48 additional board appointments for IDN members

25 March 2022

Members Board & Corporate Governance Positions Announcement 1 September 2021 to 31 January 2022

INSEAD International Directors Network, IDNis proudly sharing the recent appointments of board and corporate governance positions of our members, truly recognizing our members and the strength of our IDN network.

IDN members has been appointed to 48 new board positions in 19 countries, summing up to 545 position announcements since 2017.

As a member of IDN, the network of INSEAD International Board Directors, with full membership open to all INSEAD Alumni with appropriate directorship experience and which is automatic for Certified Directors (IDP-C) from INSEAD’s International Directors Programme (IDP), you can be truly proud of your network!

You find the IDN members with new board positions below, and why don’t you help share our network’s achievement via Linkedin, to help position also yourself and your membership of a vibrant network via this LinkedIn post.

And take the time to connect with your fellow IDN members at LinkedIn and expand your board contacts, by clicking their names below and connect with them!

IDN works closely with INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, which undertakes cutting-edge research and teaching tailored to the needs of boards and international directors. It fosters a global dialogue on the challenges of corporate governance and leadership in an international context.

INSEAD Directors’ Network – Members New Board & Corporate Governance Positions

IDN members – Certified IDP-C Board Directors

Carlos Alonso-Marum https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-alonso-marum/ December 2021 – Chairman of the Board at Cardioline S.p.A. (PE-backed, HQ Italy)

Carin Beumerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carin-beumer-40840328/ December 2021 – Non-Executive Board Director ACSSA & Aiglon College Association (Private, HQ Switzerland)

Deborah Carlson-Burkarthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/d%C3%A9borah-carlson-burkart/ November 2021 – Board and ACC member at RUAG International Holding SA, (Government owned, HQ in Switzerland),  October 2021 – National Office Board member,  Right to Play Foundation (Non-for-profit, HQ Canada)

Katia Ciesielskahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/katiaciesielska/December 2021 – Non-Executive Director at Main Source S.A. (Sorgente Group, Private, HQ Luxembourg)

Elisabetta Cugnascahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabetta-cugnasca-1162a94/ September 2021 – Independent board member at Zurich Bank Italy (Private, HQ Italy)

Gerry Fitzpatrick  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhersmp/ July 2021 – Chairman at Virtu ITG Europe Limited (a subsidiary of Virtu Financial) (Private, HQ Ireland) and September 2021 – Non-executive Director at University College Dublin (UCD) Foundation (Private, HQ Ireland)

Ioannis Georgoulashttps://www.linkedin.com/in/john-georgoulas/ January 2022 – Non-executive Director at Swissquote (Private, HQ Switzerland)

Fennemiek Gommerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/fennemiekgommer/ September 2021 – Chairman at Walraven (Family-owned, HQ The Netherlands)

Michael Hilbhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhilb/ January 2022 – Chairman at International Board Foundation (Private, HQ Switzerland)

Sirin Konthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sirinkont/ – July 2021 – Chairman of the Executive Board at American International School Vienna (Not-for-profit, HQ Austria)

Max Kraynov –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxkraynov/ October 2021 – Chairman at Aviasales (Private, HQ Russia)

Saskia Kunsthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/saskia-kunst-25b90531/ January 2022- Non-Executive Director and Member of the Board at Jee Subsea Engineering & Training Ltd. (Private, HQ United Kingdom)

Emmy Labovitchhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/emmy-labovitch-finance-ned/ December 2021 – Independent NED and Chair of Risk and Investment Committee at Foresters Life (Private, HQ Canada)

Rob Lelieveldhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/roblelieveld/ September 2021 – Non Executive Director at NN Group NV (Listed, HQ The Netherlands)

Richard Leperehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-l-8453617/ January 2022 –  Independent Non-executive Director at Clearstream Fund Centre AG, Zurich Switzerland, Deutsche Boerse Group(Private, Switzerland), and December 2021 – Partner at EGP-European Governance Partners, Munsbach Luxembourg (Not for Profit, HQ Luxembourg)

