Where it all began

The vzw/asbl BoardCompanions was created in 2019 by a group of Belgian INSEAD alumni. Being volunteer board members in the non-profit sector ourselves, we realized that there was a large pool of business executives eager to contribute their management expertise to not-for-profit organizations (NPO). Simultaneously, we observed a high demand from not-for-profits seeking to strengthen their boards with experienced directors.  

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However, these two worlds were not connecting. We introduced “speed dates” to bridge this gap, in cooperation with the King Baudouin Foundation. We organize 2 speed dates per year, in which interested candidate board members explore cooperation with interested NPO’s. In the majority of cases, the speed date will lead to a “match” and a new Companionship. With time, we have developed more partnerships. Today, we organize the speed dates also in cooperation with Women on Board, Club L, Toolbox, the INSEAD Alumni Association, BNP Paribas Fortis and MLOZ. 

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Companionship is a personal learning journey. We share & leverage each other’s experience, we organize the learning and we develop communities of interest. We develop thought leadership in the areas which are relevant to Boards of NPO, such as governance, finance, marketing, strategy, and people. The journey also connects back to the world of business. Companions experience the sense of Purpose in NPO boards, and believe that the business world can learn from it.  Whether in a business board or in an NPO board, we believe that 'Purpose and performance start at the board'.

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Now, in 2024, we are already a thriving community of 100 Companions in Belgium. Since 2021, sister organisations have been set up by local teams of INSEAD alumni in the Netherlands and France, and more countries are working on it.

This is a beautiful journey, we hope that you will join us.

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