Developing the Next C-Suite Leaders

The Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) has the pleasure of hosting the 3rd edition of GDI Impact Leadership Programme (ILP), developed in  cooperation with IGDS. The second edition in 2025, tailored specifically for department store executives, was a resounding success, addressing the unique challenges and complexities of the retail industry.

The GDI ILP 2026 is scheduled from 20th to 23rd April 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Key Objective
To develop and prepare your next C-Level executives for their new roles.

Learning Outcomes
The ILP explore the power of the three impact leadership levels as follows:

  • WHY does our department store industry need to transform?
  • WHAT do we need to do to stay agile?
  • HOW do we act as impact leaders to proactively create our future together?

Impact Journey Timeframe

The ILP will feature 5 days on site within an impact journey of 4 months from February and June 2026, including:

  • 3.5 days on-site at the GDI Campus from Monday, 20th April 2026 – Thursday, 23rd April 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland.
  • 1.5 days on-site at the IGDS World Department Store Summit from Tuesday, 2nd June - Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Who Should Attend?
This programme is designed for high-performing senior managers with at least 5 years in the department store industry, currently at level 3 (Head of), who are ready to take on wider accountability and leadership responsibility at the C-suite level in the near future.

Programme Brochure
For a detailed overview of the programme including participant profile, impact levels and journey, GDI team, learning venues and programme fee, please click here.

Questions
If you have any questions, please contact Tanja Ineichen, Programme Director & Head of Leadership & Transformation at the GDI, via tanja.ineichen@gdi.ch or +41 44 724 62 09.

Within this programme, open to leaders of all department store companies worldwide, participants will define their impact leadership profile as an executive leader, integrate effective forward-thinking tools, and develop their full leadership potential as a future shaper by having foresight and insight, reflecting and consciously making a transformational impact.

We are convinced that participation into this programme will provide your company with excellent value and benefits.