Viviane de BEAUFORT

Viviane de BEAUFORT is a Professor and Researcher at ESSEC Business School, specializing in European law, corporate governance, and gender studies. She holds the prestigious Jean Monnet Chair (2024–2027) and leads the European Centre for Law and Economics (CEDE). Her academic roles include directing executive programs focused on women’s leadership and empowerment. She earned a Doctorate in European Community Law from the University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and has held professorial positions since 2009. Her research explores ESG criteria in executive compensation, EU economic sovereignty, and gender dynamics in leadership. She has received notable awards, including the Legion of Honor and the Montesquieu Circle Prize.

Education: Doctorate in European Community Law (2001), Master 2 European Law and Economics (1984), and Maitrise en Sciences Politiques et Droit (1982) from prestigious French institutions. Professional roles span academic leadership, directorships in EU-focused initiatives, and advisory positions in think tanks like CERESSEC. She actively promotes gender equality through programs like Women Board Ready and contributes to editorial boards of legal and management journals.

Research interests emphasize ESG integration, EU institutional dynamics, and the impact of activist shareholders. Recent work analyzes executive compensation frameworks and gender representation in corporate governance. Her leadership extends to think tanks, NGOs, and governmental advisory boards, advocating for ethical corporate practices and EU policy coherence.

Awards include the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (2018), Chevalier du Mérite (2011), and multiple academic recognitions. Teaching focuses on EU law, governance, and gender issues, with courses like Droit et globalisation- enjeux de RSE and Lobbying en droit des affaires. She supervises theses on corporate governance and advises startups through initiatives like Generation #Startuppeuse.

Labs/Teams: Directs CEDE (focusing on EU economic autonomy and ESG governance) and leads Women Empowerment programs at ESSEC. Engaged in international networks such as the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) and the Institut du Capitalisme Responsable (ICR).