Simon (left) and Chris (right) Muntwyler
Chris Muntwyler is Chief Executive at Conlogic AG, a Swiss-based, leadership consulting and aviation trading company. Before his current role, Chris was CEO of DHL Express UK, after having held a number of regional top executive positions at the global transportation and logistics firm. He previously spent more than 20 years in various high-level posts at Swissair, finishing up as Vice-President of Global Distribution.
Chris has completed several executive education programs at IMD, including the Program for Executive Development (PED) and other customized management courses. During his career, he has also been to Harvard, Wharton and Stanford.
Chris was born in Switzerland but his career has taken him to Sweden, the US, Germany and the UK.
We caught up with Chris to discuss his experience at IMD:
“I’ve been to a number of other top schools but IMD was simply the best, by far,” Chris said.
When asked why he initially chose IMD, Chris said he was attracted by its international diversity, which he felt is much higher than other top schools. This gave him a broader perspective and helped him with his international career.
Another of IMD’s qualities Chris appreciated was that it is demanding, both in terms of content as well as personal development. “IMD puts a lot of pressure on executives to perform, more pressure that you think you can handle,” he said. “You can only grow if you are being pushed beyond your limits.”
“It was probably the most important step in my career. It opened me up to the world of leadership. I was a different person after leaving IMD. Even my wife and colleagues said so,” he added.
IMD has not only left a lasting impression on Chris but the school runs in the family. His son Simon Muntwyler is currently enrolled in the Executive MBA (EMBA) program.
In 2010, the startup company that Simon co-founded, Femtotools, which develops microchip-testing instruments based on a disruptive nano-robotic technology, won IMD’s startup competition.
Now Simon is the Chief Operating Officer at Femtotools. With a masters and PhD in microtechnology, he has a background in engineering but enrolled in the EMBA to strengthen his leadership and management skills.
“Besides strengthening my skills in strategy, finance and marketing, it is the leadership focus at IMD and the interaction with my EMBA colleagues that has an exceptional impact on my professional and even personal life,” said Simon.
“I have seen my son grow since he began at IMD,” said Chris. “He leads his team in a different way.”
“The biggest difference between IMD and other schools for me is that it impacts your whole life; it pushes you to be a better leader,” Chris summed up.
IMD’s Program for Executive Development (PED) is for experienced functional managers who have recently transitioned or will soon transition into a business leadership position.
IMD’s Executive MBA (EMBA) program is for fast-rising, internationally experienced executives.
