Dorte Zacho
Dorte Zacho

Passion, ownership and change
360° around

I help businesses and leaders create sustainable growth through strategic business development, effective board work, and targeted coaching.

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your business 360° around

Sustainability Business Development Board Work Speaking Coaching

Sustainability

I help companies integrate sustainability into their business strategy. From ESG reporting to green transformation, we work together to create long-term value for both the company, society, and the environment. My approach is practical and business-oriented.

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Business Development

I help companies identify growth opportunities and develop strategies that create concrete value. From market analysis to implementation, we work together to realize your business potential. My approach is practical and results-oriented, with a focus on sustainable growth and profitability.

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Board Work

My professional board experience ranges from the small local SME to large national organizations, where I bring strategic insight and operational understanding to board work. I always work to strengthen the board's strategic capacity for action, ensure good governance, and create value through constructive dialogue between the board and the executive management.

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Speaking

I deliver inspiring and insightful talks on business development, change management and sustainability. My talks are tailored to each organisation and combine theory with practical examples from my own 'experience journey'. I am happy to speak in either Danish or English and have experience with everything from smaller workshops and presentations to large conferences.

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Coaching

Through individual coaching, I help leaders develop their leadership competencies and navigate complex challenges. My coaching is based on trust, honesty, and a deep understanding of the challenges modern leaders face. Together, we work to strengthen your leadership and create results that match your ambitions.

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Sustainability - green transformation
Sustainability

Sustainable business strategy

I translate ESG, green transformation and sustainability into concrete strategies, action plans and KPIs so initiatives create measurable economic and societal value.

We work practically via short pilots and prioritized efforts: mapping the supply chain, identifying emission sources and developing circular supplier models so we can quickly validate solutions without large investments.

Together we define commercialization plans, measurement points and responsibilities so initiatives are anchored in operations and impact can be followed month by month.

  • ESG reporting and targets
  • Commercial pilot projects
  • Implementation and KPI management

Learn more via the contact form or request a short kickoff meeting.

Coaching - leadership development
Coaching

Strengthen your leadership

Individual and team-based coaching that works deeply with mindset, communication and decision-making to create lasting behavioral change and measurable results.

Programs are tailored to the organisation and combine goal-based actions, feedback cycles and reflective exercises so leaders can practice new habits in a safe environment.

  • Personal leadership development
  • Development programs for leadership teams
  • Practical tools and follow-up plans

Contact to book a meeting via the form or call +45 40 19 50 66.

Business development - growth
Business Development

From idea to profitable growth

I work with holistic business development processes where strategy, product development and sales are aligned to ensure profitable growth.

We often run short, focused pilots to validate assumptions and generate learning without large investments, then define realistic commercialisation and scaling plans based on results.

  • Market & competitor analysis
  • Commercial pilot projects
  • Action-oriented implementation

Learn more via the contact form or request a short kickoff meeting.

Speaking - conference speaker
Speaking

Inspiration for change

Bespoke presentations and workshops combining relevant theory, practical cases and exercises so participants leave with insight and clear next steps.

I adapt content, pacing and interaction to the audience — from workshops for leadership teams to keynotes for large conferences, always with practical takeaways.

  • Custom themes and cases
  • Engaging audience interaction
  • Practical takeaways for implementation

Contact for booking via the form or email.

Board work - governance
Board Work

Strengthening board performance

I offer targeted advice to boards that want to strengthen strategic impact, governance and measurable value creation through structured evaluations and facilitated strategy sessions.

Work includes board evaluations, role clarification and action plans that help boards prioritise the right topics and improve the dialogue with executive management.

  • Board development and evaluation
  • Strategic sparring
  • Risk and governance work

Contact to discuss collaboration via the form or direct email.

Board experience

Experience from board work across industries and organisations

Chair

Necto

May 2023 - present

Mental health

Chair of a charitable foundation and an innovation centre focused on mental health and pilot projects for SMEs. Focuses on governance, programme design and pilot implementation that translate research into practical solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. The initiative was founded by Velliv.

Chair

The Trade Council

Apr 2022 - present

Export

Oversees prioritisation of grants and international partnerships to promote export activities worldwide and strengthen Danish companies' internationalisation. The work combines public administration processes with business promotion to direct funding where it creates the most impact.

Committee Chair

SMVdanmark

Aug 2022 - present

Education & workforce

Chairs the education and labour committee with responsibility for skills development initiatives and aligning vocational training with labour-market needs for SMEs. Works to highlight practical initiatives, develop actionable proposals and draft consultation responses to policymakers in Copenhagen.

Board member

Teknologisk Institut

Apr 2023 - present

Science & Technology

Contributes to the institute's strategic priorities on technology and commercialisation, with particular emphasis on SME needs, technology transfer and strengthening collaboration between research environments and companies to help commercialise innovations.

Board member

Thyholm Murer A/S

Mar 2024 - present

SME - Construction

Advises on operations, project prioritisation and governance in a family-owned construction firm. Emphasises process professionalisation, clearer project delivery routines and financially sustainable growth suited to a crafts-based SME environment.

Board member

Varelotteriet

Mar 2024 - present

Foundation - Charity

Contributes to strategy, financial oversight and compliance for a foundation lottery, focusing on risk management, sustainable revenue models for distributions to charitable causes, and strict regulatory alignment and transparency.

Board member

Arbejdsgiverforeningen KA

Jan 2017 - present

Employers' association

Represents employer interests in political dialogue, labour-market issues and collective bargaining contexts. Works to improve framework conditions for SMEs and to ensure practical, business-friendly solutions in policymaking.

