Strategic Foresight for Executives- Empowering Decision-Makers for Tomorrow’s Challenges
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Strategic Foresight Certification for Executives

This Strategic Foresight Certification is designed for senior leaders and their teams and builds futures literacy, a proven skillset to navigate uncertainty and boost strategic performance.

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Strategic Foresight for Executives- Empowering Decision-Makers for Tomorrow’s Challenges

When

November 3, 2025 to November 21, 2025

Where

4-Day In-Residence in Hamilton & Burlington, ON with 3 Online Sessions

Cost

$3,750 ($3,550 for the first 10 registrants)


Strategic Foresight for Executives: Empowering Decision-Makers for Tomorrow’s Challenges

Our Strategic Foresight certification builds futures literacy — a proven skillset to navigate uncertainty and boost strategic performance. Participants gain hands-on tools to apply future thinking across strategy, innovation, and risk management. In today’s fast-changing world, organizations must embrace agility and innovation. Futures-literate firms see 33% more profit and 200% more growth. Get future-ready. 

  • Inaugural Special: $3,750 for our first cohort
  • The first 10 registrants will get a $200 discount
Get tickets

Event Format

  • 7-Day Program with 4-Day In-Residence in Hamilton & Burlington, Ontario

Agenda

  • Monday, November 3, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Virtual
  • Thursday, November 6, 2025; 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception at Art Gallery of Hamilton
  • Friday, November 7, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – in-person at the Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington
  • Saturday, November 8, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – in-person at the Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington
  • Sunday, November 9, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – in-person at the Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington
  • Friday, November 14, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Virtual
  • Friday, November 21, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Virtual

Speakers

Riel Miller Riel brings over 40 years of global experience advancing innovation, leadership, and transformation across public and private sectors. A pioneer of the “discipline of anticipation” and futures literacy, he designs strategic processes to help organizations navigate uncertainty. From 2012 to 2022, he served as Head of Foresight and Futures Literacy at UNESCO, leading hundreds of foresight initiatives worldwide. His work spans finance, education, governance, and technology. Currently a Senior Fellow at institutions in six countries, Riel is a widely published speaker and facilitator known for helping decision-makers question assumptions and unlock the transformative potential of the present.
Riel Miller

Riel brings over 40 years of global experience advancing innovation, leadership, and transformation across public and private sectors. A pioneer of the “discipline of anticipation” and futures literacy, he designs strategic processes to help organizations navigate uncertainty. From 2012 to 2022, he served as Head of Foresight and Futures Literacy at UNESCO, leading hundreds of foresight initiatives worldwide. His work spans finance, education, governance, and technology. Currently a Senior Fellow at institutions in six countries, Riel is a widely published speaker and facilitator known for helping decision-makers question assumptions and unlock the transformative potential of the present.

Dr. Candice Chow Dr. Candice Chow is the Program Director of The Foresight Lab and Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at the DeGroote School of Business. She brings over 25 years of senior management experience across Asia and Canada in strategy, corporate transformation, and innovation. Formerly Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at a leading Canadian transportation company, she now leads foresight-driven applied research and education focused on long-term value creation and sustainable performance. She holds a DBA and MSc from Henley Business School, an MBA from Ivey, a Mechanical Engineering degree from Imperial College London, and the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. She teaches strategic management in undergraduate, MBA, and executive education programs, and designs experiential learning that integrates theory with real-world practice.
Dr. Candice Chow

Dr. Candice Chow is the Program Director of The Foresight Lab and Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at the DeGroote School of Business. She brings over 25 years of senior management experience across Asia and Canada in strategy, corporate transformation, and innovation. Formerly Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at a leading Canadian transportation company, she now leads foresight-driven applied research and education focused on long-term value creation and sustainable performance. She holds a DBA and MSc from Henley Business School, an MBA from Ivey, a Mechanical Engineering degree from Imperial College London, and the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. She teaches strategic management in undergraduate, MBA, and executive education programs, and designs experiential learning that integrates theory with real-world practice.

 

Contact

Candice Chow ( foresightlab@mcmaster.ca )

FAQ

The program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining three virtual sessions and four in-person sessions (two full-day and two half-day) held in Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario. 

