HEC Paris Executive MBA Specialization Series: Board Governance

This unique program is made to inspire and get the next wave of board leaders ready. It covers the ins and outs of board roles, giving you the essential tools and skills you need to confidently hold your own in the boardroom.

This specialized program is crafted to inspire and prepare the next generation of board leaders, offering a thorough training in board roles and functions along with the essential tools and skills for success.

This specialized program is crafted to inspire and prepare the next generation of board leaders, offering a thorough understanding of board roles and functions along with the essential tools and skills for success.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS SPECIALIZATION?

The Board Governance Specialization, one of 9 Executive MBA Specializations, is tailored for most, if not all, EMBA students. That means whether you’re an investor, executive, independent director, entrepreneur building your company, or someone working for a board of directors, this program meets your needs. It’s also ideal for those offering consulting services to top managers and boards.

HEC Paris EMBA Board Governance Specialization

Professor Georg Wernicke, al fresco during the Frankfurt portion of the Specialization. Photo by Jens Braune.

 The highlights of the program, which provides crucial knowledge and tools for a deep understanding of board governance, includes a module week in either Frankfurt or Riyadh, followed by another module week in New York.

SPECIALIZATION HIGHLIGHTS:

Featuring insights from EMBA students worldwide, this Specialization offers crucial knowledge and tools for a deep understanding of board governance.

HEC Paris EMBA Student Daniel in Frankfurt

 Reflecting on his experience in Frankfurt, student Daniel Vieira de Biasi Cordeiro, EMBA ’25, shares that “it was a deep and insightful week, full of learning and relationships which I’m sure I’ll carry on for the rest of my life.”

In Frankfurt, Daniel says, “all my colleagues from the multiple cohorts were paramount for the high level of discussion.”

HEC Paris Professor Georg Wernicke, the Academic Director for the Specialization, spearheads the Frankfurt group.

“We discussed the main types of boards, typical board dilemmas, and situational roles of boards and directors. We scrutinized board dynamics and simulated how to optimize governance. We explored governance patterns in Europe and beyond.”

Emma Kearney, EMBA ’21, meanwhile, was marked by the richness and variation of perspectives during her experience in Riyadh.

“The diverse spectrum of students brought many viewpoints from region to industry, to size and type of business, but also shared an overlap on many of the key attributes for success. We discussed governance, mandate, expertise, preparation, dynamics, adding value, contribution.”

Besides sharing forefront thinking from academia, participants benefit from seasoned managers, board members, consultants, and different types of investors sharing their views and experiences on board governance. What is considered “good” board governance is highly context dependent.

HEC Paris EMBA student Emma Kearney in Riyad

HEC Paris EMBA student Emma Kearney, center, in Riyad.

Rather than spoon-feeding solutions, it encourages participants to ask the right questions and gain key insights into the complex nature of board tasks.

As a multidisciplinary and integrative topic, board governance draws from various disciplines such as accounting, auditing, finance, leadership, and strategy. This approach provides participants with a holistic understanding and a skill set to help boards create sustainable value for customers, employees, owners, and society.

All part of Professor Wernicke’s vision for a Specialization “aimed at inspiring and preparing the next generation of board members and equipping them with a comprehensive understanding of the role and functioning of boards, as well as the skills necessary to become successful board members.”

More CEOs of Fortune Global 500 companies have graduated from HEC Paris than any other university in Europe. Nearly 4,000 graduates are currently CEOs, CFOs, or have founded their own companies. The Executive MBA at HEC Paris perennially ranks among the best in the world; click here to learn more.

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