging Issues
Session with Seyfarth Shaw LLP This session will explore the critical intersection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and corporate governance, understanding how these two fundamental concepts shape the modern business landscape. As organizations face new levels of competing scrutiny from stakeholders, consumers, activist shareholders, and regulators regarding their ESG practices, it is imperative for future board members to grasp the principles and strategies that drive responsible corporate behavior. Participants will gain insight into the regulatory landscape impacting ESG practices and how companies can navigate these requirements to achieve sustainable growth. The session will cover key concepts and topics such as ESG oversight expectations for boards, the importance of materiality assessments, board structure for effective ESG oversight, reporting standards and frameworks, regulatory compliance, and the integration of ESG factors into corporate strategy while employing and maintaining “good governance.”
Session 8: Risk Management & Cyber Security
Session with Deloitte Offers an in-depth look at identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, with a focus on safeguarding against cyber security threats that impact organizational resilience. Participants will gain practical knowledge in risk oversight, equipping them to address and navigate today’s complex cyber and operational risk environments effectively.
Session 9: AI & Digital Transformation
Session with Tom Andriola In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are not merely tools but pivotal drivers of transformation. This session delves into how these advancements are reshaping organizational dynamics and underscores the imperative for Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) to redefine their roles within this digital paradigm. As AI becomes integral to business operations, CHROs are transitioning from traditional HR functions to strategic leadership positions, orchestrating the synergy between human talent and AI capabilities to foster innovation and drive organizational success. This session aims to equip HR leaders with the knowledge, framework, and tools necessary to navigate and lead in the AI-augmented business environment effectively and bring valuable input and contributions to the executive suite and boardroom.
Session 10: M&A & Board Activism
Session with AON 2025 is gearing up to be a hot M&A market due to the potential cooling of interest rates and a perceived more business friendly transaction environment. M&A brings with it unique challenges and opportunities for CHROs, as it relates to transaction related shareholder votes (i.e., say -on-golden parachutes and the deal itself for public companies) and executive and employee retention and performance considerations leading up to and following an actual transaction event. This type of an environment also brings with it activism risk from traditional channels (i.e., proxy voting , or shareholders looking for board seats, hostile take-overs, etc.) and evolving channels, such as social media. This session will explore the contributing factors to a likely uptick in M&A and activism activities, and how CHROs and their boards can best mitigate risk and seize opportunities in 2025 and beyond.
Session 11: Closing, Board Trends, Preparing for Board Service and Graduation
Session with Willis Towers Watson, Prof. Noah Askin & Prof. Carla Hayn In our final session, we will be participating in a simulation that will put you in the role of interviewing for a board position—and in the role of interviewing potential board members. We will conclude by wrapping up the program and providing space for you to reflect on your experience over the prior months.
World-Renown Faculty & Industry Leaders
A unique combination of world-class UCI and UCLA faculty combined with the experience and expertise of leading industry executives in the field of corporate governance.
Noah Askin, Ph.D.
Professor Organization and Management; Faculty Director, UC Irvine, Paul Merage School of Business
Carla Hayn, Ph.D.
Professor of Accounting; Accounting Area Chair; Ernst & Young Chair in Accounting, UCLA Anderson School of Management
Margarethe Wiersema, Ph.D
Dean's Professor, Strategic Management, UC Irvine, Paul Merage School of Business
Tom Andriola
Vice Chancellor & Chief Data Officer, UC Irvine
Stephen Cooke
Adjunct Professor, UC Irvine, Paul Merage School of Business
Laura Wanlass
Partner, AON
Heidi Burnett
Chief Commercial Officer Human Sustainability and People Organization/Senior Partner/Global People Solutions and Impact/Coach AON
Niloo Bedrood
Managing Director Deloitte
Dean R. Kingsley
Principal Deloitte
Juliet Archer
Principal, Mercer
Will Ferguson
Senior Partner, Mercer
Michael Oclaray
Senior Director, Executive Compensation and Board Advisory, Willis Towers Watson
John Bremen
Managing Director & Chief Innovation & Acceleration Officer, Willis Towers Watson
Ameena Majid
Impact & Sustainability Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Giovanna Ferrari
Partner, Litigation & ESG Leadership, Seyfarth Shaw
Strategic Industry Partners
In addition to our world-class UC Faculty and Instructors, this program combines the real-world expertise, relevance and application of our strategic industry partners. This program includes special sessions led by Mercer, Seyfarth, Deloitte, AON and WTW.
About HARRT at UCLA
In today’s complex work environment, effective human resources management is critical to the success of any organization. Established in 1986, the Human Resources Round Table - HARRT at UCLA is dedicated to fostering this success by empowering senior HR leaders. HARRT at UCLA is an exclusive, invitation-only membership organization for Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) and their teams. Our members are senior executives who lead the design and execution of HR strategy and policy at prominent global organizations, spanning a diverse range of industries. HARRT draws upon UCLA’s interdisciplinary expertise, with associated faculty and thought leaders who bring contemporary insights from a wide range of fields. Through regular educational events, peer-to-peer collaboration, and cutting-edge research, HARRT supports the development of transformative HR strategies that shape the future of work and organizational success. Understanding the growing importance of HR expertise in corporate governance, HARRT is pleased to collaborate on this unique CHRO Corporate Governance Certification Program with the UCI Paul Merage School of Business and UCLA Anderson School of Management to equip senior leaders for future board service. Explore HARRT at UCLA—where leadership, innovation, and HR strategy converge to drive meaningful impact. Learn more at: https://harrt.ucla.edu/
Take Your Seat at the Table: Enroll Today!
The need for CHROs in corporate boardrooms has never been greater. As organizations navigate complex challenges like ESG, digital transformation, and workforce evolution, boards are turning to human capital leaders for strategic guidance. This is your moment to position yourself as a sought-after corporate director, equipped with the expertise to lead at the highest level. Don’t wait—spaces in this exclusive program are limited, and the opportunity to elevate your leadership profile is now. Enroll today to secure your place among forward-thinking CHROs shaping the future of board governance.