Karen Loonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/karenloon/ November 2021, Member of the Governing Council and Audit Committee Chair at Singapore Institute of Directors (NGO, HQ Singapore)

Magdalena Maneahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/magda-manea-b5ba93/ July 2020 – Chair at Seedblink Investors (Private, HQ Romania), October 2021 – Trustee at Romanian American Foundation (Not-for-profit, HQ US)

Marina Niforoshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-niforos/ January 2022 – Member of Advisory Board at Urban Impact Ventures (Private, HQ The Netherlands)

Ludo Oomshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ludoooms/ – January 2022 -Non-Executive Board Director at Maatwerkbedrijf BWB (Private, HQ Belgium)

Helen Pitcher OBEhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/helenpitcher/ – Chairman at Public Chairs Forum (Government, HQ United Kingdom)

Monica Porfilio https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-porfilio-82925358/ January 2022 – Non-Executive Board Director at Gestielle Investment SICAV (Private, HQ Luxembourg)

Enrica Rimoldi https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrica-rimoldi-99b27929/ January 2022 – Supervisory Board and Audit Committee member at UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, AS (Regulated, Private, HQ Czech Republic)

Annemieke J.M. Roobeek https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemiekeroobeek/ November 2021, Non-Executive Board Director at Floating Duck B.V. (Private, HQ The Netherlands)

Andy Schwarzenbachhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/schwarzenbach/ September 2021 – Board Member at Flexoffice (Schweiz) AG (Private, HQ Switzerland)

James Sibleyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/james-sibley-31b943/ October 2021 – Non Executive Board Director at United Eastern Medical Services (Private, HQ United Arab Emirates)

Oern Stugehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/oern-stuge-5bb93413/ December 2021 -Chairman at TegoSens, (Private, HQ USA)

Jeremy Tanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytanqw/ September 2021 – Chairman of the Non-Executive Director (NED) Network in Singapore for Winmark Global (Private, HQ Singapore)

Doris Tomanekhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-tomanek-68422b13/ November 2021- Member of the Supervisory Board at Schoellerbank AG (Private, HQ Austria)

Axel Tombereauhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/axeltombereau/ October 2021- Non-executive director of Aleda (Private, HQ France)

Helen Wisemanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/helenwiseman/ September 2021 – Non -executive Director at SFI Investment Trust (owns Soho Flordis International global healthcare business.  December 2021 – Non-executive Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at Delica Therapeutics Limited (Private, HQ Australia)

Konstantinos Yazitzoglouhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/konstantinos-yazitzoglou/ September 2021 – Non-executive Director at Faliro House SA (Private, HQ Greece)

Anna Zanardi Capponhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/annazanardicappon/ – September 2021 – Non-executive Director and Chair of Remuneration Committee at Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. – (Listed, HQ Italy)

IDN Members – Board Directors

Stephane Bellanger https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanebellanger/ September 2021 – Board member at PMEX (Private, HQ France)

Antonio G. Dottorehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniodottore/ January 2022 – Non-Executive Chair of the  Academic Board at Australian Institute of Applied Blockchain, (Private, HQ Australia) and December 2021 – Member and Secretary of  Committee of Italians Abroad (Com.It.Es.) (Government, HQ Australia)

Wu Ganghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wu-gang-48b03634/  October 2021-  Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit and Risk Committee and Management Engagement Committee at Tritax Big Box REIT Plc ( Private, HQ United Kingdom)

Elissa Greyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elissagrey/  January 2022 – Non Executive Director at Reed Smith LLP (Private, HQ USA)

David Kalife – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkalife/ January 2022 Non Executive Board Director at RPRE (Right People Right Energy) ( Private, HQ Singapore)

