IN-BOARD Module – Board Effectiveness – Egon Zehnder
11 May 2026 Are Dutch candidates quietly stepping back from their own boardrooms? That was one of the more thought-provoking questions raised at this week's IN-BOARD module, hosted by the @INSEAD Directors Network Netherlands at @Egon Zehnder in Amsterdam. The session focused on supervisory board composition, effectiveness, and the evolving role of non-executive directors in an increasingly complex environment. With regulation, geopolitical uncertainty, AI and societal pressure all intensifying, boards are being asked to do far more than governance oversight alone. Done well, supervisory boards become a real competitive advantage, supporting management, challenging assumptions and helping organisations navigate complexity. [...]
Family Entrepreneurship & Growth Capital: A Marriage Made in Heaven?
Family Entrepreneurship & Growth Capital: A Marriage Made in Heaven? Amsterdam, 14 April 2026 A standout event by the INSEAD Directors Network Netherlands. Prof. Bagalopal Vissa (INSEAD Entrepreneurship & Family Enterprises) shared cutting-edge research on growth capital for mid-market family businesses—highlighting risks, opportunities, dilemmas, and the role of boards and special attention for family dynamics. A panel of seasoned board members, Heleen van Gulik, Pascal Piepers, Ernst-Jan Koziolek, and Bastiaan Hoogendoorn moderated by Fennemiek Gommer, discussed provocative statements: Patient capital allows family business to grow while staying true to their legacy Private equity capital in family business is bad [...]
IN-BOARD Module – Risk, reputation and crisis management
Supervisory Boards – Risk, reputation and crisis management April 16th, 2026 Very inspiring session during the IN-BOARD program module organized by INSEAD Directors Network Netherlands at Hill Knowlton/Burson. Anthony Hellegers and Annika van Loenhout shared perspectives on current boardroom challenges around communication, reputation, and stakeholder trust. A few insights that particularly resonated with me: trust and truth are not always the same in today’s environment media outlets face intense competition, which can come at the expense of the quality of headlines and content in times of crisis, communication should address three things: care, action, and perspective For boards, communication [...]
INSEAD Netherlands Governance forum 2026 – What does it take to become a respected board member?
Reflections from the INSEAD Netherlands Governance Forum 2026 (Amsterdam, 26 March) March 26th, 2026 This forum was a valuable opportunity for members to shape their board careers by learning directly from seasoned non‑executive directors — and to ask the “hard questions” that come with the transition from executive to board roles. Theme: “The Journey of Becoming a Respected Board Member” We dug into: What you need to learn (and unlearn) when moving from an executive to a non‑executive role. How to develop yourself: mentors, networks, reading, board programs, and more. How to handle success and failure — both as a board [...]
IN-BOARD Program module – Family business and Private Equity
March 9th 2026 IN-BOARD Program module Family business and Private Equity at @gwynth for cohort #18. An inspiring afternoon discussing boards and non-executive board membership in family businesses and private equity. Max van Ballegooijen and Fred Harbers presented their thoughts on family businesses and Guus Overdijkink presented on Private equity. Key take aways: Both are exciting and interesting environments Do your Due Diligence well before you start Understand the environment and stakeholders well Think about how and where you can bring value to the business Thanks to Gwynt for being our host. For more on family business and [...]
Sustainable Value Creation – A Core Topic for Board Members
Sustainable Value Creation – A Core Topic for Board Members 6 Feb 2026 Event Sustainability has moved in and out of boardroom priorities—first driven by climate urgency and ESG regulations, more recently dismissed by some as “woke.” In a recent workshop by IDN NL, we made the case that sustainability can, in fact, become a powerful driver of long-term value creation. Realizing this value requires supervisory boards to understand the specific risks and opportunities of their business and to clarify how sustainability can be translated into customer value and competitive advantage. Hans Reus, Managing Director at Russell Reynolds Associates, [...]
