Prof. Dr. Michael Hilb

Michael Hilb is founder of DBP Group, Chair of the Board Foundation and a board member of several publicly listed and private companies as well as foundations and international organizations.

Michael is Titular Professor at the University of Fribourg and teaches strategy and corporate governance at the Universities of St.Gallen and Zurich as well as at Singapore Management University. He is the author and co-author of seven books and more than 50 articles.

Previously, Michael was a Vice President of DKSH, where he and his team built a leading, profitable pan-Asian digital business, and held various executive positions at Roland Berger and Holcim.

Michael was a Visiting Fellow at INSEAD and Harvard University and studied business at the University of Michigan, the Stockholm School of Economics and the University of St.Gallen, where he earned his MSc and PhD.

 

Hilb Michael Prof. Dr.
Prof. Dr. Michael Hilb

Chair, Board Foundation

Read from Prof. Dr. Michael Hilb

Insights

  • Board Views

    From Corporate Governance of Sustainability to Sustainable Corporate Governance

    What is the best way to integrate sustainability into the corporate governance framework? Boards of directors have chosen two distinct paths: the functional way, which focuses on corporate governance of sustainability, and the foundational approach, which leads to sustainable corporate governance. This article assesses the merits and limitations of both approaches and calls for a transition to sustainable governance. This requires board members to engage regularly with stakeholders and to continuously debate the underlying assumptions to further develop the governance framework as required.

  • Board Views

    The Multipurpose Corporation as a Driver for Sustainable Value Creation

    The nature of the debate on the role of business in society strongly suggests a cyclical nature, with constant attempts to balance different interests and perspectives. To overcome the illusion of solving this conundrum, this article proposes an alternative approach, multipurpose capitalism. It posits that companies should compete not only on their products and services, but also on their different purpose profiles. It is left to consumers, workers, and investors to decide where to shop, work, and invest. The article offers a framework and methodology to create a comprehensive ecosystem that enables this matching process and suggests ways to overcome the challenges along the way.

  • Board Views

    The Board as Driver of Sustainable Change

    Responsibility is key to good governance. The article links corporate citizenship with innovation, urging boards to support social impact.

  • Board Views

    Striving for Excellence in Venture Governance

    The contribution of the venture board to entrepreneurial value creation, and its pivotal role in venture ecosystems, is often overlooked despite a long history of venture governance. History teaches us six principles of excellence in venture governance.

  • Board Views

    The Promise and Perils of Agile Governance

    Agility as a leadership principle has gained enormous importance in recent years. Many companies proclaim agility as a new leadership culture that is better aligned to future opportunities and challenges. At the same time, companies must adhere to corporate governance principles, some of which conflict with agility principles. This article presents considerations for improving the compatibility of agile leadership principles with the principles of effective corporate governance.

  • Board Views

    From Corporate to Ecosystem Governance

    Mastering ecosystems is increasingly seen as key to strategic value creation in highly dynamic environments. The role of governance has become a key differentiator between organizations that win or lose from the ecosystem game. This article discusses the importance of governance to the successful creation, development, and growth of ecosystems and presents eight challenges to be addressed along the ecosystem lifecycle. It continues with a taxonomy of ecosystem governance that provides a menu of effective governance mechanisms to address these challenges. The article concludes with advice on how best to manage the transition from a corporate governance to an ecosystem governance focus.

  • Board Views

    Mission Accomplished? The State of Digital Governance

    Five years ago, I invited a number of thought leaders to reflect with me on the role of the board of directors in the face of digitalization. The result was a collection of twelve perspectives on the governance of digitalization (Hilb 2017). Where are we now, five years, one pandemic, and perceived thousands of articles on digital governance later?

  • Board Guides

    Guidelines on the Corporate Governance of Data

  • Board Guides

    Guidelines on the Corporate Governance of Startups

  • Board Books

    Governance of Sustainability

  • Board Books

    Governance of Ecosystems

  • Board Books

    Governace of Ventures

Learn from Prof. Dr. Michael Hilb

Programs

  • Hospital Governance 25

    Der Spitalrat: Wirksame Führung und Aufsicht von Spitälern

    • 29.4.2025open
    Dauer 1 Tag
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Zürich-Flughafen
    Investition CHF 1'250
  • Entwicklung des VR-Portfolios 25

    Vermittelt fundiertes Wissen, um ein wertvolles Portfolio an Mandaten erfolgreich aufzubauen.