Jean Marc Lechenehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-marc-lechene-343a302a/ December 2021 – Non Executive Director at Lamprell plc (Listed, HQ United Kingdom)

Enoch Lihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nochnoch/ December 2021 – Board Director at United for Global Mental Health (Charity/NGO, HQ United Kingdom)

Thomas Masonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaswmmason/ February 2021 – Non-Executive Director at Farm Engineering Services a Phatisa Fund II Portfolio Company (Private, HQ Mauritius)

Olivier Noelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-noel-3273636/ September 2021 – Non Executive Director and member of Audit, Risk and Strategy Committees at Activa Finance (Private, HQ Mauritius)

Daniel Wrighthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-wright-24574195/  – January 2022 – Non-executive Chairman at UInsure Limited (Private, HQ United Kingdom).

 

Previous announcements and more information

Previous board position announcements by shared by IDN;

October 2021 July 2021 April 2021 December 2020  September 2020 March 2020 October 2019 July 2019  February 2019  November 2018 July 2018 April 2018  January 2018   October 2017

For organisations interested in partnering with IDN, please contact IDN President, Helen Pitcher OBE, at [email protected]

On Behalf of the INSEAD International Directors’ Network Board

Get to know Tony Whiteman, IDN Board Member

Tony Whiteman IDP-C who joined the IDN Board in late 2021, will be supporting our IDN members. Get to know him!

After growing up and being educated in New Zealand, I was given a one-way ticket to the UK to see the world. It was a fun journey experiencing London life, working in an advertising business and the obligatory ‘live/work’ in a pub. Sport has always been a big part of my life and it was rugby which took me to Luxembourg in 1993. I became an FX Dealer and met my wife during enjoyable years in Luxembourg. In 1997 we moved to London where I transitioned into the project management, consultancy field in the City operating independently. After completing an MBA, I embarked on a couple of roles in Interim Management for a corporate services provider and a community website for Physiotherapists. On the private investment side, I developed a small residential property portfolio and helped develop a wholesale insurance broker.

By 2004 our family had doubled (Oscar & Chloe), and we decided to relocate back to Luxembourg to enjoy the more sedate family life. After three years as Business Development Director for the corporate services provider in Luxembourg I was approached to act as an Independent Director for a number of Blackstone investment vehicles. The relationship with Blackstone has continued and I am currently involved with the Private Equity, Private Debt and
Alternative Asset Management areas as an  Independent Director. Over the years I have been engaged as an Independent Director to provide governance for a number of international investment, corporate and family office groups (including Deutsche Bank, Whirlpool, Abbot, SurveyMonkey). In 2014 I completed the INSEAD International Directors Program and became an IDP-C.

I have continued to invest in private residential assets, engaged in personal private equity investment and providing seed capital for a small number of Luxembourg based startups.

The family has grown with Sophie & Hannah joining us. While the rugby stopped in 2009, I managed to continue competitive cricket representing and captaining Luxembourg till 2021. Golf is now the challenge, its way more difficult than I thought it would be so will keep me focused for many years
to come.

While a capitalist society is based on the financially fueled demand/supply functions there is still a real need for community volunteers. I have been involved with both the cricket club and federation committees, assisted the rugby club and have recently helped create the Australia, New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Luxembourg (ANZCCL). Also started mentoring potential Independent Directors via
the Luxembourg Institute of Directors.

With the family growing up and reducing the day-to-day need for Mum & Dad to be involved I was happy to consider being a candidate for the IDN Board. I look forward to learning the operations of the IDN Board and supporting the association in developing good governance around the globe via the INSEAD Directors Network.

INSEAD IDN Q3 2021 Board Position Announcements

51 board appointments for INSEAD Directors Network members

25 October 2021

Members Board & Corporate Governance Positions Announcement – June to August 2021 (Q3)

INSEAD’s International Directors Network, IDN is proudly sharing the recent appointments for the quarter ended 31 August 2021 of board and corporate governance positions of our members, truly recognising our members and the strength of our IDN network.

