“The Best of Times, the Worst of Times”- How Boards Can Capture Value in a Volatile World
“The Best of Times, the Worst of Times”- How Boards Can Capture Value in a Volatile World
Overview
Organised by the INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, with the support from INSEAD Directors Network (IDN), the INSEAD Directors Forum on the theme “The Best of times, the Worst of Times” - How Boards Can Capture Value in a Volatile World, will take place on Friday, 24 April 2026 at the INSEAD Asia campus.
Boards in Asia and across the world are currently dealing with a highly volatile world, characterised by unpredictable events, a high speed of change and complicated chain reactions. Although the natural inclination of boards is to focus on risks and resilience, there are also significant opportunities for those who dare to innovate and act decisively. Creating long term value in this environment requires boards to take a different approach from their traditional way of working and redefine their capabilities.
The Forum will explore how the role of the board will have to evolve in order to deal effectively with the emerging risks and opportunities and make the right trade-off between the two.
We will focus on two main topics:
1. Understanding current volatility: What are the key drivers of volatility (geopolitics, macro-economy, technology, …)? How are they different from past? How do they interact and lead to second order effects? What are the resulting key risks and opportunities?
2. Implications for boards: Are boards set up to create value from this volatility? How should they change their way of working? Do they need new capabilities? What are the implications for individual directors?
Even while we may not be able to address all these questions in a single day, the Forum aims to create new insights beyond the obvious—drawing on multidisciplinary academic perspectives and rich practical experience from our speakers and participants.
For those who are seeking new perspectives on corporate governance strategies and practices, the Forum promises inspiring opportunities for learning, thought exchange and networking with peers, academic faculty and experts.
We will crown this day with Award Ceremony of the INSEAD Certificate in Corporate Governance for our newly certified directors followed by a celebratory dinner on Friday evening, 24 April.
Agenda
The agenda is tentative and subject to changes. Be sure to check it regularly for updates.
Friday, 24 April 2026
| 8:00 - 8:30 am | RegistrationINSEAD Main Lobby Entrance Welcome CoffeeOutside The Claude and Tuulikki Janssen Auditorium, Main Building, Level 2 (above library) |
| 8:30 - 8:45 am | Opening Remarks and Welcome Address |
| 8:45 - 9:45 am | The New Economic World Order: Risks and OpportunitiesPushan Dutt, Professor of Economics and Chair, Economics and Political Science Area, INSEAD |
| 9:45 - 10:30 am | AI: Gamechanger or Enabler?Annet Aris, Academic Director, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy |
| 10:30 - 11:00 am | Networking Coffee Break |
| 11:00 - 11:45 am | Panel Discussion on Climate Transition: Tipping Point or Gradual Transformation?Maya Hari MBA'05D, Non-Executive Board Member of Saint-Gobain, Cipla, Axiata and Singlife, Chair & Co-founder, Genie Health and Partner & Co-Founder, Modern Manifesto Ventures Moderated by Annet Aris, Academic Director, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy |
| 11:45 am - 12:00 pm | Introduction to the INSEAD Directors NetworkHelen Wiseman IDP-C'19Sep, 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 |
| 12:00 - 1:30 pm | Networking LunchIn The Grove Executive Restaurant, Leadership Development Centre, Level 6 |
| 1:30 - 2:15 pm | How Boards Can Drive or Hamper InnovationGuoli Chen, Professor of Strategy, The Mubadala Chaired Professor in Corporate Governance and Strategy and Chair, Strategy Area, INSEAD |
| 2:15 - 3:00 pm | Governing through Disruption: The Art of Building High Performing Board |
| 3:00 - 3:30 pm | Group Photo and Networking Coffee Break |
| 3:30 - 4:30 pm | Practical Session: Peer-to-Peer Parallel Workshops led by INSEAD Directors Network (IDN)Participants are required to select one of the 3 parallel workshops to attend. Workshop 1:Future-Proofing the Board in a Fractured World Workshop 2: Evolving Board Composition and Boardroom Dynamics Workshop 3: Building Resilient Boards for High-Stakes Decision-Making |
| 4:30 - 5:00 pm | Summary of Discussions from Parallel WorkshopsThe Claude and Tuulikki Janssen Auditorium, Main Building, Level 2 (above library) |
| 5:00 - 5:15 pm | Award Ceremony Keynote AddressThe Claude and Tuulikki Janssen Auditorium, Main Building, Level 2 (above library) Peter Joos, Dean of Faculty, Deputy Dean of INSEAD and Professor of Accounting and Control |
| 5:15 - 5:45 pm | Award Ceremony of the INSEAD Certificate in Corporate GovernanceThe Claude and Tuulikki Janssen Auditorium, Main Building, Level 2 (above library) |
| 5:45 - 6:45 pm | Free time to refresh and get ready for group dinner By 6:15 pm, shuttle bus outside INSEAD main lobby will depart from campus to the restaurant. |
| 6:45 - 9:30 pm | Cocktail & Celebration DinnerTower Club, 9 Raffles Place, Penthouse (62nd-64th Floors), Republic Plaza Tower 1 (Atlantic Room) |
Speakers
We are in the process of updating the speakers line-up. Do visit this page to get the latest updates.
