The McMaster Continuing Education office will be closed on Friday, April 18 for Good Friday. We will respond to inquiries within 1-2 business days once we re-open on Monday, April 21.
One of the great challenges in business today is the need to make informed decisions while simultaneously mitigating the risks inherent in responding quickly to changing conditions and driving growth in increasingly competitive markets, whether locally or globally. This course addresses risk management beyond the traditional, narrow insurance focus. Risk is inherent in every decision we make, so understanding why and how we perceive risk is critical. Furthermore, putting the risk in context, recognizing the cognitive biases we have, recognizing the barriers that hinder progress and understanding the financial and other implications can make the decisionmaking process more objective, fact-based and less mysterious. Students will explore a number of methods and techniques such as critical thinking, risk/benefit analysis, and heuristics to inform their decision-making, bolster their confidence and increase their effectiveness as managers or leaders.
No Scheduled Class Meetings, May 5 - August 3 (Online)
Location:
ONLINE
Instructor:
Elizabeth Wood
Notes:
Courses are activated in Avenue to Learn 1-3 days prior to the course start date. Please note registering after the course start date may delay course access and does not permit exceptions to coursework due dates, late textbook purchases, or the refund policy.
Instructors
Elizabeth Wood
People Card Modal Dialog
Elizabeth is a solutions-oriented leader with expertise in organizational design, change management, policy development, and regulatory oversight. She has been instrumental in driving innovation and operational excellence, contributing to CMI’s emergence as one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies and a leading, respected private lender. As the architect of CMI’s talent strategy, Elizabeth has achieved gender parity while significantly expanding the company’s workforce. Her industry contributions have earned her recognition as a Canadian Mortgage Professional Woman of Influence in both 2019 and 2022, as well as a Woman of Distinction at the Canadian Mortgage Awards in 2021. In 2023, Elizabeth was named among Canada’s top 50 executive leaders as a recipient of the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Best Executive Awards. Most recently, she received the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award from Athabasca University.
She has earned an MBA, a Bachelor of Commerce in Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws in Business Law. Elizabeth holds several industry-leading certifications and considers herself a lifetime learner. Since 2019, her passion for education and dedication to eliminating barriers to learning drives her in her role as instructor and course content developer with the McMaster University CE’s Business and Marketing programs.
Elizabeth is a dedicated mental health advocate and Co-Chair of the Canadian Lender’s Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion roundtable where she advocates for advancement and empowerment of marginalized groups in the financial services sector. She is also a lifelong volunteer, currently serving terms as a Canadian Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (CNETS) board member, where she spearheaded the establishment of a mental health committee focused on patient and caregiver advocacy, and is a former national board member and treasurer of CIM Chartered Managers.