IDN members have been appointed to 51 new board positions in 22 countries, summing up to 497 position announcements since 2017.

Warmest congratulations to Lale Saral Develioglu and Doris Albisser for receiving this year’s INSEAD IDN Outstanding Mandate Awards!  Lale received the For-Profit outstanding mandate for her appointment to the board of Anadolu Efes in December, 2020.  Doris received the Non-Profit outstanding mandate for her appointment as a member of the International Senate of SOS Children’s Villages in June 2020.

Who will be on the list for next year??  Please keep us appraised of your board appointments for our quarterly announcements to be in the running!  And also to share the successes of our IDN network.

As a member of IDN, the network of INSEAD international board directors, full membership is open to all INSEAD Alumni with appropriate directorship experience and is automatic for Certified Directors (IDP-C) from INSEAD’s International Directors Program (IDP)), you can be truly proud of your network!

You will find the IDN members with new board positions below.  Why don’t you help share our network’s achievements via Linkedin, as well as also position yourself and your membership of a vibrant network via this Linkedin post.

And take the time to connect with your fellow IDN members at LinkedIn and expand your board contacts by clicking their names below and connecting with them!

To date, IDP has been completed by 1,556 IDP and IDPB participants, with 1,221 certified IDP-C/ IDBP-C directors, and our International Board Network IDN of INSEAD Alumni of over 1,500 members.

IDN works closely with INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, which undertakes cutting-edge research and teaching tailored to the needs of boards and international directors.  The Centre fosters a global dialogue on the challenges of corporate governance and leadership in an international context.

INSEAD Directors’ Network – Members New Board & Corporate Governance Positions

IDN members – Certified IDP-C Board Directors

Celine Abecassis-Moedas – May 2021 – Non-executive Director at Lectra (HQ France, Listed) and July 2021 – Non-executive Director at Greenvolt (Listed, HQ Portugal)
Noelle Ahlberg Kleiterp – June 2021- Board Member and Chair of Remuneration and Ethics Committees at Healthnet TPO (NGO, HQ The Netherlands)
Livia Aliberti Amidani – May 2021 – Non-executive Director at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (Private, HQ Italy) and Non-executive Director at Messaggerie Italiane (Private, HQ Italy)
Manuel Baldauff – June 2021 – Non-executive Director at Banque Raiffeisen (Private, HQ Luxembourg)
Trent Bartlett –  July 2021 – Chairman at Rocky Bay (Not for Profit, HQ Australia)
William Blomme – August 2021 – Non-executive board member at Welvaartfonds (Private, HQ Belgium) and July 2021 – Board member at Cornelis-Adriaenssens (Private, HQ Belgium)
Roberta Casali – July 2021 – Non Executive Director, Chair of Remuneration Committee, Member of Related-parties Committee at MOBY SpA (Private, HQ Italy)
Katia Ciesielska – August 2021– Independent Director  at Société d’Investissement Hôteliers Français SA (Private, HQ France) and Independent Director at Société de Management et Financement Hôtelier Français SAS (Private, HQ France)
Timothy Cosulich – July 2021 – Chairman at YPO Singapore (NGO, HQ Singapore)
Marie-Pierre Dhers – July 2021- Non-Executive Board Director at TwingTec AG (private, HQ Zurich, Switzerland)
Diego Diaz – June 2021 – President of the Supervisory Board, at Institut de Formation Ferroviaire (IFF), (Private, HQ Rabat, Morocco) and board member at SIANA (High speed train maintenance) (Private, HQ Tangiers Morocco)
Giulia Fitzpatrick – July 2021- Board Chair of Quintet Private Bank (Private, HQ Switzerland) AG
Ioannis Georgoulas – July 2021 – Non-executive Director at TFI Markets Ltd (Private, HQ Cyprus) and Chairman at ACEMPI (Association of Cyprus Electronic Money & Payments Institutions) (NGO, HQ Cyprus)
Jean-Marie Greindl – August 2021 – Non-executive Director at Opaline SA (Private, HQ Switzerland)
Fernand Grulms – April 2021 – Independent Director at Mizuho Trust and Banking (Private, HQ Luxembourg) S.A.
Jean-Christophe Kugler – October 2020 – Advisory Board Member at Ascendance Flight Technologies (Private, HQ Toulouse, France)
Colin Low – July 2021 – Independent Non- Executive Director & Chairman Remuneration Committee, Jason Marine Electronics Group (Listed, HQ Singapore)
Ana Maria Mihaescu – August 2021 – Non-executive Director at NEPI Rockcastle Plc (Listed, HQ Isle of Man)
Viviane Monges – July 2021 – Chair of the Supervisory Board of EUROAPI (Private, HQ Paris France)
Yves Poullet – June 2021 –  Independent Non-Executive Director at Helora Hospitals Network (Private, HQ Belgium)
Hagen Graf v. Schweinitz – July 2021 – Member of the Board of Directors at the Armenian Institute of Directors (NGO, HQ Armenia)
Thomas Seale – July 2021 – Chairman at Oddo-BHF Belgique (Private, Belgium) and Member of Board at Lumyna Marshall Wace SICAV (Private, Luxembourg)