    • 12.9.2025open
    Dauer 1 Tag
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Zürich-Flughafen
    Investition CHF 1250
  • Board Officer & Secretary Diplom-Programm 25

    Ihr Weg zum diplomierten Board Officer & Secretary - das erste Programm in der Schweiz.

    • 14.8.2025 - 16.8.2025open
    Dauer 3 Tage
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Zug
    Investition CHF 7'750 (inkl. Kursmaterial, Übernachtung, Mittagessen, Pausenerfrischung, Nachtessen und Social Events).
  • Zusammenarbeit & Nachhaltigkeit für den VR 24.2

    Vermittelt fundiertes Wissen in Hinblick auf Zusammenarbeit und Nachhaltigkeit für den Verwaltungsrat.

    • 20.12.2024open
    Dauer 1 Halbtag
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Zürich-Flughafen
    Investition CHF 1'250
  • VR-Diplom-Programm 24.2

    Stattet Sie mit umfassendem Verständnis und praktischen Werkzeugen zur effektiven Ausübung eines Verwaltungsrats-Mandats aus.

    • 23.8.2024 - 20.12.2024fully booked
    Dauer 6 Halbtage
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Zürich-Flughafen
    Investition CHF 7'750
  • VR-Zertifikats-Programm 24.2

    Befähigt Sie als Verwaltungsrätin und Verwaltungsrat einen effektiven Beitrag zur wirksamen Führung und Aufsicht von Unternehmen und Organisationen zu leisten.

    • 16.8.2024 - 7.6.2025fully booked
    Dauer 16 Tage
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Ittingen, Lenzerheide, Luzern, St.Gallen und Weggis
    Investition CHF 19’500
  • International Board Certificate Program 24

    Enables you to become an effective board director in international companies and organizations.

    • 26.1.2024 - 30.11.2024fully booked
    Duration 16 days
    Language English
    Location(s) Lausanne, Lucerne, St.Gallen, Spiez (Berne), Rüschlikon (Zurich)
    Investment CHF 19’500

    Flexible
    Start

  • VR-Diplom-Programm 25.2

    Stattet Sie mit umfassendem Verständnis und praktischen Werkzeugen zur effektiven Ausübung eines Verwaltungsrats-Mandats aus.

    • 29.8.2025 - 19.12.2025open
    Dauer 6 Halbtage
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Zürich-Flughafen
    Investition CHF 7'750
  • VR-Zertifikats-Programm 25.2

    Befähigt Sie als Verwaltungsrätin und Verwaltungsrat einen effektiven Beitrag zur wirksamen Führung und Aufsicht von Unternehmen und Organisationen zu leisten.

    • 22.8.2025 - 27.6.2026open
    Dauer 16 Tage
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Ermatingen, Luzern, St.Gallen und Weggis
    Investition CHF 19’500
  • Board Diploma Program 25

    Equips you with a comprehensive understanding and practical tools to be an effective board leader.

    • 23.5.2025 - 25.5.2025open
    Duration 3 days
    Language English
    Location(s) Thun
    Investment CHF 7'750
  • Cooperative Governance 25

    Vermittelt fundierte Ansätze und Werkzeuge zur wirksamen Führung und Aufsicht von Genossenschaften.

    • 18.3.2025open
    Dauer 1 Tag
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Zürich-Flughafen
    Investition CHF 750
  • VR-Diplom-Programm 25.1

    Stattet Sie mit umfassendem Verständnis und praktischen Werkzeugen zur effektiven Ausübung eines Verwaltungsrats-Mandats aus.

    • 7.2.2025 - 4.7.2025open
    Dauer 6 Halbtage
    Sprache Deutsch
    Standort(e) Zürich-Flughafen
    Investition CHF 7'750
Meet Prof. Dr. Michael Hilb

Events

  • Swiss Board Circle 25

    Der Swiss Board Circle bietet die Gelegenheit, sich mit Kolleginnen und Kollegen auszutauschen und gleichzeitig neuste Trends der Governance zu diskutieren.

    10.1.2025, 10:00 - 17:00open

  • Swiss Board Officer Circle 25

    Diese Veranstaltung bietet Gelegenheit, einen Einblick in die neuesten Erkenntnisse aus Corporate-Secretary-Praxis und -Forschung zu erhalten.

    22.10.2025, 17:00 - 20:00open

  • Swiss Board Visit 25

    Der Swiss Board Visit ist die perfekte Plattform, um das eigene Netzwerk zu erweitern und mehr über eine interessante Region zu lernen.

    31.10.2025, 10:00 - 17:00open