As a trained mathematician, Kathryn Hess Bellwald naturally approaches every challenge with a problem-solving mindset. While her background in academia may not be the typical route to a boardroom seat, she believes that board members from diverse backgrounds bring fresh perspectives – especially in an era where geopolitical uncertainties are forcing organizations to rethink their strategies.
“The general problem-solving approach we have in STEM can complement more traditional business-oriented ways of thinking,” she explains. “We ask: ‘What data do we have? What extra data do we need?’ It’s a structured, analytical way of tackling problems – one that allows us to assess situations dispassionately, get up to speed quickly, and focus on what truly matters.”
Stepping up to senior leadership
Hess Bellwald earned her PhD from MIT and held positions at the universities of Stockholm, Nice, and Toronto before joining EPFL. Her leadership journey began in 2021 when she was appointed Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Outreach at EPFL, a role that involved managing around 90 people across nine departments.
To prepare for the transition, she participated in a pilot program between the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and IMD on advanced academic leadership. The blend of academic theory and hands-on role-playing exercises proved to be a learning experience that resonated deeply with her.
Since then, Hess Bellwald has sought new leadership opportunities. With few positions bridging academia and discipline-driven thinking, she realized that board governance offered opportunities to build upon her skills and interests.
A new chapter in board governance
In November 2024, she enrolled in IMD’s Mastering Board Governance and found it so rewarding that she decided to pursue the IMD Board Readiness Diploma, a customized learning journey designed to equip aspiring board members and executive directors with the skills to navigate complex governance challenges. She tailored her studies by selecting modules on strategy governance, stakeholder management, and risks.
By January 2025, she had joined the Academic Board of the Swiss National Science Foundation, which has a similar set-up to a traditional corporate board of directors. “It’s about shaping long-term strategy, engaging in decision-making alongside the executive team, and managing diverse stakeholders,” she explains, adding how her experience at IMD has helped her navigate key governance issues and engage more effectively with stakeholders.
She also participated in IMD’s High Performance Leadership program, which she found complementary to her diploma journey. “High Performance Leadership focuses more on your inner self, but I think we need both,” she said. “Doing the program alongside my board governance training helped me confirm my purpose and solidify my interest in this path.”
The power of the ‘Old Girls’ Network’
Despite progress, women remain underrepresented on boards, holding an average of 35% of non-executive board positions across the 27 EU nations with a law requiring companies to reach a 40% quota by 2026. Yet quotas alone won’t drive meaningful change. Strong networks and sponsorship – essentially an Old Girls’ Network to counterbalance the long-standing Old Boys’ Club – are key to helping women break into established circles, says Hess Bellwald.
“These networks aren’t about complaining about the difficulties women face,” she explains. “They’re about fostering support, sharing opportunities, and creating a path forward. If you’re the only woman on a board of ten, it’s reassuring to know there’s another woman on a different board you can turn to for advice.”
Breaking into the board circuit remains a considerable challenge.
“Once you’re in, it gets easier, but how do you get noticed, especially with an atypical profile? It’s not obvious that someone searching for a board member would think of a professor at EPFL,” she says. “Ideally, I want to join a board that aligns with my values and industries I’m passionate about, while also advising startups.”
‘A language you need to learn’
Having excelled not only as a woman in STEM but also as a board director with an unconventional background, Hess Bellwald advises other aspiring board directors to take the leap.
“Believe in yourself! It’s mostly about a language you need to learn. My experience in interdisciplinary research has taught me the importance of understanding different perspectives, integrating new ideas, and tackling relevant problems. Board governance is no different – it’s just a new kind of challenge.”