IDN Members – Board Directors

Richard Alabaster – August 2021 – Non-Executive Board Director at eQuip-T, Inc. (Private, HQ USA)
Andrey Bogdanov – August 2021 – Co-chair at World Economic Forum New Champions South Africa Chapter Board (HQ South Africa)
Ian Brown –  June 2021 – Independent Non-executive Director at Biolidics Limited (Listed, Singapore)
Cedric Brusselmans – July 2021 – Non-Executive Director at Natagora (HQ Belgium)
Pavel Erochkine – July 2021 – Board Member and Chair for Strategic Alliances at Entrepreneurs Organisation, Portugal Chapter (Private, HQ Portugal) and Vice-Chairman at St. Julian’s School Parents’ Association (Private, HQ Portugal)
Raphael Felenbok – August 2021 – Board member at Space4Good B.V. (Private, HQ The Netherlands)
Carlos Fonseca – June 2020 – Lasell University Board of Directors member and Board of Trustees 2021 (Private, HQ USA)
Marta Gomez-Llorente – June 2021 – Board Director, Strategic Advisory Board Private at MYCP (Martin del Yerro Cirujanos Plásticos), (Private, HQ Spain)
Rob Goudswaard – August 2021 – Chair, Advisory Board at  Revolut Payments Australia (Private, HQ Australia)
Nils Granath – June 2021 – Board Director at Sulzer & Schmid Laboratories AG (Private, HQ Switzerland) and Board Director at Perspective Robotics (“Fotokite”) AG (Private,  HQ Switzerland)
Lisa Marie Kar Yee Djeng –  July 2021- Council Member at HKSAR Government Lord Wilson United World Colleges Scholarship Fund Council (Government, HQ Hong Kong), August 2020 – Appeal Board Member of the Appeal Board of Hong Kong Travel Industry Council – (NGO, Hong Kong)
Maria Charash Koundina – June-2021, Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit Committee at Arrow Exploration (Listed, HQ Canada)
Martin McCourt – July 2021 – Board member and member of the Compensation Committee  at ComAp a.s (Private, HQ Prague, Czech Republic) and Chairman of the Compensation Committee at IDnow gmbH (Private, HQ Germany)
Valentin Mihov – June 2021 – Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Bulgarian Development Bank (Private, HQ Bulgaria)
Lucien Ong – June 2021 – President of INSEAD NAA Philippines (Private, HQ Philippines)
Carsten Pingel – June 2021 – Board member at Certainly (Private, HQ Denmark)
Tamara Singh – July 2021 – Board member and Treasurer at People Centered Internet (Charity, HQ USA)
Drew Watson – April 2021 – Board member at Holt-Smithson Foundation (HQ USA)

