S&O Purpose Day 2025 - The third edition
Participate
We are delighted to invite you to the third edition of the HEC S&O Purpose Day, hosted by the HEC Paris S&O Institute Purpose Center and the Oxford University Saïd Business School Centre for Corporate Reputation on February 11, 2025, at the prestigious Hôtel de l'Industrie, 4 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006, Paris.
This year’s theme, “Corporate Purpose: Navigating Dissent”, brings a unique focus on the tensions that challenge purpose-driven organizations. Throughout the day, we’ll examine how companies can foster authenticity and trust as they address internal and external pressures. We’ll explore the role of dissent in shaping a credible corporate purpose.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Oxford Union Debate - For or Against? "Purpose commitments are a management distraction and destroy shareholder value"
- Research & Practice Dialogue — Dynamic exploration of recent research on corporate purpose, highlighting the intersection of theory and practice with our keynote speakers:
Vanessa Burbano
Sidney Taurel Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School and pioneering researcher on employee behavior
Marie Ekeland
Entrepreneur and investor, Co-founder of Daphni, Founder and CEO of 2050
Florent Menegaux
CEO of Michelin, sharing insights on purpose-driven leadership in today’s complex business landscape
PROGRAM
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. – Welcome Coffee
2:45 – 3:00 p.m. – Opening Remarks by Rupert Younger & Rodolphe Durand
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. – Keynote Address by Marie Ekeland
3:45 – 4:15 p.m. – Research Grazing & Networking Break*
4:15 – 5:00 p.m. – Keynote Address by Vanessa Burbano
5:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Research Grazing & Networking Break*
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Oxford Union Debate – “This conference believes that purpose commitments are a management distraction and destroy shareholder value.” with Tim Kuhrcke (Managing Director, BCG Brighthouse), Josip Kotlar, Seungah Sarah Lee, Georg Wernicke, Hilary Hoyt, Alan Morrison
6:30 – 7:00 p.m. – Research Grazing & Networking Break*
7:00 – 7:45 p.m. – Fireside Chat with Florent Menegaux, Rodolphe Durand & Lisa Baudot
7:45 p.m. – Concluding Cocktail
The event will feature a lineup of academics from HEC Paris, Oxford University, and POLIMI Graduate School of Management, including:
Lisa Baudot, Associate Professor of Accounting, HEC Paris
Rodolphe Durand, Founder of the S&O Institute & Academic Director of the HEC S&O Purpose Center
Josip Kotlar, Associate Dean for Strategic Projects, POLIMI Graduate School of Management
Alan Morrison, Professor of Law & Finance, Oxford University Saïd Business School
Seungah Sarah Lee, Assistant Professor of Management & Human Resources, HEC Paris
Rupert Younger, Founder and Director, Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation, and Chair of the Enacting Purpose Initiative
Georg Wernicke, Dieter Schwarz Foundation Chaired Associate Professor of Strategy, HEC Paris
and a selection of high-potential young researchers like:
Pauline Asmar, Doctoral Candidate, HEC Paris
Coco Can HE, Doctoral Candidate, HEC Paris
Hilary Hoyt, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Oxford University Saïd Business School
Luca Manelli, Junior Assistant Professo, POLIMI Graduate School of Management
Kevin Miner, Doctoral Candidate, Oxford University Saïd Business School
Chiara Pantalena, Doctoral Canadidate, POLIMI Graduate School of Management
Andrew Montandon, Doctoral Candidate, HEC Paris
Alexander Rustler, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Oxford University Saïd Business School
I BOOK MY SEAT
PREVIOUS EDITIONS
If you missed the last 2024 edition...
THE CENTRAL ROLE OF CULTURE IN PURPOSE-BASED BUSINESS
2024 Purpose Day Report
Over 200 leaders from various sectors gathered to discuss actionable strategies for embedding purpose within organizations. A key takeaway? Effective governance must be complemented by a strong culture to make purpose truly transformative.
Have a look to previous editions: plenary and workshop sessions, interviews,...
PARTNERSHIP
The event is co-chaired by Rodolphe Durand, the co-founder of the S&O Institute and the Academic Director of the S&O Purpose Center, and Rupert Younger, the Founder and Director of the Oxford University Saïd Business School Centre for Corporate Reputation, and Chair of the Enacting Purpose Initiative (EPI).
Our heartfelt thanks for the support of the Joly Family Chair in Purposeful Leadership and its many individual donors and the Forvis Mazars "Purposeful Governance" Chair.
CONTACT
For more information about the event, please contact Iiris Sacchet: sacchet@hec.fr
We look forward to this inspiring and exciting day!