RIMS-CRMP Stories

C. Nicholas Quigley is the risk specialist for the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC), an educator and retired veteran. A prominent member of the RIMS Saskatchewan Chapter (SKRIMS), he discussed how his military training served as the foundation for risk management and to his earning the RIMS-CRMP in 2022.

RIMS: You have several designations in your title: GRCP, GRCA, IAAP, IAIP, ICEP, IDPP, IPMP, IRMP, ABCP, AEM. What led you to the RIMS-CRMP?

Quigley: My motivation was to strike a balance between drawing on my military experience and communicating in the appropriate risk-focused corporate language required in my new role. As I had only experienced military style risk management, it was difficult to find the correct terminology to match the corporate environment. The RIMS-CRMP instantly makes you stand out in Canada, especially in Saskatchewan where I live; there are currently 13 certification holders in my province and 172 in Canada.

I started with my ISO31000: Senior Lead Risk Manager certification and then opted for the RIMS-CRMP, as it is globally recognized.

Once I earned my RIMS-CRMP, it was like a light flickered back inside me and I quickly understood that I had a good understanding of risk and was also prepared to continue the learning journey. This commitment to continuous learning is how I’ve earned many of my certifications. I remain committed to expanding my knowledge and welcome opportunities to further develop my expertise.

RIMS: How does the certification complement your many other credentials?

Quigley: The RIMS-CRMP is the overarching 30,000-foot-level information that enables me to find a way to bridge everything together and compare apples to apples. It can be difficult to weigh IT with financial and reputational risks and how they are all competing for budgets where none have measured their risks in the same way.

It's like finishing the edge of the puzzle that makes everything fit inside it. My other certifications are more granular and technical, leading me to get into the weeds of the problems to understand specific complexities.

RIMS: Many credential holders talk about translating experiences into formal risk practice. How are past and current experiences validated by the RIMS-CRMP?

Quigley: Earning my RIMS-CRMP has been instrumental in opening doors for me. My military experiences, while often difficult, have shaped who I am, and I speak about them openly because I believe in reducing the stigma around mental health. Before my current role, I faced challenges to find the right role due to my PTSD. These experiences have taught me resilience and strengthened my commitment to using my knowledge and experience to contribute effectively during high-pressure situations.

I believe it’s important to meet people where they are, build on their strengths, and gently support them in areas where they want to grow, something we all experience, and I know I still have much to develop myself.

I’m continually grateful for a journey that has provided me with a deeper sense of purpose in pursuing formal risk management. I am motivated by the hope that thoughtful risk controls and mitigation can help prevent challenges for others, so fewer people must face unnecessary hardships.

RIMS: How did you study or prepare for the exam?

Quigley: I had the opportunity to take the RIMS-CRMP prep course hosted by SKRIMS and taught by former RIMS President and SKRIMS member Nowell Seaman. Learning from him and his experiences was by far one of the best choices I ever made in course selection. I would highly recommend the prep course to others as it provides most of the information that is needed.

RIMS: How do you plan to recertify? What are your favorite ways to accrue recertification points?

Quigley: Education has never been an issue for me since I'm always looking for the next course, RIMS webinar, textbook or research. My favorite way though is through RIMS conferences. I attended RISKWORLD 2025 in Chicago and was completely overwhelmed—in a good way—by the event. I thought I had been to big conferences until then. Having the opportunity to listen to different perspectives on topics that are of interest to me is beneficial in tailoring my own style to fit the needs of others. And, at a conference of that magnitude, there was always knowledge to gain.

See the full RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep calendar.

Interview by Justin Smulison, RIMS Business Content Manager