Previous announcements and more information

Previous board position announcements by shared by IDN;
July 2021 April 2021 December 2020 September 2020 March 2020 October 2019 July 2019  February 2019  November 2018 July 2018 April 2018 January 2018  October 2017

For organisations interested in partnering with IDN, please contact IDN President, Helen Pitcher OBE, at [email protected]

On Behalf of the INSEAD International Directors’ Network Board,


Helen Wiseman, 
IDP-C, IDN & NAA Australia Board Member,
NED at multiple companies
www.linkedin.com/in/helenwiseman
[email protected]

For more information about:

How to become a partner of IDN, contact our President, Helen Pitcher here
INSEAD Directors’ Network, click here.
INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre here.

Follow INSEAD IDN on social media;
INSEAD IDN on LinkedIn
INSEAD IDN on Twitter

How can IDN’s mentoring programme help your board career

How can IDN’s INsights 2021 Director Mentoring Programme support your director journey?

By Karen Loon IDP-C, IDN Board Member

Starting out on a board career is not easy, even for the most seasoned C-suite executives.  In fact, many people would argue that being a board director is not an extension of your career, but an entirely new one!

To support our INSEAD Directors’ Network (“IDN”) members, our INsights Director Mentoring Programme (‘the “Programme”) which is now in its third year supports IDN members to achieve their specific goals.

This unique programme encompasses one-on-one mentoring by an experienced mentor, peer learning with fellow mentees, as well as optional single mentoring sessions on a specific topic.

We recently asked Helen Wiseman, IDN Board Member, professional mentor and an experienced board director who facilitates the programme to share more.

Can you share a bit about the Programme?

The INsights Director Mentoring Programme is a structured six-month programme offered by IDN that is aimed at members of the IDN who are early in their board careers and who are seeking support from a highly experienced mentor based on a specific set of goals. These goals will be related to their current board roles and/or may be designed to further develop their board career.

Whilst in an ideal world, mentors and mentees come from the same geography, our mentors and mentees “meet” at a distance in keeping with INSEAD’s global positioning. What is key that the mentee can access mentoring support that will help them achieve their goals for the Programme.

The Programme structure is designed to ensure that mentees get the maximum out of the Programme and are not left to “drift”. The Programme is also in line with best practice mentoring programmes, whilst being delivered remotely.

Our mentors, who are experienced board directors volunteer their time and expertise in a way that maximises the value of their contribution and respects their time.  They have the opportunity to expand their networks and get exposure to a potential talent pool.

The role of the Programme Facilitator is to ensure that the programme is on-track through a series of monthly facilitated group sessions (“INsights Peer Mentee Calls”).

What is the time commitment of the Programme?

The INsights 2021 Mentoring Programme will be offered online.  It comprises:

  • Mentee and mentor applications and onboarding
  • Six monthly INsights Peer Mentee Calls (via Zoom)
  • Programme exit – Personal Development Programme, Survey/Feedback/testimonials
  • Programme follow-up, gather 2021 mentee/mentor referrals – “Pay it forward.”

A unique feature of the Programme is that mentees are part of a cohort of peer mentees who go through the programme together and share their insights and learnings with each other on monthly (facilitated) basis.  Subject to preserving confidentiality of mentees and mentors, the mentees get the benefit of a much wider set of insights compared with one-on-one mentoring.

What are some of the benefits to mentees?

Our mentees from the 2020 Programme have shared that they have benefited immensely from the programme in a broad range of areas including:

  • Opportunity to network with similar minded professionals, enhance personal brand and director style
  • Gaining fresh perspective, new ideas and different ways of thinking
  • Providing feedback on practical challenges in the area of board dynamics
  • Knowledge sharing

One of our mentees has shared that “Normally it takes years to come up the NED learning curve…and a few mistakes along the way. My mentor saved me a year or two easily”.

