Leading Sustainable Business Transformation
Align head, heart, and hands for transformation
Sustainability is a business imperative, but many leaders struggle to integrate it into their organizations and capitalize on new opportunities.
On IMD’s Leading Sustainable Business Transformation program, you will understand what sustainability involves and how to embed it into your corporate strategies, operations, and culture.
To successfully inspire sustainability transformation, leaders need to combine strategic foresight (head), leadership qualities (heart), and practical action (hands). Our program’s unique approach incorporates these three dimensions.
You will explore the strategic underpinnings that guide informed, sustainable business decisions. You will also develop the leadership qualities necessary to inspire a collective commitment to sustainability. Finally, you will learn tools and practices for implementing and scaling sustainable solutions effectively.
Drawing on a compelling blend of research findings, case studies, and industry insights, several IMD faculty members will guide you through topics such as materiality, stakeholder management, and sustainability and financial reporting metrics. An executive coach will support you as you work on two impact projects, including your own sustainability challenge.
You will leave with the core skills required to lead sustainable business transformations and a workbook detailing how to apply your learnings to your context.
Answer a few quick questions to discover if this program aligns with your goals and experience.
Talk with a Program Advisor to get personalized guidance and answers to your questions.
Experience IMD for yourself
Join a complementary masterclass of information session and dive into topics such as leadership, AI, strategy, and more. You’ll discover more about how we teach and explore our executive programs along the way. See all upcoming IMD events.
“We want people to build an appetite for driving change, to see opportunities for innovation and creating new initiatives.” – Knut Haanaes, Program Director
Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Sustainability, Switzerland
My biggest takeaway from the course was to think about sustainability just like other functions. Serious like safety, structured like quality, and as a long-term investment like R&D. Also, it is important to always think about value. Recognizing the value of sustainability brings the business case and creates pull from stakeholders. Pushing sustainability without value is like swimming against the current.
Risk Expert and Sustainability Consultant, Switzerland
Leading Sustainable Business Transformation was amazingly insightful and led by passionate professors who are connected to reality. I built hard and soft skills and learned so much though a blend of experience-sharing, constructive feedback, and bonding activities with peers.
Managing Director, Danone, Austria
Leading Sustainable Business Transformation combines knowledge, inspiration, leadership, and networking to bring sustainability into all types of organizations. I recommend this program because the professors, the speakers, and the participants are guaranteed to help you progress on your own personal sustainability challenges. The connections you make are diverse and invaluable.
Senior Public Affairs & External Communications Leader, Switzerland
The Leading Sustainable Business Transformation course was an incredibly enriching learning experience that surpassed all my expectations. The insights gained on leading sustainability strategies and projects through real-world challenges were impactful and deep. Collaborating with a diverse and super-cool cohort of international change-makers and making new friends from all around the world was personally very meaningful for me. It was simply powerful to see what 25 people from a dozen or more nations that came together in a room achieved in just four days!
Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Nespresso, Israel
I got so many ideas and so much inspiration, knowledge and energy from my peers and professors. The program highlighted the power of collaboration as well as the importance of having a disruptor’s mindset and understanding non-market stakeholder engagement. Among many other activities, we applied the future-back method to climate change and exercised storytelling as a powerful tool to make our messages matter. The extraordinary professors are now my heroes and my inspiration to continue the sustainable business transformation journey.
Founder & President of Swiss-Vietnamese Business Gateway
I chose the program with three objectives: find a remedy to my skepticism about sustainability, strengthen my ESG expertise, and join the school’s powerful alumni communities. I completed the program receiving more than expected.
Corporate Strategy Director, Siemens, Germany
The blend of liVe, online, and face-to-face training is fantastic. There is a supportive community of participants who are experiencing similar challenges to you. And different industry players help you understand how to address your own sustainability transformation challenges.
Sustainability Manager, SLB, United States
I’m grateful for this collaborative journey with inspiring peers from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Special thanks to our dedicated program director Knut Haanaes and all the other IMD professors for their guidance and insights. I’m ready to apply these learnings to help drive impactful change in the world!
VP Strategy Animal Nutrition Business Line, Evonik Operations GmbH, Germany
The case studies are inspiring. You learn how other companies are embracing sustainability transformation so you can incorporate what’s relevant into your own strategy. And the program structure gives big value. You get time to reflect and to share ideas back in your company and work together on your learnings.
When we say “real impact”, we mean it. After attending this program in 2024, participants stated:
“I gained practical tools and ideas that are relevant for me.”
“I could better choose and focus on priorities.”
“I took practical steps to achieve my objectives more effectively.”
“I took practical steps that enhance the performance of my team/organization.”
Program content
The Leading Sustainable Business Transformation program uniquely combines strategic foresight (head), leadership qualities (heart), and practical action (hands) to inspire successful sustainability transformation. Embark on an immersive learning experience designed for maximum impact on your development. Learn from cutting-edge research, real-world examples, guest lecturers, case studies, and dynamic group discussions. Supported by an executive coach, you’ll turn your newly acquired knowledge into tangible operational success.
Overview
Meet the experts who will guide you to success. IMD’s Leading Sustainable Business Transformation program is delivered to you by a world-class faculty of professors to bring you the richest of real-world applications and the latest thought leadership.
Apply for this IMD program
Upcoming program dates: 29 April 2026, 5 October 2026
Length: 3 days liVe virtual, 5 weeks online, and 3 days on campus.
Price: CHF 9,900
Tuition, teaching materials, and lunch are included.
All fees quoted are exclusive of any value-added or other indirect taxes that may be due in any country.
IMD reserves the right to modify the program dates, location, and fee at any time.
Read more about IMD’s admissions policy and general terms & conditions. View full details.
