10 Break-Out Sessions

  • Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

[timetable id="9" column_title="0" filter_visible="1" filter_multiple="1" event_box_time="0"]

Sign up for our Newsletter

Sign up for our Newsletter

Young Leaders on Board

WHY

Equipping Boards for the Future

“Younger people represent the future, they must have a seat at the table.”

SUNNIE J. GROENEVELD
Founder and Managing Partner Inspire 925,
Member of multiple boards, e.g. Sympany, Jung von Matt

Read Sunnie Groeneveld’s full perspective in “I by IMD”

“In challenging times, appointing supervisory board leaders from across the generations can lead to more creative problem solving.”

SIMONE MENNE
President of the American Chamber of Commerce Germany, Member of Multiple Boards, e.g. Deutsche Post AG, Johnson Controls International

Read Simone Menne’s full perspective in “I by IMD”

“I was looking to propose some younger talents for our Foundation Board renewal and found an outstanding candidate who expresses his opinions in a very thoughtful way, with the right combination of conviction and humility, which I believe is key to creating value as a Board member .”

LAURA VISCOVICH
Executive Director, Holcim Foundation

“Young leaders infuse boards with fresh, innovative ideas and heightened awareness of sustainability, serving as key drivers for progress and transformative growth.”

CARMEN SPRUS
EMEIA Sustainability Solution Lead, Ernst and Young

WHAT

About the Initiative

The shift towards a sustainable, regenerative and digital economy is fundamentally reshaping the future of business. In challenging and complex times, involving diverse perspectives in organisational decision-making is key to ensure sustainable success. On this journey, businesses are currently missing out on unique competencies and perspectives: those of the next generation.

To foster innovation, sustainability and long-term thinking in business, the St. Gallen Symposium and Zukunft-Fabrik.2050 have launched a joint impact project: Young Leaders on Board aims to equip forward-looking companies for the future, by bringing young, outstanding leaders on their board.

8.1 %

of new directors of SMI companies are under 50

59.6

is the average age of SMI non-executive board directors

50%

of new directors of SMI companies have no previous Board experience

Source: Swiss Spencer Stuart Board Index 2023

HOW

Our Offer and Approach

The Young Leaders on Board equips boards for the future. We work with interested companies to identify the competencies and skills which will add sustainable value to their strategic thinking and decision-making. In finding suitable candidates, we draw from a unique ecosystem of global talents, including the Leaders of Tomorrow and HSG Alumni. We connect companies and young leaders, and prepare and support both sides throughout and beyond the board placement process.

The project is carried forward by a dedicated team of professionals from the St. Gallen Symposium, working full-time to achieve more long-term thinking in business. Additionally, the project is supported by volunteers from the Zukunft-Fabrik2050. As experts in the field of board governance and sparring partners for the team, the project collaborates with Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates, a global board advisory firm.

Project Collaborators:
CASE STUDIES

Insights into Our Board Placements

Our Recent Board Placement for the Holcim Foundation

In 2023, the team was approached by Laura Viscovich, the Executive Director of the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction with the task to support the foundation’s board in its generational succession by identifying possible candidates within the Symposium’s global young leaders pool. About the Process In May 2023, after the Symposium, the team met with Laura Viscovich, the Executive Director of the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction. Laura provided the initial…

Continue reading

GET INVOLVED

Shape Your Future Board

We are actively looking for organisations wanting to navigate complexity, by involving diverse perspectives and bringing young, outstanding leaders on their boards. Reach out to us and we’ll schedule a call to learn more about your goals, as well as the skillsets and competencies which will add most value.

Media Contact – New Generational Contract