Enter Next Level
Cambridge’s intellectual rigor, the Harvard method, or INSEAD’s precision? Why choose? Experience them all – right here in the Nordics. Welcome to the Boardroom Certificate™. A governance mastery program for established executives.
INTRO
True success – in sports, relationships, and life – demands continuous learning. Nowhere is this truer than in the corporate world, where each rung on the ladder tests both resilience and wisdom. The boardroom is the ultimate distillation of all your learnings – a concentrated space where experience, insight, and skills converge. The Boardroom Certificate is crafted as the definitive capsule for governance excellence, encompassing the essential keys to the boardroom.
The Boardroom Certificate is crafted as the definitive capsule for governance excellence, encompassing the essential keys to the boardroom. Boardroom Certificate is an comprehensive board education program designed to equip established executives with the keys to the modern board role.
Hosted in the heart of the city, this immersive 8-day program brings handpicked Ivy League professors, renowned keynote speakers, and high-caliber participants together to deliver a world-class learning experience.
Copenhagen
Kongens Nytorv 5
1250 Copenhagen C
Denmark
Amsterdam
Keizersgracht 324
1016 EZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Oslo
Grev Wedels Plass 2
10151 Oslo
Norway
Susan Lynch
Adjunct Professor, INSEAD &
Program Director at the Boardroom Certificate
Susan Lynch is a renowned academic powerhouse from INSEAD, where she is celebrated for her groundbreaking work in leadership and governance. Susan brings a wealth of expertise shaped by her experience with McKinsey New York, Harvard, and London Business School and participants can look forward to her ability to bridge complex theory and real-world impact.
As the Program Director of Boardroom Certificate, Susan leads participants through every step of this transformative journey. Her hands-on presence across all eight days ensures a cohesive and impactful experience for every attendee.
Program overview
13:00 - 14:30: Launch Lunch
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Faculty
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15:00 – 16:00: Introduction and Welcome Remarks
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16:00 – 17:00: Overview of the Four Pillars of Effective Boards
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The Four Pillars of Effective Boards
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Susan Lynch, INSEAD
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This session introduces the program’s foundational framework: the Four Pillars of Effective Boards. Susan Lynch presents an in-depth exploration of the principles that underpin exceptional governance.
Participants will gain clarity on how these pillars—strategy, oversight, innovation, and sustainability—intersect to drive organizational success. This session sets the stage for the transformative learning ahead.
17:30 – 18:30: Exploring Board/CEO Dynamics
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In the intricate landscape of corporate governance, the interplay between a board of directors and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) forms the bedrock of organizational success. Our exclusive Boardroom Certificate Program delves into the nuanced dynamics between these pivotal stakeholders.
This program offers a comprehensive exploration of how effective boards collaborate with CEOs to chart a course for strategic excellence. Understanding the delicate balance between oversight and collaboration, our curriculum delves into the critical areas of aligning visions, setting clear performance metrics, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and open communication.
By drawing insights from authoritative work by McKinsey senior partners and participants on the program will gain practical strategies to enhance their roles as board members. From optimizing decision-making processes to fostering an environment of innovation and accountability, our program empowers participants to elevate their organizations to new heights.
Join us to gain a profound understanding of board-CEO dynamics, honing the skills necessary to drive transformative change, navigate challenges, and contribute to the realization of high-performing boards as envisioned in ‘High Performance Boards.’ Together, we’ll unlock the potential of effective collaboration between boards and CEOs, ensuring sustained growth and strategic success.
18:30 – 20:00: Purpose and Sustainability in the Board Agenda
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Sustainability is no longer a peripheral topic—it’s a central pillar of successful board governance. Ioannis Ioannou, a globally recognized expert in ESG, takes participants on a journey through the intersection of purpose and sustainability in the modern boardroom.
This session addresses why embedding sustainability into decision-making isn’t just a moral obligation but a competitive edge. Using case studies and actionable frameworks, Ioannou demonstrates how aligning organizational goals with environmental, social, and governance principles enhances long-term value creation and stakeholder trust.
Participants will gain practical tools to champion sustainability initiatives and integrate them into the core of their governance strategy, ensuring resilience in a rapidly evolving world.
09:00 – 12:00: Strategic Thinking and Implementation
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Strategic thinking is the bedrock of effective governance. In this session, Susan Lynch delves into the art and science of crafting strategies that resonate in the boardroom and beyond.
Participants will explore frameworks for critical analysis, scenario planning, and adaptive decision-making, ensuring their strategies align with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations. With real-world case studies and interactive discussions, Susan provides a comprehensive toolkit for translating strategic insights into actionable outcomes.
