Having constructive conversations about ethics. Why your brain can sabotage your ethics and how to reclaim your professional integrity in difficult situations.
Having Constructive Conversations about Ethics is a practical, research-informed course designed for professional accountants navigating real ethical dilemmas in the workplace. Facilitated by Anna Stewart and Maureen Gillis, the course moves beyond traditional ethical decision-making frameworks to explore why doing the right thing is often harder than it sounds — not because professionals lack knowledge, but because of how the human brain responds under pressure.
Through a relatable workplace scenario, the course unpacks the biological and psychological forces that interfere with ethical reasoning, including the brain's threat response, cognitive biases, and the ladder of inference. Students then learn three practical mindsets — curiosity, good intent, and initiative — along with concrete conversation strategies to help them speak up, navigate disagreement, and reach ethical decisions with confidence and care.
Learning Objectives
FCPA, FCA
Maureen R Gillis, FCPA FCA, is a highly sought after facilitator. She facilitates adult learning in topics related to leadership, ethics, success, and human behaviour. With formal training in adult learning and professional training in human resources management along with a designation as a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant, Fellow Chartered Accountant (Canada) Maureen brings a multi-disciplinary perspective to her courses. She has taught at three universities and facilitated professional development sessions for members of professional organizations. With three decades of professional leadership experience, across sectors, she brings professional and practical insight to her courses. During her career, Maureen has also been active in volunteer roles as a coach and with organizations such as the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Public Sector Accounting Board, Chartered Professional Accountants Canada, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia, Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia, the Financial Management Institute, and the Chamber of Commerce, among others. She also served as a volunteer financial advisor for an NGO in Ghana, West Africa. Today, Maureen enjoys delivering relevant professional development courses to leaders and members of professional associations on current topics that supports their ongoing development and growth.
FCPA, FCMC, ACC
With more than 25 years of experience advising and coaching organizations and leaders in complex contexts, I have established a strong reputation for helping organizations and individuals to realize their goals. I have designed, delivered and facilitated hundreds of presentations and group meetings. As co-owner of an executive search and HR consulting firm, I led and managed the firm’s growth and national expansion. I’ve been a consulting partner and principal with two large public accounting and consulting firms and have held senior finance leadership roles in the public sector and in a global not-for-profit organization. I have taught at the university undergraduate and high school continuing education levels. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants, a Certified Executive Coach and Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, a Fellow Certified Management Consultant, and have a Master of Business Administration Degree. I am certified to interpret Gallup Clifton Strengths assessments, the Hogan Assessment, and the Management Research Group LEA Self-Assessment and LEA 360 Assessment.
This portal is provided as a training and development resource for City of Markham employees. Every course is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, is quantifiable in hours, and is verifiable — you receive a documented certificate of completion for every course you finish, stored on LearnFormula indefinitely.
If you hold a professional designation (for example in engineering, accounting, human resources, or law), courses may be counted as professionally relevant, verifiable learning activities toward your continuing professional development. Individual practitioners are responsible for confirming that an activity meets the requirements of their professional body. For questions about the City of Markham's training and development policies, please speak with your people leader or Human Resources.
