INSEAD Directors Forum - From Risk to Resilience: Boardroom Dilemmas in a Dynamic World
INSEAD Directors Forum - From Risk to Resilience: Boardroom Dilemmas in a Dynamic World
Overview
Organised by the INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, the flagship INSEAD Directors Forum on the theme 'From Risk to Resilience: Boardroom Dilemmas in a Dynamic World' will take place on 14-15 November 2025 at the INSEAD Europe campus.
“Resilience” has become a staple of boardroom jargon. Recent shocks explain why: a pandemic that upended supply chains, a war that scrambled energy flows, AI and other technologies outpacing regulation, and trade rules rewritten overnight. These shocks rarely arrive in isolation; the impact is less a series of events than a chain reaction. After an initial phase of tactical responses, boards now face the fundamental question of how to increase their companies’ resilience in the long term.
Leading academic research and lived board experiences will shape the debate around three defining dilemmas, helping to move resilience from a buzzword to a board-level strategy:
- Understanding uncertainties: Which forces are driving the resilience agenda—geopolitics, macroeconomics, climate, technology, energy—and how do they interact to create second-order risks?
- Building resilience: What defines a resilient company? Which concrete measures—on footprint, partnerships, finance, or risk management—are needed and what are the trade-offs? How do soft factors like agility, trust, and culture shape outcomes?
- Implications for boards: How should resilience change board practice? From agenda-setting to skills mix, from risk appetite to KPIs, what needs rethinking?
As you seek fresh perspectives on corporate governance strategies and practices, this Forum offers cutting-edge insights from academics and real-life experience, collaborative group work, and meaningful exchanges with peers, faculty, and experts. A highlight of the event will be the special dinner at the Fontainebleau castle to celebrate our newly certified Directors on Friday evening, 14 November.
Adding on to the agenda, the INSEAD Directors Network (IDN) invites its members and newly certified directors to attend its AGM on the morning of 15 November.
Register now and be inspired by our curated content, dynamic speakers and engaging sessions.
Agenda
The agenda is tentative and subject to changes. Be sure to check in for regular updates.
Day One
Friday, 14 November 2025
| 11:30 am - 1:20 pm | Registration and Refreshment Venue: Upper Gallery, Main Building - Walkway from Main Entrance to Amphi David Suddens MBA'78 |
| 1:20 - 1:40 pm | Introduction by Academic Director of INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre Venue: Amphi David Suddens MBA'78, Meeting Point (Camembert) Annet Aris, Academic Director, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy |
| 1:40 - 2:25 pm | Fireside Chat on When Risks Collide: Strategies to Assess and Navigate Compounded Corporate Uncertainties Gilbert Ghostine, Chairman of Sandoz, Board member of Danone and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Moderated by Annet Aris, Academic Director, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy |
| 2:25 - 3:10 pm | The World in Flux: Are Geopolitical and Economic Challenges Really Different From the Past? Antonio Fatas, Professor of Economics and The Portuguese Council Chaired Professor of European Studies |
| 3:10 - 3:30 pm | Networking Coffee Break |
| 3:30 - 4:15 pm | The Changing Nature of ESG Dilemmas Lise Kingo, Independent Director at Danone S.A., Sanofi S.A. and Covestro A.G. |
| 4:15 - 5:00 pm | What Are the Key Uncertainties Around the Development of AI Theodoros Evgeniou, Professor of Technology and Business |
| 5:05 - 5:15 pm | Award Ceremony Keynote Address Enrico Diecidue, Professor of Decision Sciences, Chair, Decision Sciences Area and Co-Director of International Directors Programme |
| 5:15 - 6:15 pm | Certification Award Ceremony for Newly Certified Directors from the INSEAD International Directors Programme Venue: Amphi David Suddens MBA'78, Meeting Point (Camembert) |
| 6:15 - 7:00 pm | Free time to refresh and network By 7pm to be ready at meeting point Fontainebleau Castle Main Entrance Gate (Shuttle bus pick up available at 18:45 from Octapharma Building) |
| 7:00 - 7:20 pm | Parcours du Roi at the Fontainebleau Castle (short passage through the King’s apartments) |
| 7:20 - 8:00 pm | Networking Cocktail in the Salle des Colonnes, Fontainebleau Castle |
| 8:00 pm onwards | Dinner in the Galerie des Cerfs, Fontainebleau Castle |
| 10:30 pm | Departure from the Jardin de Diane, Fontainebleau Castle (Shuttle bus pick up available for drop off at swimming pool carpark next to INSEAD campus) |
Day Two
Saturday, 15 November 2025
| 8:30 - 9:15 am | INSEAD International Directors' Network (IDN) Presentation and Annual General Meeting Led by Helen Wiseman, President of INSEAD International Directors Network (IDN), Non-Executive Director, Bid Corporation (JSE:BID), Audit and Risk Committee Chair, Canterbury Cathedral and Trustee of SFI Health |
| 9:30 - 9:40 am | Welcome and Opening Remarks Annet Aris, Academic Director, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy |
| 9:40 - 10:20 am | Strategies for Dealing With Absolute Uncertainty José Santos, Affiliated Professor of Practice in Global Management |
| 10:20 - 10:50 am | Networking Coffee Break |
| 10:50 - 11:30 am | Coping with Technology Shocks Chengyi Lin, Affiliate Professor of Strategy |
| 11:30 am - 12:10 pm | Thriving Under Pressure: Mastering the Art of Personal and Organisational Resilience Derek Deasy, Senior Affiliate Professor of Organisational Behaviour |
| 12:10 - 1:45 pm | Group Photo and Networking Lunch at The Cercle |
| 1:45 - 2:30 pm | Panel Discussion: Board Best Practices in Dealing With Resilience Emmy Labovitch MBA'91D, IDP-C'21Oct, Chair of the Board of Forester Life Limited, Independent Member of the Royal London With-Profits Committee Moderated by Annet Aris, Academic Director, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy |
| 2:30 - 3:00 pm | Strategic Agility and Resilience Yves L. Doz, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Management, The Solvay Chaired Professor of Technological Innovation, Emeritus |
| 3:15 - 4:10 pm | Group Discussions and Peer-to-Peer Parallel Workshops led by INSEAD Directors Network (IDN) Workshop 1: What Is the Role of the Board (vs. Management) in Addressing Resilience Dilemmas? |
| 4:15 - 4:45 pm | Summary of Workshops Venue: Amphi David Suddens MBA'78, Meeting Point (Camembert) |
| 4:45 - 5:00 pm | Wrap Up and Closing Remarks Annet Aris, Academic Director, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy |
Speakers
Speakers line-up is in the process of updating. Do visit this page to get the latest updates.
