Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA, F.CIoD, C.Dir

Founder and Executive Chairman

Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA, F.CIoD is globally recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on corporate governance. In 2003, he founded the Directors College of Canada where from its inception to 2013, he served as its inaugural Principal and Lead Professor. He continues to assist the College and pursues his passion for good governance internationally as the Founder & Chairman of the Corporate Governance Institute, the Caribbean Governance Training Institute and the Caribbean Institute of Directors.

Dr. Bart has authored the 10 year Canadian business best seller (2003-2013), “A Tale of Two Employees and the Person Who Wanted to Lead Them” as well as the widely acclaimed publications: “20 Essential Questions Corporate Directors Should Ask About Strategy (2013) – 3rd Edition” and “20 Essential Questions Directors of Not-For-Profit Organizations Should Ask About Strategy (2009). He also has recently released two new books: “Achieving the Execution Edge: 20 Essential Questions Corporate Directors Need to Get Answered About Strategy Execution” (with E.S. Schreiber); and “The Mission Driven Hospital: Turning Noble Aspirations through Accountability and Action”.

Through his pioneering research and teachings, Dr. Bart has become highly sought after by organizations around the world.  His practical approach for achieving 'excellence in governance' has inspired board members, business leaders and audiences around the world.    

A retired Professor of Strategy and Governance from McMaster University (1981-2013), Dr. Bart has published over 180 articles, cases and reviews. He currently serves as Associate Editor of the International Journal of Business Governance & Ethics and he continues as a Research Fellow of the Asian Institute of Corporate Governance at Korea University. 

Dr. Bart has been awarded the Ontario Chamber of Commerce “Outstanding Business Achievement Award for Corporate Governance”, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce “HR Hero Award”, the United Way “Chairman’s Award”, the HRPA 2011 “Summit Award for Corporate Governance & Strategic Leadership”, and McMaster’s “Innovation Award”.  For his research, he has received both the McMaster Research Recognition Award and its Theory to Practice Award.

A highly regarded lecturer, Dr. Bart has received both the “Outstanding Undergraduate Business Professor” and “MBA Professor of the Year” awards on multiple occasions.  He has also won “The President’s Award for Teaching Excellence”, McMaster’s highest teaching award – which made him the most decorated professor at the DeGroote School. In 2009, his CPA designation was elevated to FCPA (Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants). And in 2012, Dr. Bart was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to Canada.

Over the years, Dr. Bart has been invited to lecture at numerous institutions throughout the world, including the USA, South Africa, Egypt, Greece, the Caribbean, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Czech Republic and China.

Dr. Bart is listed in Canadian Who’s Who. He is currently a Director of Terra Firma Capital Corporation (TII.V) where he serves on the firm’s Audit Committee and chairs the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee. He is a past Trustee of the Committee for Economic Development of the United States of America and a former Director of St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Harshman Foundation, The Canadian Foundation for Education and Research on Finance, the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton and Eagle Precision Technologies (a former TSE listed company) where he chaired its Compensation Committee.