It is with deep sadness that we share that Bettina Büchel, Professor of Strategy and Organization and cherished member of the IMD community, passed away on 9 April.
Professor Büchel joined IMD in 2000 as one of the first female faculty members. Over the past 25 years, she consistently pushed boundaries and personified the school’s core values of being pioneering, open, collaborative, and brave.
An expert on strategy implementation, new business development, and change management, Professor Büchel was instrumental in expanding IMD’s global footprint. She served as the founding director of IMD’s Asia hub in Singapore and later as Dean of Programs and Innovation, playing a vital role in shaping the school’s educational and strategic direction.
Colleagues and staff fondly remembered her strong sense of community and her ability to inspire through generosity, creativity, and courage.
“IMD will not be the same without Bettina,” said IMD President David Bach. “She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and learning from her. Bettina cared deeply about the IMD community and embodied the very essence of our institution, ensuring that every voice was heard.”
In recognition of her enduring impact, Büchel was recently honored as the first recipient of the IMD Impact Through Innovation award, celebrating her commitment to fostering collaboration, inspiring bold thinking, and embracing fearless experimentation.
Her colleagues consistently highlighted her generosity of spirit, her support for new faculty members, and her courage in speaking truth to power.
“When I joined IMD just short of 9 years ago, Bettina was the professor I aspired to become,” shared Jennifer Jordan, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior, at a recent event to celebrate Büchel’s life and legacy. “Bettina’s actions always were in the direction of one thing: making IMD a better place to work and making IMD a better place to work with.”
Professor Büchel’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Public Administration from the University of Constance, Germany. She went on to earn a Master’s in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Rutgers University in the United States, and later completed a PhD in Business Administration and Management at the University of Geneva.
Büchel authored several books and articles on smarter strategy execution and related topics. She also led custom programs for major corporations, including fast-moving consumer goods groups, B2B firms, and specialty chemicals companies. Notably, the custom program she developed for Moroccan state-owned mining and fertilizer firm OCP in partnership with Africa Business School won the EFMD Excellence in Practice Gold Award in 2022.
Beyond academia, Büchel was also active in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She was an angel investor, served on the board of a private equity firm, and collaborated with venture capital funds to evaluate and support startups.
Her lifelong dedication to helping organizations successfully implement strategic initiatives through innovative teaching and learning tools leaves an indelible legacy in the field.
Seán Meehan, Professor of Marketing and Management, emphasized the lasting significance of Büchel’s work. “As faculty, program director, and management team member, she was admired by colleagues, participants, alumni, clients, and board members alike for her unwavering commitment to IMD’s values. Her impact on IMD is profound and enduring.”
The IMD community extends its heartfelt condolences to Professor Büchel’s family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.
