Exciting news! DirectorPrep resources, including ChatDPQ, are now available in Aprio board portals through our partnership with DirectorPrep.
ChatDPQ is an AI governance advisor trained specifically on board best practices. It draws on DirectorPrep’s proprietary governance research and thought leadership to help directors and administrators navigate governance questions.
ChatDPQ and DirectPrep resources are included in your subscription at a significant savings compared to purchasing DirectorPrep individually.
Getting started
For current Aprio customers: Individual users can opt in through a one-time consent prompt when logging into Aprio’s web portal, or board administrators can enable it for their entire board. Look for “DirectorPrep” in your left navigation menu (between Meetings and Actions) to access ChatDPQ, The Savvy Director Blog, and curated governance resources. It’s free to try until your next Aprio renewal.
Considering Aprio for your board? ChatDPQ is included in any Aprio plan. Start a conversation with our team to learn more about Aprio’s board portal software and how ChatDPQ can enhance your board’s governance work.
Read on for tips on getting the most out of ChatDPQ and how boards are already using it.
What you can do with ChatDPQ
ChatDPQ draws on DirectorPrep’s proprietary governance research and thought leadership, not generic AI responses. It helps you:
- Prepare for meetings more efficiently by developing informed questions and gain insights on complex agenda items
- Get instant answers about fiduciary duties, committee structures, governance policies, and meeting procedures
- Consider multiple perspectives and anticipate objections before board discussions
- Stay current on emerging governance topics like ESG reporting, cybersecurity oversight, and board evaluations
“ChatDPQ is useful because it can do a lot of the legwork for a good first draft of a plan or document. For example, I used it to draft a position description for the Board Chair which I then customized to the specific role. I also used it to draft a questionnaire for a governance evaluation, then asked it to refine the questionnaire based on specific assumptions and go deeper. ChatDPQ can help me save a significant amount of time.” – Claudia Ferris, Board Secretary, St. George’s and York House Schools
Important: ChatDPQ does not access any of your board materials, meeting minutes, or documents stored in your Aprio board portal software. Your information remains completely confidential.
See how it works
How boards are using ChatDPQ
Directors and administrators are using ChatDPQ to prepare for meetings, clarify procedures, and handle complex governance scenarios. Here are some real examples:
Directors are asking ChatDPQ:
- “What are my fiduciary duties when evaluating this merger?”
- “How should I approach questioning management on this capital project without seeming confrontational?”
- “What questions should I ask about our organization’s cybersecurity readiness?”
- “I’m nervous about speaking up at board meetings. How can I build confidence?”
- “What’s current best practice for board succession planning?”
Board administrators are using it to:
- Draft position descriptions and governance documents
- Create board evaluation questionnaires
- Clarify meeting procedures and notice requirements
- Structure committee mandates for complex board structures
- Prepare board orientation materials
“ChatDPQ is a powerful tool that can assist us with working smarter. I used ChatDPQ to assist in reviewing possible governance outlines for a complex Board structure. The tool quickly provided suggestions that ensure each Board and Committee is aligned with the appropriate governance rules, that clear audit trails are in place, and agendas are structured to support proper oversight, while still allowing each Board and Committee to have thorough, meaningful discussions.” – Tanya McMurdo, Executive Assistant, Corporate Services, GrandBridge Energy Inc.
Tips for getting better results with ChatDPQ
The quality of ChatDPQ’s responses depends on how you frame your questions. For comprehensive guidance, check out the Prompt Guide, which includes detailed examples and strategies.
Here are a few key tips to get started:
Be specific and provide context. Generic questions get generic answers. Include details about your organization type, industry, and country. For example, instead of “What are board risks?” try “What are the top five governance risks for nonprofit healthcare boards in Ontario?”
Tell ChatDPQ what you want. Specify the format and depth you need—brief summaries, detailed analysis, bullet lists, or tables.
Have a conversation. If the first response isn’t quite right, keep the dialogue going. Follow up with “That’s helpful, but I need more detail” or “Can you provide specific examples?”
Use the funnel approach. Start broad, then gradually narrow down. For example: “What are the top risks for insurance companies?” → “Focus on property and casualty insurance” → “Provide two mitigation strategies for each risk”
“ChatDPQ seems very comprehensive. I used it for both credit union items and insurance agency items, and it provided analysis on a memo and produced a briefing note with recommendations and anticipated questions directors might ask. This is at the forefront of our training these days so the timing could not have been better to try it out. Make sure to use the Prompt Guide – it was very helpful and comprehensive.” – Pam Pinch, Board Secretary, StellerVista Credit Union
More DirectorPrep resources in your Aprio board portal
Beyond ChatDPQ, your DirectorPrep access includes:
- The Savvy Director Blog — Weekly governance insights delivered every Sunday morning with practical content about board challenges and director development.
- The Resource Hub — Curated recommendations for governance books, podcasts, and websites, all vetted by DirectorPrep’s experts.
- The PREP Guide — A consistent process to prepare for every board meeting, helping you arrive confident and ready to contribute.
Access all of these resources through the About page in the DirectorPrep section of your portal.
What’s next: more AI coming to Aprio
ChatDPQ is the first of several AI capabilities coming to Aprio in 2026. We’re also building AI tools that will work securely with your specific board materials—you’ll have full control over what you add to your portal.
ChatDPQ and DirectorPrep resources are ready to help directors and administrators work smarter. Explore them in the DirectorPrep section of your Aprio portal, or contact our team to learn more about how they can support your board’s governance work.