“Board roles can be lonely: you can’t always turn to the other board members to discuss your ambitions, hopes, challenges and doubts. Who provides you with the necessary diversity in perspective? This IDN programme answers that question, with a mentor, and with a community of peers from all over the world” IDN 2020 INsights Director Mentoring Programme mentee

Can you share a bit more about the profile of the mentors?  Why should I volunteer as a mentor for the Programme?

We draw upon our pool of highly experienced IDN members to be mentors.  Some of them are willing to be a one-on-one mentor for the programme duration and some are happy to be called upon for single-session mentoring based on their specific expertise or experiences. This ensures that there is a wide pool of mentors and who are able to share a broad range of experiences with mentees.

In addition to broadening their networks, many of our mentors have shared that they have learnt a lot as mentors, and that they have found the experience of supporting the lifelong learning enjoyable.

“I always find the mentoring process incredibly rewarding and enlightening. It’s wonderful to feel that I am contributing to someone’s development and there are myriad opportunities to see my own development needs mirrored in the conversations that we have” – IDN 2020 INsights Director Mentoring Programme mentor

I am interested in the joining Programme as a mentor or mentee.  What are the next steps?

Our application process for the IDN INsights 2021 Director Mentoring Programme will open shortly.  Potential mentees should note that selection is based, inter alia, on clarity of their goals and commitment to completing the programme – including joining monthly Peer Mentee calls.

INSEAD Directors Network, IDN – An INSEAD Global Club of International Board Directors.
Our Mission is to foster excellent Corporate Governance through networking, communication and self-improvement. IDN has 1500 members from 80 countries, all Alumni from different INSEAD graduations as MBA, EMBA, GEMBA, and IDP-C. We meet in live IDN webinars and meet-ups arranged by our IDN Ambassadors based in 25 countries. Our IDN website holds valuable corporate governance knowledge in our IDN blog, and we share insights also to our LinkedIn and Twitter  followers. We highlight our member through quarterly sharing of their new board appointments and once a year we give out IDN Awards to prominent board accomplishments. We provide a peer-to-per mentoring and board vacancy service and we come together two times per year at the INSEAD Directors Forum arranged by ICGC. We also engage with ICGC on joint research.

2021 New Year Member Update

by Helen Pitcher OBE, President INSEAD Directors Network

Dear members – I trust that you are all well and are remaining safe in these interesting times.

2020 – A Year in Review

2020 was an extremely challenging, but interesting year for all of us as INSEAD Directors Network (“IDN”).  Our IDN board members have all continued to work hard to support our 1,500 members over the course of the year.  And like all of you, as board directors, IDN have moved our initiatives online and have been working in a more virtual basis.  Nevertheless, we believe that we provided significant value by supporting the lifetime learning of our members through our various initiatives which have run this year.  In addition to supporting initiatives of INSEAD, the INSEAD Alumni Association and the INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre (“ICGC”), our initiatives have included:

  • WebinarsUnder the guidance of Liselotte Engstam, IDN ran 15 webinars for members this year, which covered a wide number of topics, from managing during COVID, cyber, digital and sustainability, as well as how to get your first board mandate, which are all very topical interest areas of members.

