For our Inspirational Women Shaping The Future Of Business Education series we speak with Katell Le Goulven – Executive Director of the Hoffmann Institute at INSEAD
- Name: Katell Le Goulven
- Job title: Executive Director, Hoffmann Institute
- Institution: INSEAD
Katell joined INSEAD in 2018 as the founding Executive Director of the Hoffmann Institute, working to integrate sustainability into management education. Previously, at UNICEF, she founded the Policy Planning unit to analyze global trends, inform UNICEF’s strategic positioning, and lead its corporate engagement with International Financial Institutions.
Her 28-year career has been dedicated to advancing sustainability from multiple vantage points, covering; field research, policy advising, and global governance. Early on, as an agricultural economist, Katell studied the impact of microcredit on rural inequalities in Vietnam. Later, as an NGO consultant, she focused on advising biodiversity negotiations before joining the UNDP think tank, where she published books on global public goods.
“Being a generalist is a strength- to bring fresh perspectives, remain curious, and constantly seek to learn…”
– Katell Le Goulven
This led to senior roles in sustainability and global governance, including as lead researcher for the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability which produced the first global report defining the Sustainable Development Goals ahead of the Rio+20 Summit in 2012. Katell has worked with governments, including Sweden’s Climate Change and Development Commission, to integrate climate adaptation into development policies.
Her career has focused on bridging research and decision-making, designing policies and advising senior executives in international organizations and governments on sustainability. She holds a PhD in agricultural economics, an MSc in tropical agronomy, and an engineering degree.
Why do you work in education?
Transitioning to a sustainable world requires transforming social, economic, and political systems. This demands a shift in mindset to envision a world of prosperity that restores nature and the interdependence of life in it.
Learning plays a crucial role in opening mindsets – broaden perspectives, foster innovation, and design solutions for complex global challenges. It enables us to step back, consider diverse viewpoints, and rethink possibilities.
Lifelong learning is key to building a sustainable world.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work at INSEAD is leading programs that empower changemakers to scale their impact. Aligned with INSEAD’s mission – to bring together people, cultures, and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society – executive programs like the Hans Wahl Impact Entrepreneurship Programme help entrepreneurs refine and amplify their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Many participants come without prior business education and gain new insights from structured frameworks-such as those taught by Prof. Jasjit Singh-that strengthen their business models.
I have also been inspired by the power of peer learning. Impact entrepreneurs, deeply committed to their causes, rarely pause to reflect on their achievements or well-being. Our programs create a space for them to step back, share challenges, and build resilience together.
Coming from the non-profit world, I have been inspired by how business education can drive sustainability.
Please tell us about a challenge you’ve overcome to get to where you are today. What did you learn?
A recurring challenge in my career has been to not be a specialized expert. When I joined the Commission on Climate Change and Development, a colleague told me I wasn’t qualified because I lacked expertise in climate science. Later, as UNICEF’s representative on the UN Secretary General’s panel for the data revolution, I was told I wasn’t suited for the role because I wasn’t a statistician. At INSEAD, my competence was questioned once due to my lack of management/corporate experience.
Each time, these doubts triggered deep insecurities but also pushed me to work twice as hard to prove I could deliver. Over time, I realized that being a generalist is a strength- to bring fresh perspectives, remain curious, and constantly seek to learn. Now, I encourage young professionals to resist pressure to specialize just to meet expectations.
Have you ever had a role model? If yes, who? And how have they impacted your career or outlook?
I have had many! To pick one: Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, has been a role model for 30 years. I first met her as a graduate student when she taught international climate negotiations. I have admired and sought to emulate her ability to take on challenging jobs, think systemically, anticipate solutions to complex problems, engage diverse stakeholders to shape a position, and challenge institutions.
One lesson she taught me early on: Always keep one foot inside and one outside an organization. This ensures you stay connected while maintaining the ability to challenge the status quo. To this day, my conversations with her inspire and energize my professional mission.
What advice would you give to others to succeed in their careers?
- Write down your vision and values-use them to say no
- Don’t hesitate to ask for help
- Take on new challenges even if you feel only 51% ready
Interested in this series? Keep reading…