IMD announced today a leadership transition at its Global Board Center, with Chaired Professor of Governance and Finance Didier Cossin stepping down after more than a decade as Director. Having shaped the Center into a globally recognized authority on board effectiveness and governance, Cossin will pass the baton to Professor of Finance Salvatore Cantale, who will lead its next chapter.
“I am deeply grateful to Didier for his extraordinary contribution to IMD and to the global governance community,” said David Bach, President of IMD. “Over the past 16 years, he has built the Global Board Center into a trusted partner for boards around the world and established IMD as a global leader in board education and governance research.”
IMD’s recent strategic partnership with Egon Zehnder and the launch of its first-ever Certificate of Advanced Studies in board governance reflect the growing global demand for board development and reinforce our ambition to equip boards with the insights and capabilities they need to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Under Cossin’s leadership, the Center and IMD’s board portfolio have become one of IMD’s principal vehicles for creating impact among those making strategic decisions at the top of organizations around the world.
Cossin will remain a full-time IMD faculty member, continuing to lead several of signature programs, including High Performance Boards, The Role of the Chair, and Mastering Board Governance, as well as delivering custom governance programs for organizations around the world.
“Building on the remarkable foundation laid by Didier, I look forward to working with the Board Center team, our faculty, our partners, and the global governance community to further strengthen IMD’s impact in board education, governance research, and practice,” said Cantale.
Cantale brings extensive experience in board education to his new role. He currently co-directs IMD’s Finance for Boards and Driving Sustainability from the Boardroom programs and is a key faculty member for several governance-focused custom programs in Europe and the Middle East. His expertise at the intersection of corporate governance and asset management positions him well to deepen the Center’s engagement with key stakeholders.
The leadership transition comes at a time when boards face growing complexity, from rapid technological change and geopolitical uncertainty to demographic shifts. IMD’s research consistently demonstrates that effective governance is a critical driver of business success and national competitiveness.
