IMD business school for management and leadership courses
Our People
Our inclusive community, made up of 46 nationalities, is committed to welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and supporting them professionally and personally. We strive to create a diverse workplace with low levels of hierarchy, and operate with honesty and transparency. Each member of our team is given the chance to maximize potential, feed curiosity, and form meaningful connections within our close community. This enables our colleagues to develop their skills in a culture that blends high performance with positive well-being.
In 2024, we provided all employees with access to a range of professional development opportunities and training sessions. As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a caring and inclusive culture, we held our second Well-being Month and organized a series of events to maintain the focus on DE&I and, at the same time, create opportunities for engagement. Our on-going activities during the course of 2024 aimed at engaging with our employees as well as providing opportunities to support our local communities.
Our highlights of 2024
We@IMD – our award-winning internal development program
The We@IMD program was recognized at the Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Technology with a gold award for the Best Advance in Education Delivered Through Technology.
Launched in 2023, the program focuses on building self and collective leadership mindsets, essential for navigating today’s rapidly changing business environment. It is a comprehensive learning journey that includes online modules, experiential exercises with AI-powered tools, peer coaching, reflective discussions, and interactive sessions with IMD’s faculty. Through this program, our workforce gains valuable insights from IMD’s expertise, leveraged by the latest cutting-edge technologies. With 132 employees participating over four cohorts in 2024, the program has already made a significant impact.
Sustainability
Our purpose to foster a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive society has never been more pertinent. In 2024, IMD continued to lead the way in executive education, research, and partnerships that magnify our impact on society. Our degree and executive education programs continue to catalyze change, empowering leaders to navigate transformation courageously.
In 2024, we achieved significant milestones that underscore our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment and fostering inclusion. These achievements motivate us to continue with our efforts.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to developing leaders and organizations that contribute to a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Learn more about our sustainability journey
IMD’s impact in Canton Vaud and beyond
With Swiss roots and global reach, IMD is committed to making a sustained positive contribution in Switzerland and beyond. In 2024, as part of the successful process to renew IMD’s Business School Impact System (BSIS) label, we undertook a comprehensive analysis of our impact in Canton Vaud around seven dimensions. Showing the breadth and depth of that impact, here are just some of the key findings from our report published in February 2025.
Economic impact: IMD contributed CHF 440m to the Vaud economy and was responsible for 5.4% of all hotel night reservations in Lausanne in 2023.
Educational impact: IMD develops executives’ capacities through its degree, open, and custom programs for many companies based in Vaud. More than 14,500 alumni are based in the canton and contribute to its vibrant private and public enterprises as well as local startups.
Business development impact: IMD supported almost 30% of the startups named to the Venturelab Top 100 Swiss Startup Award 2024.
Intellectual impact: 233,000 case studies were sold to more than 1,000 business schools worldwide in 2023, demonstrating the global reach and impact of IMD’s research and thought leadership.
Impact within the ecosystem: IMD is well integrated into the ecosystem and has strong partnerships with other Vaud universities such as the collaboration with UNIL-HEC and EPFL through the E4S Center.
Societal impact: A significant 19% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 and a 6% reduction in Scope 3 from 2021 was achieved in 2023, showcasing IMD’s dedication to environmental responsibility.
Image impact: IMD’s rankings and efforts reinforced Lausanne’s academic reputation, contributing to the city and the canton of Vaud’s standing as a center of excellence in education and entrepreneurship. IMD is a member of Vaud AMBASSADEUR and is recognized as making the canton shine.
Accreditations
IMD is accredited as a university institute by the Swiss Accreditation Council
Accreditations from the world’s three leading business education associations
Third consecutive gold medal from sustainability rating leader EcoVadis
IMD’s information security and data protection policies and practices are ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certified
IMD is recognized as a VAUD ambassadeur.
The Business School Impact System label from the European Foundation for Management Development
Regional Highlights
In 2024, we accelerated our Asia activities, supporting over 2,000 executives from 44 leading Asian organizations through a mix of nearly 90 custom and open programs. Building on the solid groundwork established in prior years, we unified our efforts into a single IMD Asia structure, significantly enhancing our reach and impact. This strategic consolidation was complemented by a significant leadership transition with Mark Greeven stepping in as the new Dean of Asia.
In 2024, IMD continued its collaborations with key organizations across the Middle East and Africa, supporting leadership development initiatives tailored to the evolving needs of each sector. Through structured programs and customized learning journeys, these partnerships focus on equipping executives and emerging leaders with the skills needed to navigate complex environments, drive innovation, and lead with impact.
In our full report, discover more highlights from the regions together with more details on our institution.