International Directors Network (IDN) France | Fireside chat

“How to build a portfolio of board mandates while being an executive “
With Doris Birkhofer, president of Siemens France
About this Event

Evénement réservé aux Alumni INSEAD

(doors open at 18h30)

International Directors Network (IDN)
Fireside chat:
“How to build a portfolio of board mandates while being an executive “
With Doris Birkhofer, president of Siemens France

We have the distinct pleasure to welcome Doris Birkhofer, a committed Franco-German and European business leader.
She has been President of Siemens France since October 1st, 2021, and is as well Managing Director of Siemens Smart Infrastructure France. The geographical scope of both her roles also includes BeLux and the Maghreb.

After graduating from ESB Business School in Reutlingen and NEOMA Business School in Reims, she has built her career in technology companies in Germany, the United States, and then in France, where she has lived since 2009. She has held key operational and strategic roles — including executive positions — at Saint Gobain, Alcoa/Arconic, and Siemens, and has consistently advocated for industrial and infrastructure competitiveness through technological innovation, digitalization, and the energy transition.

Doris is committed to Gimelec as member of its Board of Directors.

Committed to strengthening Franco-German economic ties, she has been a member of the Supervisory Board of the Franco-German bank Oddo BHF (since 2017), President of the Franco-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2025), and a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of DEKRA e.V (2024).

Convinced that diversity is a source of strength and a performance driver, Doris Birkhofer has long been involved in promoting diversity in scientific and industrial professions. She chairs the Siemens France Foundation and supports associations such as Elles Bougent and Femmes Ingénieurs. She is also a member of the Strategic Council of Paris Université Cité (2025) and joined the Board of Directors of NEOMA Business School as an independent board member (2025).

Doris Birkhofer is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour.

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The fireside chats are intimate (30 spots only), obey to Chatham House Rules and aim to foster deep exchange and networking amongst members and with our guest.

Programme :
18h30 : Doors open
19h-20h: Fireside chat with Doris Birkhofer and exchange with the room
20h-22h: Networking cocktail

We are very grateful to Frank Zorn (MBA’08D) who welcomes us at “The Off”, an exceptional Work Club in a luxurious setting near Opéra Garnier.

IAAF Members : 50€ / Non-members 70€
This is also the right moment to renew your membership to IAAF which will allow you to join the IDN Global Club as well: Global IDN membership

Looking very much forward to seeing you on September 21st ,
Susanne Liepmann, Laurent Pasquet , Alain Deniau, Désirée El-Chebeir

IDN Global Club France chapter
Join our whatsapp group : IDN France Whatsapp Group

INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORS NETWORK FRANCE,
co-led by Susanne Liepmann (IDP-C ‘24Apr , MCCC ‘19Jun-F) , Laurent Pasquet (MBA’08D) , Alain Deniau (IDP-C’20Jun , MBA’87J) and Désirée El-Chebeir (MBA’09J))

Save the next dates:

12 Nov 2026: Pre-event Directors Forum - IDN Global Club (Paris or Fonty) details to come

13-14 Nov 2026: INSEAD Directors Forum Europe – Fontainebleau
Full day Nov 13, ½ day Nov 14. Details to come

January 2027: IDN France New Year’s Celebration & presentation of 2027 programme