Hanne served on the IMD Foundation and Supervisory Boards since 2016 and as Vice-chair since 2019, bringing exceptional leadership and strategic insight to guide the institution’s mission.
Her dedication to excellence in leadership, transformation, and governance was evident throughout her distinguished career. As co-founder of a-connect, which she created in 2002, she led a team of 2,200 certified independent professionals across eight offices, helping companies execute critical projects worldwide. Her entrepreneurial vision transformed how global businesses approach complex problems.
Hanne served as a Non-Executive Director at Nestlé, chairing the Sustainability Committee, and held board positions at AB Volvo, Sandvik, Metso Outotec Oyj, Telenor, Tomra, and Valora. Her expertise in audit leadership and corporate governance across diverse industries made her a trusted and invaluable voice in boardrooms worldwide.
What set Hanne apart was her genuine care for developing the next generation of leaders. She served as Director of the IMD Scholarship Foundation since 2012, working to make quality business education accessible to deserving candidates regardless of their means or background. Her dedication to empowering women in leadership was exemplified through her support of the BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women, which creates opportunities for talented women who have faced obstacles that made an MBA feel out of reach.
“To many, Hanne was a mentor. To me, she was a miracle—an answer to my prayers. My family calls her my benefactress, and rightly so. She became a cornerstone of my support system, expanding my vision and pushing my boundaries. Because of her, I know my success must ripple outward—to uplift others as she uplifted me. Hanne was, and will remain, my beacon—lighting my ambitions and reminding me of the legacy I must carry forward. I am a Backpacker! She was truly a force for good, with an unwavering belief in the potential of others. Her light will surely continue to shine. What a privilege I had to be close to her,” said Sorelle Djankou, the first recipient of the BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women.
“The IMD community has lost a guiding light, and I have lost someone I am proud to call my mentor, a role model whose belief in me changed the course of my life,” said scholarship recipient Nadia Osman. “Through the Backpack Foundation, Hanne opened a door that transformed both my journey and the woman I am becoming. I will carry her spirit with me always, in the way I lead, the way I uplift others, and through our continued efforts to honor her legacy through the Foundation she so deeply believed in.”
Prior to a-connect, Hanne was a partner at McKinsey & Company based in Switzerland. She began her career as a credit analyst with Den Norske Creditbank in Luxembourg before holding brand management and controller roles at Procter & Gamble.
“With Hanne, we are losing another great figure – generous, passionate, smart, wise and always smiling and positive despite the challenges she encountered. Always available for IMD, she had a significant impact on so many people, professionally and privately, and will be remembered as a caring friend, engaged mentor, and above all, a humble and generous human being,” expressed Michel Demaré, Chairman of the Foundation and Supervisory Boards at IMD and Chair of the Board at AstraZeneca Plc.
Colleagues and friends remember Hanne’s strategic thinking and unwavering commitment to excellence. She had the rare ability to see both the big picture and crucial details, always with an eye toward sustainable growth and positive impact.
“The IMD community has lost one of its most dedicated members, a tireless advocate for leadership development, organizational change, and good governance,” said David Bach, President of IMD. “And I have lost a mentor, role-model, and friend, someone who has taught me so much and on whom I could always rely for thoughtful counsel. All of us will miss Hanne’s boundless energy and the warmth she brought to every interaction.”
The entire IMD community extends its heartfelt condolences to Hanne’s family, friends, and all those whose lives and careers she touched. Her legacy of visionary leadership, commitment to education, and caring for others will continue to inspire generations of leaders to come.
