Gain and certify the skills to excel as a modern board member
Board education is key to transforming talented individuals into value-adding board members, and evolving their understanding of how boards can best serve organizations. High-performing board members excel in their fiduciary duty of overseeing risk, and represent a real competitive advantage for any company.
With IMD’s Board Diplomas, you’ll embark on a tailored learning journey designed to meet you where you are in your board career – whether you’re preparing for your first mandate or looking to deepen your impact at the highest level. Both diplomas combine flexibility and focus, allowing you to choose thematic programs aligned with your goals. Throughout your experience, you are supported by structured learning journals, individual coaching, assessments, and practical simulations – all designed to reinforce learning and sharpen real-world readiness.
Drawing on the research and world-class thought leadership of the IMD Global Board Center, our governance programs offer the breadth and depth of knowledge necessary for board members to make a truly meaningful contribution in their roles.
Two pathways to board excellence
Whether you are an aspiring board member or you have many years of board experience, IMD has a board diploma pathway for you.
The IMD Board Readiness Diploma equips executive directors and aspiring board members to confidently take up a board mandate. After completing the diploma and accumulating boardroom experience, participants can continue their learning journey and obtain the IMD Board Director Diploma.
The IMD Board Director Diploma is designed for board members and chairpersons looking to take up their role more effectively. With the support of faculty, coaches, and peers, you will develop an understanding of the levers that elevate board practice and work on a personal action plan as you reflect on what your skills, background, personality, and values can bring to a board.
Non-Executive Director, Elliott Scott HR & Member of the Board of Advisors, Lifeed, Italy
With boards comes responsibility. Transitioning to a board career demands good governance foundations and solid frameworks. IMD provided just that, with its blend of theory and practice. Being certified with the diploma and having that boards language provides credibility, depth and experience.
Executive Chairman, Thejo Engineering Limited, India
The different programs of the IMD Board Director Diploma have empowered me to make real use of the learnings around board processes, team dynamics and managing politics. With global participants and targeted learning, this diploma shows you what is truly achievable for your board.
Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Louis Dreyfus Company, Singapore
As a board member you need to stay on your toes and keep learning to understand what’s happening globally and contribute to the growth of the company. With the diploma I grew as a board member in terms of professional knowledge, with a new way of looking at things and the capacity to ask the right questions around a business plan. The programs reenergize you and change the way you approach your work with boards.
Non-Executive Board Member and Chair of the Sustainability & Ethics Committee at Stora Enso, Finland
I had been on a board before but wanted to be effective and clearer on the role and governance of a board. The IMD Board Director Diploma gave me the skills and confidence for my next mandate.
CEO, APM Terminals, Independent NED and board member at various companies, The Netherlands
I was looking for programs that would really provide the framework for my board work. The diploma offered the rich content and the modular learning that I was after for my roles on various boards.
Vice-Chair Board of Directors, Vontobel Swiss Financial Advisers AG, Switzerland
I’m formally launching my board career. IMD’s board education is a strong credential to evidence good board governance skills that drive impact and value. Executive search firms are very interested to know that I have this diploma. It honed my governance experience and skill set and broadened my perspective. I now have a better awareness of where I could have blind spots and the actions I can take to work on them.
Founder & Deputy CEO, Arctica Finance, Iceland
IMD enlightened me on how exemplary boards function and helped me find my role and balance on boards in order to make a real contribution. Anyone who is an aspiring board member and wants to feel prepared for the next stage really needs to take this diploma.
Map out your journey
Browse our 2025 governance program calendar, and start tailoring your learning journey today.
Choose from a wide portfolio of governance programs, and personalize your learning journey to best match your development goals.
