Advanced Enterprise Risk Management Certificate Program
The CRO Certificate Program
Live Virtual Program
Elevate Your Expertise and Career in Enterprise Risk Management
The Advanced Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Certificate Program is a comprehensive 12-week, interactive professional development experience. It is designed for senior risk professionals, including chief risk officers, corporate board directors, and rising leaders in risk, compliance, audit, and finance—who are ready to take their ERM expertise to the next level. This program, in partnership with James Lam & Associates (JLA) and the Risk Management Society (RIMS), will equip participants with practical ERM concepts, tools, and frameworks essential for navigating both traditional and emerging risks.
This program is also the perfect next step for RIMS-CRMP holders seeking to deepen their strategic risk capabilities, elevate their leadership potential, and apply their credential in more advanced, real-world contexts. Participants will
gain hands-on knowledge directly from James Lam, one of the world's foremost experts in ERM, risk governance, and board-level risk oversight.
Program Highlights:
- Duration: 12-week intensive program
- Interactive Learning: Participate in live virtual sessions with James Lam, case study discussions, peer networking, and structured self-study.
- Expert Instruction: Learn directly from James Lam and other experts during six 4-hour virtual sessions, totaling 24 hours of live instruction.
- Core Curriculum: Based on the best-selling book, Implementing Enterprise Risk Management – From Methods to Applications by James Lam (Wiley, 2017), along with curated articles, case studies, and research materials.
- Program Guidebook: A manual of reference materials including chapter summaries, presentation decks, useful links, and practical guidelines, templates, and worksheets.
Advanced ERM Certificate Program Course Modules
Registration Fees
RIMS Members: $3,350 USD | Non-members: $3,950 USD (review registration details below)
Course Modules:
Module 1: ERM Concepts, Trends, and Maturity
Focuses on the fundamental concepts of risk and ERM, current trends, risk governance
developments, and the key attributes of performance-based continuous ERM. Group discussions on
common pitfalls of conventional ERM practices and key lessons learned from notable corporate
disasters. Deep dive on risk oversight of disruptive risks and scenario analysis.
Module 2: Stakeholders Requirements, ERM Program Development, and Risk Culture
Defines key stakeholders in ERM, value-added strategies, and customized design of the ERM project,
roadmap, and implementation plan. Group discussions on risk culture, change management
requirements, and reputational risk management. Deep dives on the risk escalation policy and risk
culture management.
Module 3: Risk Governance and Oversight
Covers establishing an integrated ERM framework, role of the board and committees in risk oversight,
and the Three Lines of Defense model. Case study discussions on effective board risk governance
and how risk professionals can successfully support and leverage the board. Deep dives into
cybersecurity and third-party risk oversight. This module may include a board director or
cybersecurity guest speaker.
Module 4: The Role of the Chief Risk Officer, Risk Appetite Statement
Discusses the role of the chief risk officer (CRO) including professional development and career path
to CRO and beyond to the corner office (CEO) and boardroom. Reviews the key components,
examples, and templates of an effective risk appetite statement framework, including a group
exercise. Case study discussions of CRO profiles in courage. This module may include a CRO guest
speaker.
Module 5: Driving Business Decisions –Risk Assessment, Quantification, and Strategic and
Performance Management
Reviews risk assessment, risk quantification, analytical models, including practical ways to enhance
conventional models to better support executive and first-line decision makers. Explores ERM
applications in corporate and business decisions—M&A, product development, pricing, capital
allocation, and risk transfer. Deep dives into AI risk governance and oversight, data and model
governance, and use of AI in ERM.
Module 6: Continuous Feedback and Improvement Metrics, Reports, and Feedback Loops
Explores attributes of effective key performance indicators (KPIs), key risk indicators (KRIs), and
other metrics (e.g., early warning indicators, key control indicators).Reviews critical dos and don’ts
in executive dashboards and board risk reporting. Discusses continuous feedback and ongoing
improvement in ERM, including examples of an ERM performance scorecard and an analytical
feedback model. Group discussion of an actual CRO report to the board risk committee
“Berkadia was fortunate to partner with James Lam for a 12-week Advanced ERM Certificate Program designed for our leaders in risk management, compliance, cybersecurity, and internal audit. James was exceptional in challenging conventional ERM thinking and demonstrating how risk management can be a driver of business value—not just a compliance exercise. Through structured frameworks, case studies, best practices, and practical tools, our team gained actionable insights that significantly advanced their expertise. More importantly, the program helped strengthen our risk culture and embed ERM into our business and operational decision-making. For organizations looking to elevate their ERM capabilities and unlock strategic value, this program delivers real impact.”
Paul Zikmund
SVP, Chief Risk, Compliance & Information Security Officer
Berkadia – A Joint Venture of Berkshire Hathaway and Jefferies Financial Group
UPCOMING COHORTS
July - September 2025
Registration closes July 9th
Beginning July 16th, workshops will be held bi-weekly from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM ET.
Sessions will be recorded and shared for those who are unable to attend
Session Dates:
- Wednesday, July 16th
- Wednesday, July 30th
- Wednesday, August 13th
- Wednesday, August 27th
- Wednesday, September 10th
- Wednesday, September 24th
PROGRAM DELIVERABLES
Upon completion of the program, participants will receive an Advanced ERM Certificate, and 36 CE credits issued jointly by JLA and RIMS.
Participants will also gain access to:
- Executive summaries of key learning points.
- Self-assessment and self-study questions.
- Templates, examples, and practical tools such as risk appetite statements and strategic risk management worksheets.
- Opportunities for interactive Q&A and discussion sessions with James Lam and peers.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR AND COACH
James Lam brings a unique blend of leadership experience as a chief risk officer, management consultant, and board director, having chaired risk and audit committees across both public and private companies. He currently serves as Board Director and Risk Committee Chair of BlackRock iShares Funds and as an Independent Director of the FAIR Institute. Recognized as the first-ever Chief Risk Officer, James has led enterprise risk management programs at global institutions including Fidelity Investments and GE Capital. As President of James Lam & Associates, he advises companies across a wide range of industries—including financial services, energy, healthcare, technology, and government services—on strategy, risk, and governance. He is a published author whose work is used in leading universities and boardrooms alike. A certified expert in board governance and cybersecurity oversight, James has also served as faculty for institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), and the Stanford Directors College.
TARGET AUDIENCE
This program is for senior risk professionals, CROs, board directors, and experienced risk, compliance, audit, and finance executives. RIMS-CRMP holders looking to advance their expertise will find this program highly complementary.
RIMS education courses are designed primarily for risk and insurance professionals, but anyone within an organization who wants to learn more about a specific topic of interest is encouraged to attend.
Level: Advanced
Format: Live virtual
REGISTRATION FEES
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2025
Register today! space is limited
For registration assistance, please contact our Professional Development Team at PD@RIMS.org.
Cancellations and Refunds
RIMS reserves the right to cancel a course if conditions warrant. In the event of such a cancellation, registration fees will be refunded.
All requests for refunds or changes must be submitted in writing to RIMS at PD@RIMS.org. Registrants who cancel 15 business days or more prior to the start of the workshop can receive a credit to attend another workshop with the same duration and cost within three months.
You may cancel your registration at any time by emailing PD@RIMS.org. Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to the start of the event will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations received 15 to 30 days prior to the start of the event will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be provided for cancellations received less than 15 days prior to the event. No refunds will be issued after the event. All refunds will be refunded to your original method of payment. Registrations may not be shared but may be transferred at no cost up to 15 days prior to the start of the event with notification to PD@RIMS.org.