Representative

Ringkjøbing Landbobank

Mar 2020 - present

Bank & Finance

Member of the supervisory council with responsibility for oversight of the bank's activities, promoting good governance, local ownership and policies that support responsible SME financing and sustainable local business development.

Jury member

Årets SMV

Nov 2021 - present

Jury

Evaluates nominations in leadership, ESG and board practice to highlight outstanding SME examples and to inspire improved practices across the sector. Works to surface role models and share concrete lessons for other businesses.

Chair

BM SILO

Nov 2020 - Apr 2022

SME - Manufacturing

Chair responsible for leading organisational optimisation in preparation for the sale of a family-owned company to Den Sociale Kapitalfond. Work focused on improving operational efficiency, export readiness and embedding CSR and sustainability in the business prior to the transaction.

Chair

smv:digital

Mar 2021 - Apr 2022

Advisory Board under Ministry

Chair of an advisory board responsible for guidance on digital transformation and e‑commerce for SMEs, with practical toolkits and initiatives to increase digital maturity. Activities included design of grant-supported programmes and subsidy schemes targeting small and medium-sized enterprises.

Board member

Danmarks Erhvervsfremmebestyrelse

Dec 2018 - Apr 2022

National business promotion

Represented the SME segment in national business-promotion decisions, focusing on relevance and prioritisation of funding to ensure that resources foster SME growth, innovation and regional commercial development.

Advisory Board member

Aarhus BSS - Aarhus University

Dec 2022 - Aug 2023

Education

Advised on collaboration between university, industry and SMEs with a strong focus on commercialisation, knowledge transfer and initiatives that drive regional growth and stronger partnerships between academia and business.

Chairperson

VL - Dansk Selskab for Virksomhedsledelse

Jan 2018 - Jan 2025

Leadership association

Leads the VL27 Midtjylland network for leadership development and peer exchange. Responsibilities include organising meetings, curating relevant professional content and facilitating peer-to-peer learning among senior leaders.

Vice Chair

Fjordvang Efterskole

Aug 2020 - Apr 2025

Education - School/Youth

Vice chair with responsibility for pedagogical development, school finances and student welfare. Supports school leadership with strategic decisions to secure a safe and enriching learning environment for young people.

About Dorte Zacho

A life with a focus on practical leadership, ownership and business development.

My story – by Dorte Zacho

I grew up in West Jutland and on the small island of Endelave in the Kattegat. Two very different places, yet united by a shared set of values around community, responsibility and respect for all kinds of people. In a small local community you depend on one another, and early on I learned that results are created together and through care for one another. These values have followed me throughout my career and shape how I lead and collaborate today.

In my working life I have always chosen practical, down-to-earth solutions and said yes to opportunities that arose along the way — even when the route wasn't straight. For me, leadership is not about titles but about getting people and business to work as a cohesive unit. Positive engagement, perseverance and mutual respect form the foundation of everything I work on. My personal motto has always been: “How hard can it be — if we help each other?”.

Education and the early years

My career began after business school as an office trainee at the Customs and Tax Authority, and later I trained in finance with a merkonom qualification in accounting. I continued to build leadership experience through hands-on learning as an entrepreneur, founding and running Øster Morre Horse Boarding — caring for horses, providing riding lessons and being responsible for training stable master apprentices.

Those early years gave me practical tools and insight into the value of communication, collaboration and leadership — experiences that became the foundation for later responsibilities running a company and that continue to underpin my professional work.

The years at BM Silo

On 1 September 2009, in the midst of the financial crisis, I assumed the position of CEO at BM Silo. It was a critical time for the company, facing significant challenges. Together with employees and business partners, this marked the beginning of a demanding yet rewarding journey focused on increasing production efficiency through robotics, digitalisation, and substantial growth in export markets.

It was essential to me that this development took place collaboratively and with respect for BM Silo’s DNA, combined with a holistic approach to innovation, education, sustainability and CSR. In 2021, this journey was recognised with two awards: the “CSR People’s Prize” in Denmark and the “ADMA Transform Champion” in Belgium.

In addition, I completed executive education in strategy and leadership focusing on Business Model Canvas, LEAN, teambuilding and the role of CSR mentor (2015), as well as a masterclass on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals with Hansen & Ersbøll (2017).

Today — consulting and board work

On 1 April 2022, I sold my ownership stake in BM Silo to Den Sociale Kapitalfond and subsequently continued my career as an independent advisor and professional board member. Today, I work closely with owners and management teams in small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing hands-on advisory support, strategic development and execution of concrete initiatives. I value honest dialogue, realistic solutions and actions that create tangible impact.

Furthermore, I have completed targeted executive education within advisory services, board work, governance, risk management and sustainability: Certified advisor in S-E-A-M Entrepreneurship, University of Norway (2023). Board education, Board Education (2023). Foundation board programme, PwC Academy (2024). Course in NIS2 and cyber risk, Technological Institute (2025). Diploma programme in “Sustainable Business”, Erhvervsakademiet Aarhus (2026).

My fundamental principles

I believe strong communities and teams produce the best results, and that responsibility always beats short-term gain. I work for clear frameworks, a shared decision base and employee involvement — because people thrive when they are seen and heard, and

Contact

Let's have a conversation

I look forward to hearing about your challenges and opportunities. Contact me for a non-binding conversation about how I can help you.

Phone

+45 40 19 50 66
(Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

CVR

42760692

Account

Ringkjøbing Landbobank

Reg.no. 7670 acc.no. 3116329

Name: