Outstanding Dedication

Horning Dr. Charles E. Dufault

Passing into the new decade, Business School Lausanne turns a monumental page in honoring Dr. Charles Dufault as he steps down as Associate Dean at the end of the Winter Term.

Dr. Dufault marks more than 20 years of dedication to BSL, beginning as a professor in 1989. In 2003 Dr. Dufault was appointed Associate Dean by Dr. Trevor Johnson. This newly created position landmarked the school’s growing success and need for more innovative direction.

“Chuck’s international business background and people handling skills made him the ideal person for the job, and he has made a major contribution to the continuation of the success of BSL,” said Dr. Johnson.

Business would have seemed an unlikely place for Dr. Dufault; he comes from a “medical family” – three generations. “I wasn’t interested in medicine and that was the one thing I was sure of,” Dr. Dufault said.
He aimed at an academic career and began teaching at New York University and Columbia. Research grants in artificial/machine languages and automated translation led to the challenge of adapting a trans-cultural management training program for a French computer subsidiary of General Electric in Paris and then further studies in international management.

Though his business career began with a general management post, ironically it was with a US-based medical clinic. Aspiring to work internationally, he joined GTE Sylvania, which opened his career globally taking him to North Africa and the Middle East. Since then, he’s held posts for Arthur D. Little, Philip Morris and Apple Computer as Director of Apple University Europe.

Crossing paths with ex-Philip Morris colleagues, he stumbled on a unique and rewarding opportunity – teaching at BSL and then later also in our French MBA program at sister school ESM in Geneva from 2001 through 2008. “A lot in life comes down to being in the right place at the right time. Serendipity plays its part,” Dr. Dufault said. “I had the chance of working with Paul Evans, Roger Harrison, Guy Kawasaki, Chris Parker, Edgar Schein, Peter Senge and many other great people, drafting HR strategies for 21st Century Enterprises. My students have all been exposed to Charles Handy, Peter Drucker and C.K. Prahalad.”

These experiences led him to consulting work for over two dozen companies in diverse industries, lecturing for MBA programs in some 14 countries, directing advanced management programs at INSEAD and LBS, living in Russia as an expert on World Bank and EU projects and co-authoring books for trainers which have been translated into several languages.

In being a part of BSL, the school has matched well with Dr. Dufault’s style of management training. “BSL offers a very exciting concept of practical training that fits what I believed in to really motivate business students.”
Generations of students at BSL have benefited from Dr. Dufault’s wide range of business expertise. At one time or another, he has given an array of courses on business subjects.

Experiences have been many. Yet of all the tangible changes encountered, his best memories remain in seeing students succeed in their lives and careers.

Point made with a former graduate that’s well known at BSL, current Dean, Dr. Katrin Muff. “I still remember a book that Katrin made a presentation on in my HR Management course during the 90’s,” Dr. Dufault said. “After she became Dean, I asked her if she still remembered Strategy of the Dolphin.”

Dr. Muff recalls her learning experiences and continues to appreciate the knowledge he brings at BSL. “We’re a boutique school. Our administrative staff is a small, highly effective, dynamic team. Having Chuck as a sparring partner in academic decisions has been invaluable for me during my first 1 ½ years at BSL,” said Dr. Muff.

Though Dr. Dufault leaves his duties as Associate Dean, he will continue to take an active role in joint research projects at our associated school, IUKB in Sion, where he has served the Lemania group as part-time Dean since 2005.
“I have a strong loyalty to BSL and know that it will always be a special place for entrepreneurs,” Dr. Dufault said. “I have seen a lot of people share and invest a lot of time and energy into making BSL what it is today.”

It may be said that Dr. Dufault shines brightly among the great people that have dedicated themselves to BSL for the sake of serving generations to come with real business knowledge.