Key Impact Points:
- Julia Binder, Professor of Sustainable Innovation at IMD, is a global thought leader in sustainable business transformation.
- Her upcoming book, The Circular Business Revolution, translates circular economy theory into actionable business strategies.
- As Director of IMD’s Center for Sustainable and Inclusive Business, she helps companies integrate sustainability into core business models.
A Leader in Sustainable Business Transformation
Julia Binder is a leading voice in sustainable business innovation, recognized on the Thinkers50 Radar 2022 list. She serves as Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Business Transformation at IMD and directs the Creating Value in the Circular Economy program. Her work bridges sustainability and business, guiding executives in integrating environmental, social, and economic impact into their strategies.
Driving Business Toward Sustainability
As Director of IMD’s Center for Sustainable and Inclusive Business, Binder leverages IMD’s expertise to help companies navigate the transition toward sustainability. She emphasizes that for businesses to drive meaningful change, they must undergo a fundamental transformation themselves.
“Businesses have the power to shape a sustainable future, yet to enable such profound transformations, they themselves need to change – and it is no exaggeration to say that this transformation is by far the biggest organizational challenge of our time.”
Despite criticism of corporate contributions to sustainability challenges, Julia Binder believes businesses must leverage their scale to combat environmental degradation and social inequalities.
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The Circular Business Revolution
Binder’s upcoming book, The Circular Business Revolution (Pearson, 2024), co-authored with Manuel Braun, explores how companies can move from linear to circular business models. Through real-world case studies, the book outlines actionable strategies for businesses to integrate circular economy principles while maintaining financial viability.
Academic and Industry Influence
Julia Binder holds a PhD with summa cum laude honors from the Technical University of Munich, where she focused on sustainable entrepreneurship. Her research covers circular and regenerative business models, sustainable business transformation, and digital sustainability, with publications in journals such as Harvard Business Review and Academy of Management Review.
At IMD, she teaches across executive programs, including the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and Leading Sustainable Business Transformation (LSBT). Before joining IMD, she was Deputy to the Vice President for Innovation at EPFL, where she spearheaded the Tech4Impact sustainability initiative.
Julia Binder continues to shape the future of sustainable business, driving innovation that balances profitability with positive environmental and social impact.
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