Forum Chair and Host
Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy
Academic Speakers
Professor of Economics
Professor of Technology and Business
Professor of Decision Sciences
Visiting Professor of Strategy; Co-Director of the International Directors Programme
Affiliated Professor of Practice in Global Management
Affiliate Professor of Strategy
Senior Affiliate Professor of Organisational Behaviour
Emeritus Professor of Strategic Management
Board Practitioner Speakers
Board member of Linde and Lazard Group, Supervisory board member of DHL; Distinguished Affiliate Professor, Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Non-Executive Director at Sanofi, Covestro and Aker Horizons
President of INSEAD International Directors Network (IDN), Non-Executive Director, Bid Corporation (JSE:BID), Audit and Risk Committee Chair, Canterbury Cathedral and Trustee of SFI Health
Sandoz (Chairman), Danone (Member of the Board), Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (Member of the Board)
Chair of the Board of Forester Life Limited, Independent Member of the Royal London With-Profits Committee
CEO of Geohellas S.A., Chairman of Greek Mining Enterprises Association, Board Member of Faliro House and Co-Founder, Director of Paracelsus Consortium and IDN Ambassador for Greece
Chair of Fishamble dac, Senior Independent Director of Kroo Ltd., Non-Executive Director of The Planning Board (An Comisiun Pleanála), Crawford Art Gallery, EDT limited and Axis Theatre Ballymun, IDN Ambassador for Ireland
IDN Ambassador for France
Ambassador for The Netherlands of INSEAD International Directors Network (IDN), Non-Executive Director at TESYA and Facilicom Group, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Ridder and Walraven
CEO of Serowires Strategy Consulting and IDN Ambassador for the Americas
Fees
Thanks to the overwhelming demand, we would like to announce that all tickets for the event are fully SOLD. If you would like to be put on a waitlist, please contact us at [email protected].
Please refer to the table below for the fees applicable which are inclusive of prevailing tax (VAT) according to the laws and regulations applicable in France.
| Free |
| EUR 750 |
| EUR 850 |
| EUR 950 |
Cancellation policy
Please take note of the cancellation policy that we will apply for this event.
- Full refund for cancellation request made by 14 October
- 50% refund for cancellation request made between 15 October to 31 October
- No refund for cancellation request made after 31 October
Accommodation
The INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre has made pre-reservations at hotels on Fontainebleau campus.
In order to secure your booking at your preferred hotel, please click here and enter the booking code: CS187
Please note that the reservation page will always show these hotels as fully booked until you enter the code CS187 and no more than 2 nights.
INSEAD Hotel Ermitage (available for two nights 13-15 Nov.)
Route de l'Ermitage
77300 Fontainebleau
Hotel Clos St Merry (available for two nights 13-15 Nov.)
49 bis, rue Saint Merry
77300 Fontainebleau
If you need or prefer other hotel options in Fontainebleau, please click here for the list of hotels and contact them directly to reserve your stay.
Practical Information
Getting to INSEAD
INSEAD Europe campus is just 65km south of Paris. The Fontainebleau/Avon train station is located 3km from INSEAD. You may refer to the campus map here.
Taxi Reservations
Should you wish to make a taxi booking, please contact the ResaTaxiPro transfer company using their website (Tel: +33 6 78 78 17 81).
Dress Code
The dress code for the day sessions is business casual and dinner at the Chateau is semi-formal.
Photos and Videography
During the course of the two-day Forum, we have engaged an official photographer and videographer who will take photos and videos of the sessions and during the Award Ceremony.
Pre-Reads
We are happy to share with you the following articles and resources which are useful reference related to the topics to be discussed during the INSEAD Directors Forum. Please check this section for latest updates.
For Day 1 (14 Nov 2025):
- Can AI Help Build Smarter Humans?
INSEAD Knowledge with Theodoros Evgeniou, INSEAD, and Tim Gordon (MBA '00D), Best Practice AI | 30 Sep 2025
For Day 2 (15 Nov 2025):
- How AI Can Change the Way Companies Go Global
José Santos, INSEAD | 20 April 2025
- Deeper Than DeepSeek: China’s AI Ascendancy
Chengyi Lin, INSEAD | 4 March 2025
- Your Board is Your Best Insurance Against Turbulence
Yves L. Doz and Keeley Wilson, INSEAD | 11 Jun 2024
- IDN Workshop 3 - How Should the Board Adapt Its Way of Working in Order To Be Able To Better Deal With Resilience Dilemmas?
Pre-read material to prepare before the session.
