IMD has launched the Hoffmann Risk and Resilience Initiative, funded by a generous grant from Swiss business leader and environmentalist André Hoffmann. This new initiative is designed to bring the sustainability conversation back into the boardroom and support companies in becoming more resilient and in creating lasting positive impact across business and society.
Hoffmann, who is Vice Chairman of Roche and Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees at the World Economic Forum, has a longstanding commitment to sustainability. This initiative builds on the work he has been doing for years to equip business leaders with the skills to pursue sustainable and inclusive prosperity.
“We need to equip the leadership with the latest tools. I cannot imagine a better partner than IMD to do that. They are close to business, teaching, research, and this is how we’re going to be able to evolve towards truly sustainable prosperity.” said Hoffmann.
Led by Professor of Sustainability and Accounting Florian Hoos, the initiative responds to the urgent need for capacity building and new frameworks and tools around sustainability and resilience that support boards and top executives in leading their organizations through an era of profound environmental, societal, and technological change.
“Science and the changes we are seeing in the world have given us a clearer understanding of the sustainability risks and opportunities shaping the future of business and society. The challenge now is to turn this knowledge into meaningful action. By working closely with board members and top executives, we aim to bridge rigorous research and real-world experience to co-create practical approaches that strengthen corporate resilience and create long-term value,” said Hoos.
IMD’s expertise in applied scientific research and executive education, combined with its close ties with business leaders and boards around the world, makes it a strong enabler of this work. As a meeting place for management practice and academic expertise, IMD brings together researchers, board members, investors, and executives to share perspectives and work together to develop solutions to shape the future and drive real organizational transformation.
The first step will be to build a strong research foundation and stakeholder engagement before translating insights into actionable learning resources such as a practical playbook and digital learning tools. The final stage will focus on bringing these tools to a global audience, supporting their adoption in practice.
The initiative will equip board members and top executives with the knowledge and tools to navigate the “safe and just” space defined by scientists, taking into consideration planetary limits and a social foundation of human well-being. This work reflects IMD’s broader purpose to develop leaders who transform organizations for a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive world.
