Programs

International Board Certificate Program

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

    Lecturer

    Prof. Dr. Jean Philippe Bonardi

    Lecturer

  • Déborah Carlson-Burkart

    Lecturer

    Déborah Carlson-Burkart

    Lecturer

  • Isabelle Chappuis

    Lecturer

    Isabelle Chappuis

    Lecturer

  • Prof. Dr. Martin Hilb

    Lecturer

    Prof. Dr. Martin Hilb

    Lecturer

  • Prof. Dr. Michael Hilb

    Program Leader

    Prof. Dr. Michael Hilb

    Program Leader

  • Felix Horber

    Dr. Felix Horber

    Module Leader

    Dr. Felix Horber

    Module Leader

  • Prof. Dr. Harry Korine

    Lecturer

    Prof. Dr. Harry Korine

    Lecturer

  • Dr. Mark Macus

    Module Leader

    Dr. Mark Macus

    Module Leader

  • Dr. Jérôme Monnier

    Program Leader

    Dr. Jérôme Monnier

    Program Leader

  • Prof. Dr. Roland Müller

    Module Leader

    Prof. Dr. Roland Müller

    Module Leader

  • Prof. Dr. Guido Palazzo

    Lecturer

    Prof. Dr. Guido Palazzo

    Lecturer

  • Prof. Dr. Kuno Schedler

    Module Leader

    Prof. Dr. Kuno Schedler

    Module Leader

  • Prof. Marianne Schmid Mast

    Lecturer

    Prof. Marianne Schmid Mast

    Lecturer

  • Dr. Nina Spielmann

    Lecturer

    Dr. Nina Spielmann

    Lecturer

  • Prof. Dr. Rudolf Grünig

    Professor

  • Markus Herrrmann

    Co-Founder and Managing Director

  • Dr. Hans-Jochen Jaeger

    Tax Expert

  • Dr. Bijan Khezri

    CEO

  • Prof. Dr. Oliver Verscheure

    Executive Director

Locations

  • Waldhotel Arosa

    Arosa, Switzerland

  • Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne

    Lausanne, Switzerland

  • Hotel Lilienberg Ermatingen

    Ermatingen, Switzerland

  • Deltapark Gwatt bei Thun

    Gwatt, Switzerland

  • WBZ Universität St.Gallen

    St.Gallen, Switzerland

  • Campus Hotel Hertenstein

    Weggis, Switzerland

Module Dates

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
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Empowering Board Leaders

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Develop

Equip yourself with the skills needed to become an even more effective board chair, member, or secretary. Benefit from a broad range of education programs and a knowledge base that combines best board practices with educational excellence.

Connect

Nurture your network and share ideas with other board leaders facing the same opportunities and challenges. Develop your board portfolio by identifying, assessing, and pursuing opportunities for open board positions.

Inspire

Gain insights into the latest regulatory developments and academic research in corporate governance. Stay ahead of the curve by learning about upcoming trends and developments so you can truly add value to your boards.