
DCRO INSTITUTE
Impact Boards Emerging Markets are partnered with the DCRO Institute, one of the global leaders in risk governance education and credentialing.
The DCRO Institute aspires to "Innovate, Sustain and Create Value" through their unique approach and focus on the positive governance of risk taking. They offer a range of world recognised training programs and prestigious designations for board members and C-suite executives around the world. Their credential holders are leaders in boardrooms and C-suites in six continents and across more than 60 countries. DCRO's faculty members are among the world’s prominent C-level executives, board members, and authors.


ABOUT THE DCRO INSTITUTE
The DCRO Institute is the world's leading source of risk governance credentialing and peer communities. They are a 501(c)3 non-profit peer collaboration among board members and c-suite executives from around the world.
The DCRO Institute is the home of the Qualified Risk Director® designation, the Qualified Risk Expert™ designation, and the Certificate in Cyber Risk Governance®. Specialisation Certificate courses, Mastering Cyber Risk Governance and Mastering Technology Risk Governance, may also be availed by Certificate in Risk Governance® holders seeking the Certificate in Cyber Risk Governance®.
DCRO work globally to bring risk expertise to the boardroom and c-suite by teaching the positive governance of risk-taking®. Graduates from their programmes are leaders in boardrooms and c-suites in over sixty countries on six continents. Their goal, which is emblazoned on their logo, is to help organisations Innovate, Sustain, and Create Value.
DCRO CREDENTIALS
The DCRO Institute issues the world's most prestigious credentials in risk governance:
● the Qualified Risk Director® designation
● the Qualified Risk Expert™ designation
● the Certificate in Cyber Risk Governance®
● the Certificates in Mastering Cyber Risk Governance and Mastering Technology Risk Governance
Their credentials distinguish holders by demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the positive governance of risk-taking® within their organisations.
Wondering which credential is right for you? Click here to understand more about who the credentials are most suited to.

QRD™ - QUALIFIED RISK DIRECTOR® DESIGNATION
The Qualified Risk Director® designation is the DCRO Institute's top credential. It is an elite recognition awarded exclusively by DCRO to individuals who demonstrate exceptional ability to integrate corporate strategy with the positive governance of risk-taking®. Their skills can be applied in the work of many board committees - wherever risk is part of the conversation. Recipients must exhibit comprehensive experience across business, risk, leadership, and education, complete the requirements to earn the Certificate in Risk Governance® , hold a board governance credential from a respected institution or have significant fiduciary board experience, and gather letters of recommendation from their board and C-suite peers. Click on "Pathway to QRD" to learn how to become a Qualified Risk Director®.

QRE™ – QUALIFIED RISK EXPERT™ DESIGNATION
The Qualified Risk Expert™ designation is designed to identify outstanding board members specifically for service on board risk committees. It is an elite recognition awarded exclusively by the DCRO Institute to individuals who have extensive risk management or technology risk management leadership experience and meet specific work experience requirements. In addition to their risk management or technology risk management leadership experience, successful candidates must complete the requirements to earn the Certificate in Risk Governance®, pass an exam on the DCRO Guiding Principles for Board Risk Committees, and gather letters of recommendation from their board and C-suite peers. Click on "Pathway to QRE" to learn how to become a Qualified Risk Expert®.

THE CERTIFICATE IN CYBER RISK GOVERNANCE®
The Certificate in Cyber Risk Governance® is a prestigious credential awarded to current and prospective board members who complete DCRO's rigorous Certificate in Cyber Risk Governance® course. The program is led by experienced board members, executives, and professionals from law enforcement, military, and intelligence services, ensuring top-tier instruction in cyber risk governance. Across ten lessons and evaluations, credential holders learn how to govern cyber risk in the context of the board's strategic and oversight roles. Credential holders serve on boards in more than 25 countries on six continents.

MASTERING CYBER RISK AND TECHNOLOGY RISK GOVERNANCE CERTIFICATES
Mastering Cyber Risk Governance and Mastering Technology Risk Governance Strategic Specialisation Certificate courses. This bundle should be chosen by Certificate in Risk Governance® holders seeking the Certificate in Cyber Risk Governance®
MEET THE TEAM
David R. Koenig, QRD®
President and CEO
David R. Koenig is the President and CEO of The DCRO Institute. He is the award-winning author of Governance Reimagined: Organisational Design, Risk and Value Creation, The Board Member's Guide to Risk, and God’s Portfolio: An Examination of the I, the We, the All (and then some).
During his executive career, David created corporate risk management programmes at three different companies and has managed complex financial portfolios in excess of tens of billions of dollars in size. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, is the founder of the Directors and Chief Risk Officers group (the DCRO) and the DCRO Institute, and is a co-founder of the Professional Risk Managers International Association (PRMIA).
David led the development of the first firmwide risk management programme in the mortgage banking business (1993), was named an inaugural member of the Risk Who's Who Society (2007), received the PRMIA Higher Standard Award (2008), was one of the winners of the inaugural M-Prize for management innovation (2010), holds the Certificate in Risk Governance® (2021), the Certificate in Cyber Risk Governance℠ (2023) and earned permission to use the Qualified Risk Director® designation (2021).
He has served on multiple boards and is an internationally recognised risk governance expert focused on navigating the intersection of risk-taking, innovation and governance.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
The DCRO Institute has partnered with Impact Board Emerging Markets to provide its growing community of board directors and subscribing boards with educational webinars and training on risk governance perspectives that is essential for the culture and fabric of an effective board.
IBEM members that reside in an Emerging Market, as defined by the World Bank Income rankings, benefit from significantly discounted rates on DCRO's certifications and designations. IBEM members residing in high income countries benefit from a 20% discount on the certification and designations. Below is current list of designations and certifications.
Qualified Risk Director® and Qualified Risk Expert™ designations
Certificate in Cyber Risk Governance® certification.
If you would like to subscribe to any of these certifications and/or designations and need assistance to understand the discounted pricing available to you, please write to us at info@iboardsem.com.




