Business Event:
How to Navigate Crises as a Board Member
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
 
As a board member, you have a critical role to play in crisis situations to ensure the resilience of the business while maintaining stakeholder confidence. The challenge often lies in balancing immediate action with protecting long-term reputation, ensuring transparency without compromising legal standing, and strengthening leadership while maintaining strategic oversight. 

• How can boards manage these tensions to turn crises into opportunities for enhanced credibility?

• What approaches can a board take to position itself not only as a crisis manager, but also as an architect of organizational authenticity?  

• How can boards turn communications challenges into a catalyst for strengthening stakeholder relationships and future-proofing governance models?

We will discuss these questions and more with Victor Balli, one of the most experienced and respected board members of leading international companies in Switzerland. The interview will be moderated by Alice Chalupny, Partner at Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Counselors and an expert in crisis and reputational issues.
 
Following the interview, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, followed by a standing dinner. We look forward to an inspiring and lively discussion.

 

Victor Balli, independent board member Mr. Balli is a seasoned finance and corporate governance expert. Formerly Group CFO at Barry Callebaut, he now serves on multiple boards, including Givaudan, Sika, Medacta, Louis Dreyfus, KWS Saat, often chairing their audit or risk committees. He is also a member of the board of the Swiss Federal Audit Oversight Authority. He holds an MSc in chemical engineering from ETH Zurich and an MA in economics from the University of St. Gallen.

Alice Chalupny, Partner, Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Counselors As a partner at one of Switzerland’s leading strategic advisory firms, Ms. Chalupny advises companies and boards on crisis and reputational issues. She is a board member, a frequent guest lecturer, and a specialist officer in the Swiss Army. She began her career in the late 1990s as a business journalist and later headed corporate communications for fenaco and La Mobilière.

Programme
18:00 Registration & welcome drinks
18:30 Interview and discussion
20:00 Standing dinner & networking
 
Key Facts
When: Wednesday, 29 October 2025, 18:00
Where: Hotel Widder, Rennweg 7, 8001 Zürich
Tickets: CHF 55 Swiss Association members (paid-up) // CHF 85 Alumni non-members and guests. 50 guests maximum.
 
Registration: https://infomaniak.events/en-ch/conferences/how-to-navigate-crises-as-a-board-member/e346c421-d71c-4968-b359-7d066a3e5258/event/1439112
 
INSEAD Alumni Association Switzerland
Mary Antenen, IDP-C’16Oct, IDN Ambassador Switzerland
Matthias Frieden, MBA’05J, Head of IN-BOARD
Philippe Mauron, MBA’95J, President
events@insead.ch