10 Break-Out Sessions
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Equipping Boards for the Future
Young Leaders on Board
Equipping Companies for the Future
To foster innovation, sustainability, and long-term thinking in business, the St. Gallen Symposium “Young Leaders on Board” initiative equips companies for the future by bringing the perspectives of young, outstanding leaders into their boards.
5%
of all S&P 500 directors are under 50
62
is the average age of supervisory board members in SMI companies
72%
of supervisory board members have no executive board experience
Sources: schillingreport 2026 (Guido Schilling); FIR Report 2026
Our Offer
The next generation offers vital perspectives that can be leveraged in multiple ways. To meet the diverse needs of companies, Young Leaders on Board offers four tailored approaches. We begin the process by jointly identifying blind spots in expertise and competencies. From there, we determine the best pathway to deliver maximum value to companies’ strategic thinking and decision-making. We then propose hand-picked candidates from our unique ecosystem of global talent, including the Leaders of Tomorrow and HSG Alumni. Finally, we actively prepare and support both companies and Young Leaders throughout the process and beyond, ensuring a sustainable, value-adding partnership.
Adding a Younger Board Member
Your company has an open board position or wants to add a board member? In collaboration with Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates and the Board Foundation, we identify and prepare a younger board member (between 35 and 45 years old) based on the criteria you are looking for.
Establishing a Thematic Advisory Board
You want an in-house consultancy that explains mega trends and recommends approaches on how to monetise them? In collaboration with Dr. Bjørn Johansson Associates and the Board Foundation, we identify your needs and create your youth, sustainability, or AI advisory board.
Matching Board Members with a Gen Z Mentor
You are looking for a more innovative and dynamic format? The Reverse Mentoring Programme, co-developed with ZEAM, flips conventional mentoring. Over the course of twelve months, board members step into the mentee role and are paired with a carefully selected Gen Z Young Talent for a structured, eye-level exchange on transformative trends.
Board Briefings and Workshops
You require specific foresight to remain ahead of the curve? The NextGen Board Briefings give you a concentrated ‘future injection’ through concise, tailored briefings paired with innovative mini-workshops. A small group of our Young Talent will help you grasp, anticipate and monetise trends, highlighting blind spots and minimising risks.
Project Collaborators:
CASE STUDIES
Insights into Our Projects
Adding a Younger Board Member
We have supported the Holcim Foundation in identifying a younger board member with expertise in sustainable architecture.
“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
Establishing a Thematic Advisory Board
We have supported ten23 health in establishing a cross-generational advisory board that focuses on patients, people, and planet.
“Adding diverse perspectives into organisational strategy is key to ensuring long-term and sustainable success and innovation. With the recent establishment of our Advisory Board, we can benefit from the insights and long-term thinking of young leaders.”
Prof. Dr. Hanns-Christian Mahler, CEO, ten23 health
Matching Board Members with a Gen Z Mentor
We have matched board member Anita Hauser with Gen Z mentor Natalie Kerres to exchange perspectives on transformative trends.
“We have insightful, trust-based conversations. I’m gaining new impulses, learning a great deal from Natalie’s perspective, and am impressed by the depth of her expertise. I am positively surprised by the programme.”
Anita Hauser, Deputy Chairwoman Bucher Industries, Board Member Roche Group and AMAG Group, about her mentee Natalie Kerres, Founder of Scaled
GET INVOLVED
Shape Your Future Board
We are partnering with forward-looking organisations ready to navigate today’s complexity by integrating next-generation perspectives into their leadership. Reach out to us and we will schedule an introductory call to learn more about your goals. Together, we will map out the most appropriate approach and define the specific expertise, skillsets, and pathways that will add the most sustainable value to your organisation.