Whether you’re shaping long-term visions or addressing immediate challenges, this session equips you with the skills to lead with precision and foresight.
13:00 – 15:00: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in the Boardroom
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Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing industries, and its implications for board governance are profound. Anat Lechner leads this session, exploring how AI can enhance decision-making, identify emerging trends, and create new opportunities for innovation. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of AI’s capabilities, including its ethical considerations and strategic applications.
Through case studies and discussions, Lechner illustrates how AI can be a driver of competitive advantage while addressing potential risks.
This session ensures board members are equipped to navigate the complexities of AI, enabling them to guide organizations through the challenges and possibilities of this transformative technology.
15:00 – 17:00: Finance for Boards
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Effective board members understand the language of finance. Giampiero Favato brings his extensive expertise to demystify financial complexities, providing participants with a robust toolkit to analyze financial statements, assess risks, and oversee capital allocation.
This session combines theory with practical applications, ensuring attendees gain actionable insights into navigating the financial landscape. Favato’s approach empowers board members to ask the right questions, spot red flags, and contribute meaningfully to strategic discussions.
By the end of this session, participants will be equipped to provide oversight that ensures both financial stability and long-term success, enhancing their confidence in guiding organizational growth.
18:00 – 20:00: Digital Transformation: Leading in a Tech-Driven Era
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The digital revolution has transformed not only industries but the very nature of governance. Rory McDonald, a leading voice on innovation and strategy, guides participants through the challenges and opportunities boards face in this new era.
This session delves into the integration of digital strategies within board agendas, examining how emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and data analytics shape decision-making.
Through interactive discussions, participants will learn how to harness these tools to drive innovation, mitigate risks, and maintain competitive advantage.
Participants will leave with a framework for navigating digital disruption, ensuring their organizations remain agile and future-ready.
This session bridges theory and practice, equipping leaders to not only understand but actively shape the technological evolution of their businesses.
09:00 – 11:00: Strategy Continued: From Planning to Execution
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Susan Lynch, INSEAD
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Strategic thinking is the cornerstone of effective governance, and Susan Lynch expertly bridges the gap between high-level strategy and actionable outcomes.
This session focuses on equipping participants with tools to navigate uncertainty, set clear priorities, and align organizational vision with execution. Through a mix of theoretical insights and interactive exercises, Lynch emphasizes the practical application of strategic frameworks to address real-world challenges.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to identify opportunities, manage risks, and lead organizations toward impactful results. With Susan Lynch guiding the discussion, attendees will refine their strategic mindset and enhance their ability to influence board-level decisions confidently.
11:00 – 12:00: Innovation as a Board Priority
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Innovation is the engine of progress, and boards play a pivotal role in fostering environments where creativity thrives. Susan Lynch takes participants on a journey through the board’s responsibility to nurture innovation while maintaining governance standards.
Drawing on practical examples and case studies, this session highlights the strategic value of prioritizing innovation. Participants will explore how boards can encourage breakthrough thinking, align it with organizational goals, and oversee the execution of innovative initiatives.
By the end of this session, participants will understand how to balance risk with opportunity, empowering their organizations to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape. Susan’s expertise ensures that leaders leave with actionable insights to embed innovation into the core of their governance practices.
13:00 – 15:00: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)
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Raina Brands, UCL
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion are no longer optional—they are fundamental to building resilient and innovative organizations. Raina Brands, a leading expert in organizational behavior, demonstrates how DE&I enhances board effectiveness and fosters sustainable growth.
This session examines the tangible benefits of diversity, from improved decision-making to enhanced stakeholder engagement. Participants will explore actionable strategies to integrate DE&I into board culture, ensuring it becomes a strategic advantage rather than a checkbox exercise.
Through thought-provoking discussions and practical frameworks, this session equips participants to champion inclusive practices within their boards. Raina’s insights empower leaders to create environments where diverse perspectives converge, driving innovation and long-term success.
15:00 – 18:00: Crisis Management and Communication
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Crisis Management and Communication
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In times of crisis, the boardroom becomes the nerve center of decision-making. Simon Lancaster, renowned for his expertise in communication and leadership, provides a masterclass in navigating high-stakes situations with poise and clarity.
Participants will learn how to craft and deliver messages that inspire trust, maintain stakeholder confidence, and uphold organizational integrity. Through real-world examples, this session explores how effective communication can mitigate crises and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
By the end of this session, participants will have the tools to lead through uncertainty, ensuring their boards act as beacons of stability and resilience during turbulent times.
