For years, Sybille Buchwald-Werner thrived in the driver’s seat: co-founding a successful nutraceutical company, building global teams, and transforming cutting-edge science into real-world solutions. As a pharmaceutical scientist turned entrepreneur, she was known for execution: precise, purposeful, and high impact.
But when her company was acquired after 14 years, Buchwald-Werner found herself in a new place, with time to reflect, step back, and rethink her path.
“I realized my real strength wasn’t just execution. It was bringing people together, aligning strategy, and thinking long-term,” she said. “I didn’t want to just build products anymore. I wanted to shape outcomes.”
That shift – from doing to guiding – marked the start of her board journey. The boardroom, she realized, wasn’t just a new challenge. It was a platform for broader influence.
From action to oversight
Governance felt like a natural next step; a way to apply her experience at a broader level. But Buchwald-Werner knew that a seat at the table wasn’t enough. She wanted to show up with credibility, clarity, and the mindset of an effective board director. And for that, she needed the right structure, language, and tools.
That’s when she came across High Performance Boards, a book by Chaired Professor of Governance and Finance at IMD Didier Cossin. It sparked something.
“It was accessible, clearly written, deeply insightful, even emotional,” she recalled. “It made governance feel relevant and purposeful.”
The book led her to pursue IMD’s Board Readiness Diploma, where she selected modules focused on risk, finance, and sustainability.
“For me, this wasn’t about collecting credentials. It was about growing into the kind of leader who creates lasting value – at every table I sit at, whether in the boardroom, in business, or in society.”
Early on in her journey, theory gave way to practice.
Buchwald-Werner recalls that one of the most transformational moments occurred during a high-pressure simulation. She was assigned the role of board chair during a mock cybersecurity crisis. The challenge wasn’t just navigating reputational and regulatory risk; it was resisting the instinct to act like an executive.
“Because we were all executives, we naturally jumped into action. But that’s not the board’s role. I had to guide, not solve. That mindset shift was one of the most important lessons of the entire program, and it carried through into my other electives.”
A shared journey of reinvention
One of the unexpected highlights of the diploma journey was the cohort itself. She was surrounded by senior leaders from diverse industries – finance, energy, biotech, tech, and beyond – all navigating their transitions toward board-level influence.
“Our backgrounds were completely different, but we were all on the same journey as we started our second careers,” she said. “The conversations were open, honest, and deeply insightful. There was no one dominating, no one left behind. Everyone had something valuable to say, and the mutual respect was incredible.”
She formed close connections with other scientists and entrepreneurs, as well as a tight-knit circle of women leaders. Their support continues today, through regular messages and even upcoming travel plans.
Board ready – and backed by experience
While still completing the diploma, Buchwald-Werner was elected to the board of Women in Nutraceuticals, a global nonprofit she had helped found. Armed with her new board toolkit, she hit the ground running.
“The experience gave me a language, not just for governance, but for value creation. I was able to contribute immediately in a more strategic, structured way,” she explained.
At the same time, she launched Newday, a consultancy and personal brand focused on purpose-driven leadership and transformation. It wasn’t just a business move; it was a declaration of identity.
“The IMD program helped me align my experience with my values. It gave me the courage to stand for something, not just execute something.”
Shaping systems, not just products
Today, Buchwald-Werner blends her scientific background, entrepreneurial mindset, and board experience to help organizations navigate complexity and scale with purpose. She mentors emerging leaders, champions diversity, and continues to explore board opportunities in healthcare, tech, and sustainability.
But for her, this isn’t a career shift. It’s a new platform that aligns with her long-held belief in systems thinking and long-term value creation.
“The board is where you can shape outcomes, challenge assumptions, and help organizations lead with purpose, and I’m ready for that.”
