Didier Cossin

Program Director

Didier Cossin is Chaired Professor of Governance and Finance, leading IMD Global Board Center.

Didier Cossin

Program Director

Didier Cossin is Chaired Professor of Governance and Finance, leading IMD Global Board Center.

Meet your Program Director

Didier Cossin is the founder and director of the IMD Global Board Center, the originator of the Four Pillars of Board Effectiveness methodology and an advocate of Stewardship. He is the author and co-author of books such as Inspiring Stewardship, book chapters (such as Governance Risk: A Guide for Investors) and many articles in the fields of governance, investments, risks and stewardship, several of which have obtained citations of excellence or other awards.

Professor Cossin works with owners, boards and senior leaders to provide the latest thinking on best-in-class governance, board effectiveness, the governance and selection of investments, board dynamics and strategy design. He favors an adaptive and interactive approach to finding distinctive solutions for organizations on a wide range of governance topics. His latest research focuses on stewardship, how we can foster organizations to have long-term positive social impact while creating economic value for all. His past research has dealt with optimizing governance in critical decision making, M&As and risks.

Article

Why ESG should really read GES

The governance aspect of ESG is a fundamental driver of environmental and social quality. Our experts outline the methodology required to ensure board-level leadership in sustainability.

Sustainability Corporate Governance

By Didier Cossin and Abraham Hongze Lu

17 March 2022

Article

Beyond Bezos: Amazon’s prime movers face a tricky transition

Jeff Bezos will find the move from CEO to Chairman of the Board far from easy. Didier Cossin and Michael Watkins offer advice on avoiding the pitfalls. As Jeff Bezos is soon to learn, the qualities that make a great CEO do not necessarily make a g…

Corporate Governance

By Didier Cossin and Michael D. Watkins

17 June 2021

Article

3 key challenges to central bank governance – and how they are reshaping the global economy

The governance of central banks is being challenged. They have lost the clarity of their mandate, they are structurally losing their independence, and they are expected to fulfil social and quasi-political responsibilities without corresponding le…

Finance Corporate Governance Sustainability

By Didier Cossin and Elisabeth Bourqui

13 February 2020

Article

The four tiers of conflict of interest faced by board directors

Conflicts of interest abound at the board level. They constitute a significant issue in that they affect ethics by distorting decision making and generating consequences that can undermine the credibility of boards, organizations or even entire ec…

Corporate Governance Board Ethics

By Didier Cossin and Abraham Hongze Lu

19 May 2017

Anand Narasimhan

Shell Professor of Global Leadership and Dean of Research

Anand Narasimhan is Shell Professor of Global Leadership and Dean of Research. He focuses on top team and board dynamics and their impact on organizational transformation. He works with board directors and senior executives on how to enhance their leadership presence to create a positive impact on their followers and stakeholders. Anand’s teachi…

Öykü Işık

Professor of Digital Strategy and Cybersecurity

Öykü Işık is Professor of Digital Strategy and Cybersecurity. She is an expert on digital resilience and the ways in which disruptive technologies challenge our society and organizations. Named on the Thinkers50 Radar 2022 list of up-and-coming global thought leaders, she helps businesses to tackle cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital ethic…

Michael Yaziji

Professor of Strategy and Leadership

Michael Yaziji is Professor of Strategy and Leadership. With two PhDs, his expertise spans strategy, leadership, and sustainability. In the area of strategy, his current focus is on artificial intelligence, on which he lectures regularly. He leads the IMD faculty interest group on the topic and initiatives across multiple institutions (IMD, EPFL…

Goutam Challagalla

Professor of Strategy and Marketing and Dentsu Group Chair in Sustainable Strategy and Marketing

Goutam Challagalla is Dentsu Chaired Professor of Marketing. He focuses on how digital advances and sustainability concerns are impacting companies’ business strategies and approaches to marketing. Having helped companies to rethink their business models and build new capabilities in the face of the digital revolution, he is now helping to integr…

Ric Roi

Affiliate Professor of Leadership and Organization

Ric Roi is Affiliate Professor of Leadership and Organization. He is a senior business psychologist who advises boards and CEOs on matters related to board renewal, CEO succession, and leadership transitions. He is also an expert in top team effectiveness and strategic talent management solutions. He has extensive experience in consulting and has l…

Louise Muhdi

Affiliate Professor of Innovation and Strategy

Louise Muhdi is Affiliate Professor of Innovation and Strategy. She helps organizations rapidly adapt to an uncertain and fast-changing business environment, drive innovation and growth, and sustain value creation for the long term. She enables executives to develop the capabilities, skills, tools, and mindsets needed to successfully lead and manag…

Guest Speakers

Experts regularly join the High Performance Boards program to share their experience. Here are some of our recent guest speakers.

Christoph Franz Chairman, Roche Holding AG Board Member, Stadler Rail AG and Zurich Insurance Company Ltd	Estelle Métayer Chair of the Board, Nortera Board Member at several companies, including Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) inc. and Audemars Piguet
Michel Demaré Chairman, AstraZeneca, IMD Business School, and Nomoko Board member, Vodafone and Louis Dreyfus Company	Marie-Christine Coisne-Roquette Chairwoman, Sonepar S.A.S and Colam Entreprendre Board Member, TotalEnergies and EssilorLuxottica
Eunice Zehnder-Lai Vice Chair, Geberit Board Member, DKSH, Julius Baer, Asia Society Switzerland and education.or	Olaug Svarva Chair of the Board, DNB Bank ASA, Norfund Board Member, Institute of International Finance (IIF), Investinor, and Freyr Battery
Paul Bulcke Chairman, Nestlé Board responsibilities at several companies, including L’Oréal, WEF, and Avenir Suisse	Peter Maurer Board responsibilities at several companies, including Zurich Insurance, International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, and Basel Institute on Governance
Raphael Vermeir Board Member, ENI	Elisabeth Bourqui Chairman, Helsana Health Invest Fund Board Member at several companies, including Bank Vontobel and Athora Netherlands