Programs

International Board Certificate Program | BoD CAS

International Board Certificate

Flexible
Start

As a member of a Board of Directors or Executive Management in internationally operating organizations, you navigate increasingly complex global markets as well as diverse cultural and regulatory environments. You analyze international developments, identify opportunities and risks at an early stage, and make well-informed decisions that support sustainable success and effective global governance.

The International Board Certificate Program provides the key competencies required and strengthens leaders for responsibilities in international boards.

Target Audience

  • Experienced Member of the Executive Board
  • Aspiring Member of the Board of Directors
  • Experienced Member of the Board of Directors
  • Aspiring Chair of the Board of Directors
  • Experienced Chair of the Board of Directors

Benefits

International board competencies

Develop the skills to lead and govern in international and multicultural environments.

Flexible program structure

Start flexibly and complete missing modules in the following year.

Innovative learning formats

Experience interactive, practical formats such as board simulations, real-life case studies, and board talks.

Excellent faculty

Learn from leading experts with academic excellence and extensive international board experience.

  • Valuable exchange of experience: Benefit from exchanges with international board and executive members.

  • International Certification: Graduate with the internationally recognized International Board Certificate.

  • Practice-oriented final project: Analyze an organization of your choice and develop actionable recommendations.

  • Global Network: Become a member of the Swiss Institute of Directors and gain access to over 40 partner organizations of ecoDa and GNDI worldwide.

Program Structure

Board Responsibility & Accountability

  • Introduction to the program and exchange among participants
  • Duties, obligations, and liability of board members
  • Legal foundations of board activities
  • Corporate governance in different contexts and situations
  • Role and self-understanding of the board of directors

Board Leadership & Dynamics

  • Composition and constitution of the board
  • The board as an effective decision-making team
  • Roles and collaboration between Chair, CEO, and board secretary
  • Country spotlights: Germany, Nordics, UK

Strategy & Innovation for Boards

  • Role of the board in the strategy process
  • Collaboration between owners, board, and management
  • Board contributions to innovation, diversification, and transformation
  • Role of the board in cooperation and partnerships
  • Country spotlights: France, Italy, Spain

Finance & Audit for Boards

  • Key accounting and reporting standards
  • Role of the board in defining the finance strategy
  • Role of the external auditor and internal controls
  • Responsibilities and role of the audit committee
  • Country spotlights: Canada, Mexico, US

Culture & Organization for Boards

  • Board contributions to organizational design
  • Role of the board in shaping corporate culture
  • Board responsibilities in HR and personnel matters
  • Board role in selecting, evaluating, and compensating executive management
  • Country spotlights: Argentina, Brazil, Chile

Risk & Compliance for Boards

  • Risk management and compliance at board level
  • Managing conflicts of interest within the board
  • Contractual and tax-related risks from a board perspective
  • Crisis management and risk oversight
  • Country spotlights: Gulf States, Nigeria, South Africa

Communication & Collaboration for Boards

  • Role of the board in dealing with the public and media
  • Relations with government, politics, and civil society
  • Communication with investors and other stakeholders
  • Addressing new technologies, sustainability and geopolitical developments
  • Country spotlights: China, India, Japan

Board Development & Transformation

  • Presentation and discussion of capstone projects
  • Governance analysis of a selected organization
  • Application of concepts learned in the program
  • Identification of governance strengths and development areas
  • Development of concrete recommendations for improvement

Faculty

  • Prof. Dr. Jean Philippe Bonardi

    Dozent

    Prof. Dr. Jean Philippe Bonardi

    Dozent

  • Isabelle Chappuis

    Dozentin

    Isabelle Chappuis

    Dozentin

  • Markus Herrmann

    Dozent

    Markus Herrmann

    Dozent

  • Prof. Dr. Martin Hilb

    Dozent

    Prof. Dr. Martin Hilb

    Dozent

  • Michael Hilb

    Prof. Dr. Michael Hilb

    Programmleiter

    Prof. Dr. Michael Hilb

    Programmleiter

  • Felix Horber

    Dr. Felix Horber

    Modulleiter

    Dr. Felix Horber

    Modulleiter

  • Dr. Bijan Khezri

    Dozent

    Dr. Bijan Khezri

    Dozent

  • Prof. Dr. Harry Korine

    Dozent

    Prof. Dr. Harry Korine

    Dozent

  • Dr. Mark Macus

    Modulleiter

    Dr. Mark Macus

    Modulleiter

  • Prof. Dr. Guido Palazzo

    Dozent

    Prof. Dr. Guido Palazzo

    Dozent

  • Prof. Dr. Marianne Schmid-Mast

    Dozentin

    Prof. Dr. Marianne Schmid-Mast

    Dozentin

  • Dr. Nina Spielmann

    Dozentin

    Dr. Nina Spielmann

    Dozentin

  • Prof. Dr. Olivier Verscheure

    Dozent

    Prof. Dr. Olivier Verscheure

    Dozent

  • Prof. Dr. Rudolf Grünig

    Professor

  • Dr. Hans-Jochen Jaeger

    Tax Expert

Locations

Module Dates

27
Modul Datum Ort
Module 1: Normative Governance 29.-30.1.27 St.Gallen
Module 2: Dynamic Governance 12.-13.3.27 Lausanne
Module 3: Strategic Governance 14.-15.5.27 Weggis
Module 4: Financial Governance 18.-19.6.27 Ermatingen
Module 5: Organizational Governance 13.-14.8.27 Arosa
Module 6: Preventive Governance 10.-11.09.27 Gwatt/Thun
Module 7: Relational Governance 29.-30.10.27 Lausanne
Module 8: Transformative Governance 10.12.27 St.Gallen
26
Modul Datum Ort
Module 1: Normative Governance 30.-31.1.26 St.Gallen
Module 2: Dynamic Governance 13.-14.3.26 Lausanne
Module 3: Strategic Governance 24.-25.4.26 Weggis
Module 4: Financial Governance 12.-13.6.26 Ermatingen
Module 5: Organizational Governance 14.-15.8.26 Arosa
Module 6: Preventive Governance 11.-12.09.26 Gwatt/Thun
Module 7: Relational Governance 30.-31.10.26 Lausanne
Module 8: Transformative Governance 11.12.26 St.Gallen
Partner

Overview

Language English
Location(s) Arosa, Ematingen, Lausanne, St.Gallen, Thun and Weggis
Investment CHF 19’500
Duration 15 days
Format 7 course blocks of 2 days (Friday & Saturday) and final module
DegreeInternational Board Certificate
Flexible StartYou can join at any module.
ECTS10
Contact

Share this

Questions?

Make the right decision

Not sure which board program best fits your needs, or would you like to learn more about the content? Our team is happy to support you with personalized advice.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Your Swiss Board School team

Programs

These programs may also be of interest to you

Family Governance Masterclass FR

Renforcez vos compétences en gouvernance des entreprises familiales.

  • 17.9.2026open
Durée 0.5 Jour
Langue Français
Site(s) Genève
Investissement Gratuit pour les membres SIoD

Family Governance Programm

Stärken Sie Ihre Kompetenz in der Führung und Aufsicht von Familienunternehmen.

  • 4.9.2026 - 5.9.2026open
Dauer 2 Tage
Sprache Deutsch
Standort(e) St.Gallen
Investition CHF 2'500

AI Governance Masterclass IT

Sviluppa le tue competenze di leadership nel consiglio di amministrazione in materia di regolamentazione dell'intelligenza artificiale.

  • 20.8.2026open
Durata 13.00-17.00
Lingua Italiano
Località Auditorio Banca Stato, Bellinzona
Investimento gratuito

Family Governance Masterclass DE

Stärken Sie Ihre Kompetenz in der Governance von Familienunternehmen.

  • 11.5.2026fully booked
Dauer 0.5 Tage
Sprache Deutsch
Standort(e) Zürich
Investition Kostenlos für SIoD Mitglieder

Corso compatto CdA

Ottenete una visione d’insieme dei vostri compiti e responsabilità in qualita' di membri del consiglio di amministrazione.

  • 11.11.2026open
Durata 1 giorno
Lingua Italiano
Località USI Lugano
Investimento CHF 1'250

Board Bootcamp

Stärken Sie Ihre Entscheidungs- und Führungskompetenz als VR in Krisen.

  • 2.10.2026 - 3.10.2026open
Dauer 2 Tage
Sprache Deutsch
Standort(e) Kriens
Investition CHF 2'500 (inkl. Übernachtung und Verpflegung)

Cours secrétariat CA

Acquérez des connaissances pratiques pour une gestion efficace du secrétariat du conseil d’administration.

  • 17.6.2027open
Durée 1 Jour
Langue Français
Site(s) Lausanne
Investissement CHF 1'250

VR-Sekretariats-Kurs

Erwerben Sie praxisnahes Wissen für eine effiziente Führung des VR-Sekretariats.

  • 26.8.2026open
Dauer 1 Tag
Sprache Deutsch
Standort(e) Zürich
Investition CHF 1'250

Board Chair Program

Enhance your effectiveness as a Chair and lead transformation at the board level.

  • 6.11.2026 - 7.11.2026open
Duration 2 days
Language English
Location(s) Spiez
Investment CHF 3'750 (incl. accommodation)

Board Officer Diplom-Programm

Stärken Sie Ihre Kompetenzen als wirksamer Board Secretary bzw. Officer im ersten spezialisierten Diplom-Programm in der Schweiz.

  • 13.8.2026 - 15.8.2026open
Dauer 3 Tage
Sprache Deutsch
Standort(e) Luzern
Investition CHF 7'750 (inkl. Übernachtungen)

Board Diploma Program

Develop your board leadership competencies as a diploma-certified board director.

  • 28.5.2027 - 31.5.2027open
Duration 3 days
Language English
Location(s) Thun
Investment CHF 7'750 (incl. accommodation)

AI Governance Masterclass EN

Develop your board leadership compatencies in governing artificial intelligence.

  • 28.5.2026fully booked
Duration 0.5 Day
Language English
Location(s) Berne
Investment Free for SIoD members

Empowering Board Leaders

Profitieren Sie vom vollen Spektrums des kombinierten Angebots der Swiss Board School, des Swiss Institute of Directors und des International Center for Corporate Governance.

Develop

Verschaffen Sie sich das nötige Rüstzeug, um ein noch effektiverer Board Leader zu werden. Profitieren Sie von einem breiten Spektrum an Programmen und Services, die beste VR-Praktiken mit hervorragender Weiterbildung und Netzwerkopportunitäten verbindet.

Connect

Pflegen Sie Ihr Netzwerk und tauschen Sie Ideen mit anderen Board Leadern aus, die mit den gleichen Chancen und Herausforderungen konfrontiert sind. Entwickeln Sie Ihr Board-Portfolio, indem Sie Möglichkeiten für offene Board-Positionen identifizieren, bewerten und verfolgen.

Inspire

Gewinnen Sie Einblicke in die neuesten regulatorischen Entwicklungen und die akademische Forschung im Bereich Corporate Governance. Bleiben Sie der Zeit voraus, indem Sie sich über kommende Trends und Entwicklungen informieren, damit Sie Ihren Gremien einen echten Mehrwert bieten können.