Program Overview

Today, every board member must understand the critical sustainability issues impacting their organizations. However, many directors feel unprepared to guide their organizations through the complexities and rapid changing landscape of sustainability.

Championing Sustainable Growth from the Boardroom is an immersive, one-week residential program exclusive for board directors. Bringing together expertise from across Stanford University in the heart of Silicon Valley and Egon Zehnder, the world’s preeminent global board and leadership advisory firm, this transformative experience is designed to equip board members with essential knowledge spanning the science, business, and stewardship of sustainability.

Through expert-led sessions, board directors will learn about, explore, debate, and connect with global 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. They will reflect on the importance of 'systems thinking' in sustainability, and why it is essential to understand the interrelated benefits and consequences of each sustainability-driven initiative. Directors will develop their own roadmap to push boundaries and encourage 'methodical pragmatists' to drive innovation.

Date: TBD
Location: Stanford University (Stanford, CA, USA) 
Price: $19,500 USD (accommodations and meals included) 
Certificate Awarded: Participants will earn a Certificate of Completion from Stanford University
Application Deadline: 

Key Program Themes

  • Strengthen your understanding of the sustainability challenges and solutions confronting society, rooted in cutting-edge research.
  • Explore implications of the risks and opportunities that these sustainability challenges pose for your company and its ecosystem.
  • 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.

Who Should Attend?

This program is intended for current board members from large multinational companies. The program will take a truly global view, and board directors from all parts of the world are encouraged to apply.

 

Program Speakers

Stanford Faculty

  • Jim Leape (Academic Director)
  • Yi Cui
  • Gretchen Daily
  • Ken Shotts
  • David Lobell
  • Steve Luby
  • Arun Majumdar
  • Pam Matson
  • Louie Montoya
  • Condoleezza Rice

Egon Zehnder Faculty

  • Catherine Zhu, Toronto (Lead Faculty)
  • Jon Carter, Palo Alto
  • Friedrich Kuhn, Berlin
  • Ricardo Sunderland, San Francisco
  • Sarah Van Dyck, San Francisco

Guest Speakers

  • Sabrina Peng, Ant Group
  • Roger Martella, GE Vernova
  • Ann Tracy, Colgate
  • Paul Munter, SEC (formerly)
  • Jingdong Hua, ISSB
  • Benno Dorer, The Clorox Company

Program History

When the Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Dr. Arun Majumdar, and the Chair of Egon Zehnder, Dr. Michael Ensser, met in Davos in January 2024, 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.

A Joint-Invitation Letter

Testimonials

The first cohort of this program joined together in September 2024 and have initiated tremendous results. Hear more from them directly.

 

“This program is unique because it is not a program but a life experience. It is a moment in time where we can deeply connect with peers and with ourselves. As participants we are in the right conditions to learn and also or mostly to transform these insights into powerful personal commitments.”

“l thought the mix of the science and the personal leadership insights. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work – but it was truly successful and valuable.”

“The selection of the participants is brilliant. Each person brought a different prisma of perspective. All participants have a meaningful experience but there were "no big egos". I think we all share the willingness to learn and a sense of curiosity. There is an obvious good collaboration between Egon Zehnder and Stanford colleagues, and this is visible in the end result. It is one team (at least it is my perception).”

“A fantastic group of people with great chemistry and a diversified background, both by geography and industry.”

“The fact that 5 senior EZ partners spent the whole week with us in person gave the programme a huge boost via an enhancing dimension. This allowed the week to turn into an immersion experience rather than being a purely educational course. So in this respect the joint venture between Standford and Egon Zehnder is a powerful concept.”

Thank you for inviting me, I am convinced this cohort will have an impact on its respective organizations as a result of this past week. This program is so meaningful and I felt it has been a rewarding week.”

Interested in learning more? 

Contact Becky Zhao at becky.zhao@egonzehnder.com 
Please include: Your Full Name, Reason for interest, Email Contact, Current Boards, and From whom you heard about the program. 
You may also apply directly here.