The Academy for Values-Based Governance is a comprehensive development programme for Non-Executive Directors within values-driven financial institutions. It is designed to empower board members to reach their governance excellence and amplify their influence in embedding values throughout their organisations. This programme equips directors in values-based banks with essential tools to oversee and navigate through times of uncertainty and organisational complexity.
Our learning experience
Governing Boards of values-based organisations require a different set of attitudes, skills, insights and levels of determination. Governance at the highest level is critical to ensuring values are truly integrated into the strategy on all levels and have an impact on day-to-day business.
This programme has been developed by the Institute for Values-Based Governance (IVBG) in partnership with the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV). It aims to support and strengthen Boards of values-based financial institutions that are members of the GABV.
The Academy for Values-Based Governance is a school of thought where leaders learn and build their own path through applying values-based criteria to strategic decisions of their institutions. We draw on thought leaders, practitioners and participant experience to achieve our aims.
A mixed
methodology
The programme uses a blended approach, combining 23 hours of virtual sessions over 4 months with 1.5 days of in-person engagement during the GABV Annual Meeting.
Short lectures (15-30 minutes) and fireside chats
Facilitated online conversations with experts on cases and best practices
Pre-reading/ Pre-Viewing material
Personal development projects with peer-to-peer review
The course best-practices booklet
Individual mentoring (4 hours in 2 sessions)
Key goals
Understand how Board members in values-based institutions have a different role to play and objectives to serve.
Being able to express the unique perspectives of values- based institutions and make the learning actionable.
Host generative and compelling dialogues with stakeholders and executive directors.
Understand the dilemmas that need to be reconciled when working across cultures, ownership structures, business approaches and social conventions.
The programme
The Academy has four modules. Three of them are online and the last one in person.
Each online module consists of 2 sessions of 3 hours. The themes and presenters for each module will respond to the goals of the programme and the objective of each module.
PRE-SESSION
What do we mean by Values-Based Governance
- Getting to know each other and programme explanation
- Trends in Values-based Banking and Challenges in today’s world
MODULE 1
Working with a Values Approach in the Board
Emerging Realities in Relation to Values-Based Governance:
- Foresight and Systemic Challenges
- Values-based Banking and Consequences for (Board) Governance
Integrating Values-Based Banking into Board Management:
- Stakeholders’ Engagement and Ownership Models. The Role of the Board
- Values in the Business Model of the bank and the oversight Role of the Board
MODULE 2
The Enhanced Role of Individual Board Members
Values and the Board Member (more than a technical role):
- Personal values in relation to the Mission of the bank
- Personal values and Board Engagement
Transition and succession and the guidance of the Board:
- Values in Pivotal Moments and Transitions
- Sustaining values in Leadership Succession
MODULE 3
Values-Based Strategy Creation & Stewardship
Connection and Dilemmas (the role of the Board):
- Making the connection between Mission & Strategy explicit
- Sustaining Values & Business Strategy. Identify and unpack dilemmas
Keeping a Values-Based Strategy in Motion:
- Monitoring and adjusting a Values-based Strategy – Integrated dashboard
- Keeping the Mission in Moments of Truth – Case reflections
MODULE 4
Values-Based Governance in Action
- Beyond your institution – Part of a Movement (what is the bigger picture?)
- A case study that combines programme themes and has strong personal relevance
for the individual Board member - Case Clinics
- Closure – The Future of Values-based Board Governance and participants’ personal
challenges
“Participating in the Governance Academy came at a moment of profound crisis in our country. The learning empowered us to reaffirm values-based governance as a pillar of resilience and social responsibility. It has reinforced our commitment to ethical leadership across the Bank.”
2025 Participant
“The Governance Academy was a powerful, comprehensive experience. From the online modules to the in-person engagement, each element offereddeep insight into values-based leadership and governance. The global exchange of ideas and the practical tools I gained will continue to shape my role as a leader committed to people and planet.”
2025 Participant
Special faculty guests & thought leaders
Sanjay Khanna
Chief Futurist, SK Futures
Anita Braha
Board Member, Vancity
Steve Round
Co-Founder, SaaScada
John Fullerton
President & Co-Founder, Capital Institute
Tamara Vrooman
President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority
Laurie Spengler
Founder and CEO, Courageous Capital Advisors and Board member, BRAC Uganda Bank
Ugo Biggeri
Founder, Banca Etica and Europe Regional Representative, GABV
Karen Maas
Founder and Academic Director, Impact Centre Erasmus and Member, Sustainable Finance Lab
Selim R.F. Hussain
Ex-Managing Director & CEO, BRAC Bank
Jaap Winter
Partner, Phyleon Leadership & Governance
James Vaccaro
Founder & CEO, RePattern
Ken LaRoe
CEO, Climate First Bancorp and Executive Chairman, Climate First Bank
The people behind
the Academy
Peter Blom
- Former CEO and Co-Founder of Triodos Bank
- Founder and former Chairman of GABV
- Co-Founder and Co-President of the Sustainable Finance Lab
Marcos Eguiguren
- Former Executive Director, GABV
- Associate Provost, UPF Barcelona School of Management
- Member of the Board of different companies (including Triodos Bank)
Tom Cummings
- Board Counsel, Curator and Academic Professor
- Senior Advisor, GABV
- Board, Tällberg Foundation
- Chair, BLab Europe
Lucia Urteaga
- Co-founder and Director of Strategy and Governance, NGO Enlazando
Participant profile
Board Members in GABV Banks
Non-executive directors (NED) and Chairs of GABV banks and supporting partners.
Potential and New Directors
Potential non-executive directors (NED) of GABV banks and on boarding course for new NED.
Other Financial Institutions
Non-executive directors and Chairs of other financial institutions in which mission and values are key drivers.
Regulators
Very selectively, regulators that want to understand the distinctiveness of governance in values-based financial institutions.
“With over 30 years in commercial banking, my experience with the Academy was eye-opening. It aligned deeply with my institution’s mission of transforming lives, emphasizing people, planet and profit— in that order. I gained practical tools, global insights and renewed purpose as a Board Chair.”
2025 Participant