Our lively community of GUBERNA Directors & Certified Directors

Gilles Van Lysebeth: Danny, you’ve been involved with the Directors Council for quite some time. How do you reflect on the Council’s evolution?

Danny VandeVyver: My journey with GUBERNA began when I completed the full Directors Program in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, I signed the GUBERNA Charter, formally committing myself to good governance and sustainable growth. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with inspiring chairs such as Sandra Gobert, Jo Benoit, and Bruno Colmant. In my role on the Council, I contributed to developing the GUBERNA network through initiatives like GUBERNA (Certified) Directors Talks, Sparkles, and the creation of the innovative Sounding Board Committee concept. In 2023, I took on the role of Director Climate Change, allowing me to continue challenging myself while contributing to future-proof policies with sustainability as a guiding principle.

Gilles Van Lysebeth: You’ve recently become co-chairs of the Council. What does this new tandem mean to you personally, and why is it important that both national languages are represented?

Danny VandeVyver: My professional career has been built within international companies such as AB InBev, Siemens, and Atos. These environments have allowed me to fully develop my passion for cross-cultural collaboration and my international experience in marketing and sales. While I have focused mainly on the Benelux and Nordics over the past seven years, Brussels and Flanders still feel like my true home. Pierre-Henri, who was born in Kortrijk but has roots in Brussels and Wallonia, brings extensive knowledge of the Belgian energy and business landscape. His insights and skills perfectly complement mine, and I am confident that our collaboration will be highly successful.

Gilles Van Lysebeth: Pierre-Henri, you are not only co-chair of the Council but also a board member at GUBERNA. How do you view the role of the Directors Council and its representation of individual members?

Pierre-Henri D’haene: The Directors Council exists to represent the voice of alumni who have participated in GUBERNA’s training programs, such as Director Effectiveness, Board Effectiveness, and Board Simulation. To achieve this, the first step we took was to clearly articulate the value proposition for the GUBERNA (Certified) Directors community, ensuring that our initiatives align with members’ needs and experiences.

Gilles Van Lysebeth: You and the Council members redefined the mission and vision. What are the main pillars of this new mission?

Pierre-Henri D’haene: The mission now rests on three pillars. First, GUBERNA (Certified) Directors act as ambassadors of GUBERNA’s training programs, continuing to grow as directors and helping to professionalize board roles. Second, the Council creates a community for exchanging ideas on major topics currently affecting boards, such as cybersecurity, sustainability, and geopolitical developments, while also sharing opportunities within Belgian boards. Third, the Council serves as a bridge between GUBERNA and its alumni, allowing members to contribute to the institute’s strategic initiatives while also bringing back insights from boards across the country. This ensures that GUBERNA can adapt its services to evolving market realities.

Gilles Van Lysebeth: Danny, how do you plan to translate this mission into concrete actions and activities for the community?

Danny VandeVyver: I have observed that Belgians often come to networking events to listen, but they rarely share their own experiences. The Council seeks to change this by activating our talented community through events such as networking activities, best-practice exchanges, Sounding Board Committees, and Sparkles sessions. By combining academic insights from GUBERNA with practical experiences from members, we aim to build a learning ecosystem where knowledge is not only gathered but actively shared and applied.

Gilles Van Lysbeth: Why is it important for GUBERNA (Certified) Directors to actively participate in these initiatives, and what do they gain?

Pierre-Henri D’haene: Active participation allows GUBERNA (Certified) Directors to continue learning throughout their journey as board members. While training programs provide a snapshot of skills at a given time, GUBERNA (Certified) Directors activities keep knowledge up to date on governance codes, legislation, and emerging challenges. They also provide hands-on learning from peers and help build a rich, meaningful network of board members.

Gilles Van Lysebeth: The theme of this Directors Assembly was “The NED of the Future.” Why was it important to bring directors together around this topic?

Pierre-Henri D’haene: The skills and knowledge expected of board members are constantly evolving. Many GUBERNA (Certified) Directors ask how to prepare for board mandates and how to position themselves as credible candidates. Based on community feedback, the Council identified five key topics: the skills boards are seeking today, preparation for a board mandate, demonstrating one’s value, understanding boards’ perspectives in selecting candidates, and transitioning from executive to non-executive roles.

Gilles Van Lysebeth: Danny, what is your vision for the future of the GUBERNA Directors community?

Danny VandeVyver: With more than 1,000 active GUBERNA Directors, our primary goal is to engage at least 60% of members in our programs. The 30th anniversary of GUBERNA is a unique milestone to strengthen the community, share knowledge, and enhance the impact of good governance across Belgium.

Gilles Van Lysebeth: Pierre-Henri, what is your vision?

Pierre-Henri D’haene: The vision for the GUBERNA (Certified) Directors community is to create a recognized, dynamic, and engaged network of board members in Belgium. At the same time, it contributes to GUBERNA’s broader ambition of remaining the reference institution for good governance. Both co-chairs look forward to collaborating closely with GUBERNA (Certified) Directors in the coming months.