About Programme
What is the role and responsibility of a board? How can governance make or break an organization? How can good governance contribute to society?
Effective governance is a key driver of growth and, increasingly, a distinctive competitive advantage for any organization. IMD’s Mastering Board Governance program will give you a deep understanding of the principles and practices of good governance, and the roles and responsibilities of a board.
Developed and led by the IMD Global Board Center , this program is grounded in the latest insights and best practices, empowering you to lead the future of governance with confidence and foresight. You will learn from examples of governance successes and failures in various industries and locations, and apply these learnings to your own context.
Every week, you will connect with a group of your online classmates for an immersive board simulation. You will all have the chance to take on the key roles of Chair,Vice-Chair, and Company Secretary as you tackle specific tasks. Experienced board coaches give you feedback on the content and dynamics of your corporate governance work, and a jury of leading board members assesses your group’s final ‘investor pitch’.
The program will build your understanding of effective business decision-making and group dynamics and enable you to make meaningful contributions to a board.
This program can be taken as a standalone experience, or as a step toward the IMD Board Readiness Diploma – your pathway to becoming a confident, future-ready board member. It also makes you eligible to apply for accreditation under the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) Director Accreditation Programme , further strengthening your board credentials. For more details on eligibility, the application process, and benefits, visit our FAQ page .
Grasp how governance drives performanceGain a solid understanding of how governance drives organizational performance.
Know who does whatExpand your knowledge of the role and responsibilities of a board and all other governance participants and stakeholders.
Master board effectivenessKnow how to identify and assess the four underlying pillars of board effectiveness, using a concrete framework.
Manage risksLearn how to proactively identify governance risks and mitigate them effectively.
Delve deeper into board workExplore core areas of board work such as strategy, risks, stakeholders, M&A, succession, ESG, and stewardship.
Alumni Benefits
Successful completion of this program takes you one step closer to joining IMD’s powerful alumni network.
130k+ alumniNetworking
250+ events per yearCommunities
50+ clubs worldwideResources
Programme Benefits
Designed for impact and delivered for you, IMD’s online programs help you achieve your aspirations wherever you are in your career or the world. Here’s what makes the IMD online program experience exceptional.
Access to thought leadershipTap into the expertise of IMD’s faculty – globally recognized experts in their fields – wherever you are.
Personalized coachingBenefit from one-on-one support from an experienced executive coach who helps you apply new insights to your own context.
Global peer interactionCollaborate with participants from around the world through group and pair work that challenges your thinking and broadens your perspective.
Flexible formatEngage in a structured yet flexible learning experience that enables you to progress at your own pace and complete weekly assignments around your busy schedule.
Applied learning for real impactApply what you learn right away through practical assignments designed to make a direct impact on your work.
Testimonials
"Mastering Board Governance was an ideal starting point for my journey into the fascinating world of boards. The careful, broad overview of the essentials of best-in-class governance, complemented by compelling board simulation exercises designed to consolidate learning, provided me with an excellent introduction to the duties, challenges, and opportunities of boards."
Kathryn Hess Bellwald
Professor of mathematics and life sciences, EPFL, Member of the Academic Board of the Swiss National Science Foundation, Switzerland
"The sessions were incredibly insightful and provided a deep understanding of the principles and best practices for playing an effective board membership. I especially valued the program’s practical, interactive approach and the coach’s feedback. The diverse participant network enriched the experience, allowing me to learn from other professionals."
Sara Gay
Senior Advisor – People and Organization Strategy, EDI Eccellenze d’Impresa, Italy
"This program is an absolute must, not only for current and aspiring board members, but also for executive board members and senior management as it gives many insights into their collaboration with the board. It was a very exciting journey, with challenging and interesting teamwork with other participants."
Ekaterina Emelianova
CFO, Sberbank, Switzerland
"Mastering Board Governance is a fantastic collaborative experience that I recommend to all professionals interested in governance best practices, whether they are new to the subject or looking for continuous improvement. The program helped to improve my skills and was a source of inspiration."
Konstantin Yershov
Early Stage investor and board member, Switzerland
"This is an amazingly efficient course for improving your board’s effectiveness and anticipating risks. I enhanced my understanding of group dynamics, my ability to identify when and why a board underperforms and overall increased my added value as a board member for technological startups."
Anne-Laure Jehl
Investment Manager, IFP New Energy Group, France
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Speak with an Advisor
- Pedagogy (case method, experiential learning, coaching, simulations)
- Target Audience
- Programme Objective
- Faculty Information
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Prashansa Uttam
Programme Advisor
IMD Business School
Executive Education Office
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