  • Mentoring programme – We also revamped our mentoring program for new board directors and ran a successful program for 26 pairs of mentors and mentees on a fully virtual basis. Our mentors were experienced directors, many of whom were qualified IDP-Cs. This program was viewed by both mentors and mentees as a success. We will be running this program again in 2021, under the guidance of Helen Wiseman.  We will be seeking mentors and mentees for the programme so please do support this initiative.
  • Ambassadors Our network of 18 ambassadors under the guidance of Jeff Scott ran several in country initiatives to support our members over the year, many of which were on a virtual basis to allow our members to remain engaged with IDN, and to support their continuing education on a virtual basis. Events were held in geographies including Belgium, Singapore, France, the Americas, and Africa to share knowledge.  Please do connect with your local ambassador to find out more about initiatives in your geography.
  • IDN Inaugural 2020 Awards – Another new initiative we held in 2020, under the guidance of Thomas Seale was to recognise some of the most prestigious mandates which were awarded to IDN members. We awarded four of our IDN members with the Inaugural IDN awards for prestigious board positions. These were people who had been awarded what we have regarded as the most prestigious board positions, which were announced in our quarterly announcements, categorized into profit and not-for-profit categories. This included three female directors.

  • Advertising of board mandates – Under the guidance of Helen Wiseman, we advertised and placed a number of IDN members into international director positions.
  • Blog postsIn 2020, we also enhanced our blog posts where we have been sharing member viewpoints on topics of corporate governance, and providing our members who can’t attend our events, short summaries of discussions at our events. These details are shared via our social media on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Finally, to support our future growth, we have now established a legal entity in Singapore, INSEAD Directors Club Ltd. and have set up banking arrangements under the guidance of our Treasurer, Karen Loon.  This will support our further growth plans in 2021 and beyond.

What can IDN members look out for in 2021?

We expect to further refine and enhance many of the initiatives which we ran for members in 2020.  These include our webinars and our mentoring program, and continuing to support INSEAD and ICGC in Singapore and Fontainebleau, and collaborating more closely with the INSEAD Alumni Association and the National Alumni Associations around the world to support the lifetime learning of all INSEAD alumni.

Areas that we are working on in 2021 include:

  • Partnerships – We are on the lookout to partner with like-minded organizations who are interested in working with us to support our initiatives in corporate governance. If you do know of organisations who may wish to work with us on a global or local basis, please ask them to reach out to Dominic Nixon or Pamela Ravasio.
  • Ambassadors – We are looking to expand the geographical reach of our ambassador network in 2021. Watch out for further details.
  • Thought leadership – Representatives of our board have been working together with INSEAD faculty on various thought leadership articles on board dynamics and trends. Do sign up for our upcoming webinar on 8 February 2021 which will feature Stanislav Shekshnia, INSEAD Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Business and Director of INSEAD Chair Program, and myself, Helen Pitcher OBE, moderated by Liselotte Engstam where we will discuss Modern Chair Practices.

We look forward to supporting our members on their corporate governance journeys. Please also do share with me or any of our board members feedback on how we can continue to support you as our members in your membership in your governance journey.

 

 

 

 

Helen Pitcher OBE, IDN President

Email – [email protected]

INSEAD Directors Network, IDN – An INSEAD Global Club of International Board Directors.
Our Mission is to foster excellent Corporate Governance through networking, communication and self-improvement. IDN has 1,500 members from 80 countries, all Alumni from different INSEAD graduations as MBA, EMBA, GEMBA, and IDP-C. We meet in live IDN webinars and meet-ups arranged by our IDN Ambassadors based in 25 countries. Our IDN website holds valuable corporate governance knowledge in our IDN blog, and we share insights also to our LinkedIn and Twitter  followers. We highlight our member through quarterly sharing of their new board appointments and once a year we give out IDN Awards to prominent board accomplishments. We provide a peer-to-per mentoring and board vacancy service and we come together two times per year at the INSEAD Directors Forum arranged by ICGC. We also engage with ICGC on joint research.

To find out more about IDN, visit here

To join IDN, visit here

About INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre

Established in 2010, the INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre (ICGC) has been actively engaged in making a distinctive contribution to the knowledge and practice of corporate governance. The ICGC harnesses faculty expertise across multiple disciplines to teach and research on the challenges of boards of directors in an international context and to foster a global dialogue on governance issues with the ultimate goal to develop boards for high-performance governance. Visit ICGC website: https://www.insead.edu/centres/corporate-governance