About
the session.
IESE and WHU invite you to an executive conversation on “Experiences as a Board Member in SMEs”.
What sets exceptional boards apart in times of increasing complexity, disruption, and stakeholder demands? How can board members move beyond oversight to become true enablers of long-term value creation?
Join IESE Professor Marc Sachon and Dr. Doris Höpke—Board Member at Airbus SE, Supervisory Board Member at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and former Member of the Board of Management of Munich Re—for an engaging discussion on effective governance, strategic leadership, and boardroom decision-making.
Drawing on her extensive experience across global corporations and growth-oriented businesses, Dr. Höpke will share practical insights and personal reflections on the realities of board leadership in today's dynamic environment.
This session is part of the High-Performance Board Member Program (HPBM), jointly developed by IESE Business School and WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.
Join us on September 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. (CEST) for this exclusive online executive session and gain first-hand insights from one of Europe’s most respected board leaders.
Dr. Doris Höpke is an experienced board member, advisor, and former Member of the Board of Management of Munich Re. Today, she serves on the boards of Airbus SE and Mercedes-Benz Group AG, bringing extensive expertise in governance, strategy, and leadership. With more than two decades of international executive and board experience, Dr. Doris Höpke is recognized for navigating complexity, balancing stakeholder interests, and driving sustainable business success. Her pragmatic, authentic, and future-oriented leadership style makes her a trusted voice on effective board performance and responsible entrepreneurship.
The session will be moderated by Marc Sachon, IESE Academic Director of the HPBM Program.
This program is a collaboration with