Keynote Speaker
Professor of Accounting and Control
Presiding Faculty and Host
Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy
Advisor, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre
Academic Speakers
Professor of Economics and Political Science
Professor of Strategy
Board Practitioner Speakers
Group CEO, Raintree Group of Companies
Non-Executive Board Member of Saint-Gobain, Cipla, Axiata and Singlife, Chair & Co-founder, Genie Health and Partner & Co-Founder, Modern Manifesto Ventures
Independent Director, Audit & Compensation Committee Chair, Vinfast Auto Ltd
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
Independent Director in AIG Asia Pacific, Maxis Berhad, Singapore Institute of Management, Food from the Heart, Raffles Institution; Governing Council Member, Singapore Institute of Directors (SID)
Fees
Please refer to the table below for the applicable fee.
| Free |
| SGD 600 |
| SGD 700 |
| SGD 800 |
Cancellation policy
Please take note of the cancellation policy that we will apply for this event.
- Full refund for cancellation request made by 26 March.
- 50% refund for cancellation request made between 26 March to 9 April.
- No refund for cancellation request made from 10 April.
Accommodation
We have pre-reserved some hotel rooms at the INSEAD Residences for two nights for your stay during 23-25 April 2026.
To book your room, please click here to go to the hotel booking webpage and enter the group code: IDF0426
The standard room rate is SGD250.00+ per night for single occupancy. There will be an additional charge of SGD35.00+ per night for the extra person. Rates are inclusive of daily breakfast.
Should you wish to extend your stay, please put in your request via the "Add Special Request" column box found in the details section and our hospitality colleague will check the availability and respond to you.
For further questions regarding room reservation, please email directly to INSEAD Residences at [email protected].
Practical information
Getting to INSEAD Asia Campus, Singapore
The INSEAD Campus is located at No. 1 Ayer Rajah Avenue, Singapore 138676.
Parking and public transportation
Should you wish to drive, there are 15 visitors parking lots available on campus. They are on first come first serve basis. Please inform the security that you are here for INSEAD Directors Forum. Alternatively, you may park at the carpark of the Fusionopolis One, which is located just adjacent to INSEAD.
The nearest MRT station to the campus is the one-north MRT station (on the Circle Line). Walking distance is approximately 2 minutes from Exit A.
Dress code
The dress code is business casual for on-campus events.
Photos and videos
We have engaged an official photographer who will take photos of the sessions and during the Award Ceremony.
Bring your own device
The Forum is paperless so please bring your own electronic device (laptop/tablet/smartphone with Wi-Fi connectivity) as you will need it during the Forum to engage in some sessions.
WiFi access
Wireless internet is available on campus. Visitors are invited to join the WiFi named "INSEAD". The Wifi network will display a login page for you to enter your credentials (@insead.edu) or create a personal account (Guests, visitors with no @insead.edu account).
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.
- Fracas in Caracas: Redrawing the Lines by INSEAD Professor Pushan Dutt, INSEAD Knowledge
