Overview
At Egon Zehnder we partner with board directors to support their evolving role in the boardroom. Many have shared that guiding their organizations for sustainable growth is a complex mission and they feel underequipped.
To address the growing need for board leadership in this rapidly changing time, Egon Zehnder has collaborated with Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability to create an experiential program exclusively for board directors.
Championing Sustainability from the Boardroom is a unique joint-learning experience. Differentiated from pure academic or business-school director programs, this Certificate Program will bring a combination of perspectives around the science, business, and stewardship implications of sustainability for boards.
Board directors will learn about, explore, debate, and connect with peers on a variety of relevant topics. These include championing strategies to seize generational opportunities and mitigate the risks presented by seismic changes in energy, water, food, climate adaptation, natural resources, and other environmental ecosystems. Directors will also embark on a personal development journey to heighten their contribution and leadership on this topic.
Program Facts at a Glance
Who
This program is intended for current board directors of global public companies.
What
A one-week residential and experiential program equipping current board directors with knowledge and tools to grow their understanding and leadership around sustainability.
When
From noon on Monday, September 30 to noon on Friday, October 4, 2024.
Where
Stanford University Campus
Fee
$17,500 (which includes accommodation, location transportation and meals)
Faculty
Joint Faculty from Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability and Egon Zehnder.
Key Program Themes
Strengthen your understanding of the sustainability challenges and solutions confronting society, rooted in cutting-edge research covering exciting topics such as impacts on health outcomes, advancements in energy technology, and food security and systems.
Explore implications of the risks and opportunities that sustainability challenges pose for your company and its ecosystem, building upon real world examples and experiences.
Expand your role as a board member beyond fiduciary responsibility to act as an active champion for helping your organization chart its sustainability journey.
Establish a network of peer directors to share best practices, strategies, and innovative solutions towards your company’s sustainability goals.
Overview of the one-week experience
Our innovative and exclusive one-week program is meticulously crafted to enable directors to champion sustainability within their organizations.
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First Day (starting at noon)
1
The journey begins on Monday, as participants embark on their sustainability journey. They gain a comprehensive understanding of the concept and its significance, while also being introduced to the profound impacts of climate change. They discover their role in addressing these challenges and become more empowered to make a difference.
Second Day
2
The second day of the program takes participants on a transformative exploration of systems and systems change. They delve into the interconnectedness of various sectors, such as health and food systems, and learn how these systems can be harnessed to drive sustainable change. Through reflection on the qualities and characteristics of responsible leaders, participants start envisioning themselves as catalysts for positive transformation.
Third Day
3
Day three shifts the focus to the practical risks and opportunities organizations face in the realm of sustainability. Real-world case studies are examined, enabling participants to analyze how sustainability considerations impact boardroom decisions. They develop the skills to identify and seize opportunities for sustainable innovation, as well as navigate the challenges that may arise along the way.
Fourth Day
4
With a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, participants eagerly embrace day four, which looks towards the future. They explore emerging trends and innovations in sustainability, gaining insights into cutting-edge technologies and practices that will shape the future. Equipped with this knowledge, they begin envisioning themselves as leaders who can select and support the next generation of sustainability champions.
Final Day (closing at noon)
5
The final day of the program serves as a culmination of the participants' learnings, offering them a chance to reflect on their newfound knowledge and skills. It provides valuable opportunities for them to navigate complex decision-making processes and develop effective strategies to address and respond to the exciting challenges they may encounter within their own organizations.
As the program concludes, participants leave with a renewed sense of purpose and empowerment. They are equipped with the tools and knowledge to shape sustainability initiatives within their organizations, as well as access to a network of like-minded colleagues looking to drive positive change and contribute to a more sustainable future. Inspired by their shared experience, they join a growing network of like-minded individuals, ready to make a significant difference in the world.
About
When the Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and the Chair of Egon Zehnder met in Davos this January, they recognized a shared purpose to enable better leadership through education and development. Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability, a preeminent global research institution in this field, and Egon Zehnder, the leading advisor to boards on effectiveness, governance and sustainability, found common ground in their missions. Egon Zehnder's purpose, "leadership for a better world," reflects our commitment to fostering leaders who drive positive change and sustainable growth. We advise leaders on sustainability by helping them integrate environmentally and socially responsible practices into their strategic vision, operations, and corporate culture. By leveraging our deep industry insights and global network, we guide leaders to not only meet current sustainability standards but to anticipate and shape future trends, ensuring their organizations contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability is made up of a community that spans collaborators across Stanford University and the world, all dedicated to cultivating deep knowledge and high-impact solutions to pressing planetary challenges. To match the scale, urgency, and complexity of sustainability, it is important for Stanford to be bold and ambitious and reimagine academia. The school is designed to create knowledge and amplify impact via innovations.
Egon Zehnder is the world’s preeminent leadership advisory firm, inspiring leaders to navigate complex questions with human answers. Our 600 consultants across 65 offices and 36 countries are former industry and functional leaders who collaborate seamlessly to deliver the full power of the Firm to every client, every time. We believe that together we can transform people, organizations and the world through leadership.
Meet our Faculty
Our faculty includes individuals from across Stanford University and Egon Zehnder, as well as global guest speakers which will be announced before the start of the program.
Stanford University
David Lobell
Benjamin M. Page Professor, William Wrigley Senior Fellow at The Freeman Spogli Institute, at The Woods Institute for the Environment and at The Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research
... More faculty to be confirmed
Egon Zehnder
Guest Speakers
Get In Touch
If you’re interested in becoming part of the founding cohort of this unique program, please leave your details here and a member of the organizing team will get in touch.
If you would like to inquire further, please contact becky.zhao@egonzehnder.com.