The in-person sessions will begin with a welcome reception at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (123 King Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4S8) on Thursday afternoon, November 6, 2025; followed by in-classroom activities in Room 429, Ron Joyce Centre (4350 South Service Road, Burlington, Ontario L7L 5R8) from Friday morning, November 7 through Sunday noon, November 9, 2025.

The sessions are hybrid, held both virtually and in-person:

  • Monday, November 3, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Virtual
  • Thursday, November 6, 2025; 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception at Art Gallery of Hamilton
  • Friday, November 7, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – in-person at the Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington
  • Saturday, November 8, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – in-person at the Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington
  • Sunday, November 9, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – in-person at the Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington
  • Friday, November 14, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Virtual
  • Friday, November 21, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Virtual

While there are no strict eligibility requirements, the certification program is best suited for senior management professionals with preferably 10 or more years of work experience in the public, private, or not-for-profit sectors, who lead teams and have decision-making authority. It is also ideal for business or marketing consultants and senior analysts who support senior leadership in strategic decision-making, enterprise planning, and strategic analysis, with a preferred experience level of 8 or more years.

Yes, full participation in all sessions, both virtual and in-person, is required to qualify for certification.

Recordings of virtual sessions may be made available to registered participants. However, live participation is required.

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements for sessions held in Hamilton and Burlington.

We are offering an Inaugural Special of $3,750 for this November 2025 cohort. In addition, the first 10 registrants will get $200 discount.

Registered participants will receive a full refund if they cancel on or before October 20th, 2025 (i.e., 14 days or more prior to the first session). Registered participants can transfer their registration to another individual, the individual needs to meet the suggested level of experience. Approval is required from the Director of the Foresight Lab.

For further inquiries, please contact foresightlab@mcmaster.ca.

Upcoming Events

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November 12, 2026
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Online

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COMMUNITY STUDENT

No Experience Necessary Challenge

November 13, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery, Parking Lot

Ronnen Harary, co-founder of Spin Master, is touring North American campuses in an Airstream, and he’s stopping at McMaster University. Bring a business idea. No experience necessary.

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Entrepreneurship Week Kick Off with Ronnen Harary

November 13, 2026
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery

Join us as we kick off Global Entrepreneurship Week at McMaster with a special guest: Ronnen Harary, co-founder of Spin Master and author of No Experience Necessary!

ACADEMIC FACULTY STUDENT

Meet the Faculty: Human Resources and Management with Dr. Yao

November 17, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Online

Join us for a 45-minute webinar featuring Dr. Yao Yao, Assistant Professor of Human Resources and Management at the DeGroote School of Business.

ACADEMIC FACULTY STAFF

Meet the Faculty: Management Science with Dr. Gorgulu

November 18, 2026
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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Join us for a 45-minute webinar featuring Dr. Berk Gorgulu, Assistant Professor of Operations Management at the DeGroote School of Business.

STUDENT STUDENT CLUB

Starting Young in Sales: Fireside Chat with Leo Puskar

November 18, 2026
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery (MCCD), Room 7120, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

An unscripted fireside chat with award-winning RE/MAX Realtor Leo Puskar on starting young in sales. Free pizza until 6:00 p.m. and an AirPods draw. Open to all McMaster students.

COMMUNITY MCLEAN CENTRE

COP31 on Campus: Global Climate Talks, Live from Türkiye

November 19, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Sustainable Futures Hub, Room 8120, McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery

Don’t just follow the talks. Join in. Connect live with leaders at COP31 in Türkiye, then reflect on what it means for our local community.

FACULTY STUDENT

Graduate Certificate in Data Science, Applied AI, & Org Leadership

November 26, 2026
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Online Webinar

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ACADEMIC

Graduate Certificate in Data Science, Applied AI, & Org Leadership

November 26, 2026
12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

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Learn about DeGroote's Graduate Academic Certificate in Data Science, Applied AI, and Organizational Leadership, including career opportunities, admissions requirements and program outcomes.

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Graduate Certificate in Data Science, Applied AI, & Org Leadership

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Learn about DeGroote's Graduate Academic Certificate in Data Science, Applied AI, and Organizational Leadership, including career opportunities, admissions requirements and program outcomes.

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