GAMA International Canada, a professional association dedicated to those managing the distribution of financial services, and the Centre for Leadership Excellence at the Sobey School of Business, St. Mary’s University, have formed a strategic partnership to offer a new program designed to foster leadership skills within the financial services industry.

The newly-created Chartered Management Professional (CMP) designation applies academic and practical skill-building content in four key areas critical to successful leadership within the financial services industry: coaching and leadership; recruiting, selection and retention; training and education; and business development (including marketing, technology, and compliance).

Students enrolled in the program will complete four academic self-study courses with online testing as well as participate in four courses offered from GAMA-approved educational partners in classroom, teleconferencing, and online formats. The capstone of the CMP program is a business planning module that incorporates accountable goals and objectives that each participant will be able to integrate into his or her daily role.

St. Mary’s Centre for Leadership Excellence will develop the four academic courses that form the core of the CMP program. The Dean of the Sobey School of Business, Dr. Alan Miciak, will also represent the school on the GAMA Learning Institute Board of Directors, which will oversee the CMP program.

“The CMP program is the first designation program in Canada created exclusively for those working in leadership positions within the financial services industry,” notes David Gray, 2003-04 president, GAMA International Canada.