Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative

Our Governance

The GRLI operates with an adaptive purpose-driven organisational framework which continues to evolve as the work of the GRLI Community develops and changes. This philosophy is embodied in the GRLI’s organising structures and in its governance model.

Governance Framework

As an entity advocating that leaders everywhere should behave in a globally responsible way, it is important that the GRLI practices appropriate transparency and accountability in its dealings with a wide range of stakeholders.

The GRLI’s work since its foundation has relied on a relational and partnership approach which is also reflected in its unique governance model.

Two living documents, the Governance Framework and Guardian Group Terms of Reference, are meant to assist the Board and Guardian group (as Council representatives) in their governing role. These are updated on an ongoing basis as our work and role evolves. They represent the GRLI’s statement of its position on corporate governance at any point in time.

Guardians of the GRLI Council

Full institutional partners are at the heart of the GRLI and constitute the Council of Partners. The Board is legally and financially responsible for the GRLI Foundation.  The Support Centre runs the operation of the GRLI Foundation and supports coordination of the GRLI. The Guardian Group works, on behalf of the Council of Partners and with the Support Centre and the Board to uphold the vision, mission and operating ethos of the GRLI and to ensure all three elements are actively supported, acted upon and visible in the GRLI and in all related activity.

Rumina Dhalla

Chair of the GRLI Guardians - Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, University of Guelph

Ana Simaens

ISCTE Business School

Jeff Thies

Loyola Marymount University

Armand Bam

Stellenbosch Business School

Paulo Alves

Paulo Alves

Católica Porto Business School

Guardian Group Purpose:

  • Uphold and guard the values and guiding principles of GRLI on behalf of the Partnership
  • Help steward the core inquiry of the GRLI within and beyond the GRLI Partnership not only in words but also through action
  • Contribute to the overall good governance of the GRLI by co-designing and co-facilitating transparent and robust processes to ensure Partner representation in the Governance structures of the GRLI
  • Support the design and facilitation of Council meetings (e.g. the AGM) or GRLI gatherings to encourage an involved, active and influential Partnership
  • Identify and develop new Partnership and Associate Partnership candidates which includes working with the Support Centre to review applications
  • Identify, encourage and help monitor emerging impact initiatives within the GRLI

Guardian Group Principles:

The Guardian Group operates within and helps uphold the overarching values, vision, mission and guiding principles that apply to all Partners.  As Guardians of the GRLI representing the entire Council of Partners (not only their respective Institutions) the Group also agrees to work:

  • Collaboratively and out of a peer based approach
  • With openness and transparency both within the Group and the GRLI Community
  • With a willingness to challenge and be challenged
  • To freely contribute to the development of the GRLI, the Council of Partners and the development of Global Responsibility.

Board of Trustees

The GRLI is governed legally as a Foundation established under Belgian law. The board of the Foundation has primarily a fiduciary responsibility relating to the proper management of resources entrusted to the community and the functioning of the Support Centre.

Peter Møllgaard

Chair of GRLI Foundation

Rumina Dhalla

Chair of the GRLI Guardians - Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, University of Guelph

Dayle Smith

Dean - Loyola Marymount University (Partner Board Member)

Hanna-Leena Pesonen

Dean - Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics (Partner Board Member)

Sanjay Sharma

Grossman School of Business, University of Vermont (Partner Board Member)

Raul Villamarin Rodriguez

Vice President - Woxsen University (Partner Board Member)

Wayne Visser

By invitation

Claire Maxwell

Immediate Past Chair

Michael Winter

Co-President - oikos international (Strategic Partner Board Member)

Lily Bi

President and CEO - AACSB International (Strategic Partner Board Member)

Eric Cornuel

Director General & CEO - EFMD (Strategic Partner Board Member)

Carol Adams

Carol Adams

By Invitation

Alfons Sauquet

Director Quality Services & EQUIS - EFMD Global (Strategic Partner Board Member)

Stephanie Bryant

EVP and Global Chief Accreditation Officer - AACSB International (Strategic Partner Board Member)

Audit Committee

Stephanie Bryant

EVP and Global Chief Accreditation Officer - AACSB International (Strategic Partner Board Member)

Philip O’Regan

Professor: Financial Reporting & Formed Dean Kemmy Business School

Carol Adams

Carol Adams

By Invitation

Governance Committee

Peter Møllgaard

Chair of GRLI Foundation

Sanjay Sharma

Grossman School of Business, University of Vermont

Dayle Smith

Loyola Marymount University

The GRLI Centre

The GRLI Centre comprises the Executive Director and a small team of part-time and volunteer staff. The Centre has the responsibility to monitor, act on, coordinate and see that GRLI’s work is being executed in an ethical, efficient and effective manner by resources internal or external to the GRLI community. The Finance administration is provided by EFMD Brussels.

To do this, the Centre endeavours to provide enabling servant-leadership to the community. This approach is not the traditional logic of a member-organisation where the organisation primarily exists to deliver a service to the members. The GRLI is a community of Partners and Associates and as such the focus of the Centre is on the vision and mission of the GRLI as a global community where responsible action is led by committed partners and allies.

Anders Aspling

Founding Secretary-General

John North

Associate with executive responsibilities

Claire Maxwell

Associate: Facilitative Approaches and Governance

Darija Miletic

Associate: Ecosystem Stewardship

Mareta Strydom

Associate: South Africa Office

Adolphe Komeza

Accounting (DEG&Partners - Belgium)

Tahmina Jahan

Associate: Communication (UK)

Advisors

The Advisors Group consists of appointed individuals that are deeply connected to the discourse and practice of Global Responsibility or have significant institutional memory of the work of GRLI and relationships with the diverse constituents of the Global Responsibility movement. Members of the Advisors Group fully and demonstrably support the work of the GRLI and align with its agreed direction and strategy.

Nick Ellerby

Florencia Librizzi

By Invite

Nicola Pless

By Invite: GRLI Independent Associate

Fellows & Former Advisors

Henri- Claude de Bettignies

China Europe International Business School

John Alexander

President - Independent Associate

Philippe de Woot

GRLI Fellow (1930 - 2016) - GRLI

Liliana Petrella

Rob Widing

Mary Godfrey

Bettys & Taylors Group

Arnold Smit

University of Stellenbosch