19:00 – 22:00: Evening Celebration Dinner
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The Evening Celebration Dinner marks the culmination of the program with an elegant gathering that celebrates achievements, connections, and growth.
Hosted in a sophisticated setting, this event brings together participants, faculty, and thought leaders for a memorable evening.
Highlights include curated menus, speeches that reflect on the journey, and moments to connect deeply with fellow participants. It’s a celebration of shared accomplishments and a look forward to new opportunities in the boardroom.
09:00 – 14:00: Group Work: Applying Knowledge to Real-World Scenarios
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Susan Lynch, INSEAD
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Learning is most impactful when applied to real-world challenges. This collaborative session, led by Susan Lynch, bridges theory and practice as participants tackle scenarios drawn from today’s boardroom realities.
Working in groups, participants will address complex governance issues, leveraging insights from the program’s modules and their own expertise. This hands-on approach fosters deep learning, encourages diverse perspectives, and builds lasting connections among peers.
By engaging with real-world problems in a supportive environment, participants refine their decision-making skills and leave ready to implement these lessons in their own boardrooms.
14:00 – 16:00: Final Examination
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The Final Examination ties together the knowledge and insights gained throughout the program. Under Susan Lynch’s guidance, participants are challenged to synthesize their learnings, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex governance scenarios.
This reflective and rewarding session validates the journey, ensuring each participant leaves with a profound sense of accomplishment and readiness to impact the boardroom.
“In an era of profound shifts in business and on our planet, keeping a fresh perspective is essential. I thrive on development and challenging the norm, and Boardroom Certificate hits the mark. It’s a program designed for tomorrow, one that doesn’t just recycle old practices but reimagines way forward. Besides, it’s just a well executed program with precision and vision, offering a genuinely progressive approach to executive learning.”
Morten
Christiansen
CEO at 3, Scandinavia & Austria
Boardroom Certificate™ Participant
The Right Thing is the Smart Thing
We believe leadership is, at its core, a matter of judgment.
Not just technical execution, but moral clarity and the courage to hold the long view when others chase the quarter.
In an age where complexity has become the default, doing the right thing has never been harder – or more valuable? The right decision may not be the easiest, the cheapest, or the fastest. But in the long run, it is always the one that endures.
At Boardroom Certificate, we don’t separate strategy from responsibility. We teach them as interdependent disciplines, because today, they are. Doing the right thing is not idealism; it’s a competitive advantage when done right. That’s why we integrate ESG principles and the UN Sustainable Development Goals into our discourse, ensuring that our members are prepared for the boardroom of the future.
Because when you look at what truly defines great leaders, enduring companies and stable societies – it’s not perfection. It’s principle.
Highlights
8 Days
An eight-day immersive program spread over two months, combining on-site learning in Copenhagen with virtual sessions. It includes 4 full-day in-person sessions with global faculty, 4 online courses, a welcoming launch lunch, and a celebratory closing dinner. Designed for busy professionals, the program integrates lectures, case studies, and group work with opportunities for reflection and real-world application.
International Board Program
The only program of its kind in Europe, Boardroom Certificate blends global expertise with local relevance. Participants gain access to international faculty, world-class insights, and a growing network of peers. The program prepares you for the complexities of modern governance in an in-terconnected world, equipping you to navigate trends in sustainability, DE&I, and AI.
WHERE
Sankt Annæ Plads 11
Copenhagen
Keizersgracht 324
Amsterdam
Dronningens Gate 4
Oslo
AMBA Accreditation
Earn a diploma from an AMBA-accredited institution—an international benchmark of excellence in business education. Since 2014, AVT Business School has proudly held this accreditation, reserved for institutions that meet the highest academic and professional standards. This seal of quality ensures the Boardroom Certificate stands among the world’s elite programs for board members.
Board Club™ Access
Graduates become members of Board Club, an exclusive network designed to extend your learning journey and build lasting professional relationships. Membership includes access to Harvard Business Review keynotes, private dinners, curated events, and tailored support for your board career. It’s more than a network; it’s an ongoing investment in your leadership potential.
Emil Klixbüll Have
Managing Director, Boardroom Certificate
Behind the scenes, our dedicated staff ensures a seamless experience at every touchpoint. Many of the team members come from traditional business schools with extensive backgrounds in executive education, while others are trained in hospitality and client service.
Additionally, our organizational experts play a crucial role in designing subtle, effective interactions that foster networking among participants. With the intuitive program flow, we create an environment where connections flourish naturally, boosting the value of Boardroom Certificate beyond the classroom.
