Hanke Lange has specialized in board effectiveness and good governance for the past 25 years. He has advised more than 250 executive boards across nearly every sector of society and has worked with over 150 supervisory boards.
As a board advisor, Hanke is frequently involved in top-level evaluations within organizations and institutions—often in cases of imbalance or crisis, particularly regarding the functioning or effectiveness of the executive board (EB) and its interaction with the supervisory board (SB).
He conducts national studies on developments in Behavioral Governance, such as the 2024 Board Member Survey and the 2025 Supervisory Board Member Survey. Central questions in these studies include:
- How do executives and supervisory board members assess the increasing intensity of internal supervision
- What are the principal and practical concerns executives and board members have regarding the growing influence of the supervisory board?
- How do they assess the qualities of the members and the chair of their supervisory board?
Hanke is affiliated with several academic masterclasses for supervisory board members.
He is also the author of the bestseller "Uit het goede hout gesneden" (Cut From the Right Wood), which explores key issues such as:
- What is the relationship between the quality of executive leadership and organizational performance?
- Which (f)actors determine the credibility and scope of action of a board member?
- How can executives and board members optimize their working relationship?
As a supervisory board member, he has contributed in particular to:
- Supervising vision development, strategic direction, and organizational development
- Overseeing governance models and risk management
- Supporting the board in its role as employer and sounding board
He is known for his nuanced and independent judgment, energetic approach, and constructive collaboration.