Nonprofit Boards: Leveraging Your Experience for Corporate Board Success
As the year 2024 winds down, many individuals and businesses are rallying to support their favorite charities – whether through volunteering, donating, or fundraising in these final weeks. According to the 2023 M+R Benchmarks Report, Giving Tuesday and December 31 stand out as crucial fundraising days for nonprofits. But for those of us who dedicate […]
Your Elevator Pitch for Boards: 3 Common Mistakes Made
One of the crucial first steps in preparing for a corporate board career is developing a compelling elevator pitch that clearly articulates your unique value to boards, which you can use when engaging with people of influence. Reflect on all the times you’ve connected with your contacts—whether in person, over the phone, or via video […]
How do I get on a Corporate Board?
The number one question I get asked in my role as a professional advisor and mentor to senior professionals is, “How do I get on a corporate board”. Over the years, through my work with corporations, recruiters, consultants, and board members, I’ve developed a framework that has consistently led to successful outcomes. Here is my […]
How Aspiring Board Members Can Develop These 10 Attributes
Over my many years of working with board members, I have discovered these 10 attributes that they possess. Here is a list of them and how you can build them either on boards, in your current executive or consulting roles. 1. Collaborative Mindset 2. Clear Understanding of Governance vs. Management 3. Relevant Expertise and Experience […]
CHROs on Corporate Boards: A Strategic Evolution
In the dynamic world of corporate board recruiting, a subtle yet profound shift has occurred over the past 10 years: the rise of Human Resources (HR) directors to board positions. According to data taken from BoardEx, the representation of former Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) on S&P 500 boards has skyrocketed from a mere 3% […]
Uncommon Advice for Networking
Calling all Aspiring Board Members in their 20’s and 30s!
I receive a lot of outreach from people in their 20’s and 30’s who are ambitious and want to be on boards. They ask me, “How can I prepare to be on corporate boards right now, so I am an attractive candidate in the future?” and “What skills or experience can I obtain now, to […]
The Role of the Non-Executive Director (UK)
What Does a Non-Executive Director (NED) Do? If you are actively seeking a Non-Executive Director (NED) role a very good place to start is to remind yourself of the role and responsibilities. Without this knowledge you cannot decide what you bring to the role, and writing a board CV or bio will be an impossible […]
For Networking: Think outside the Boardroom
Networking for Board Roles Isn’t as Straightforward as You May Think. I often hear from individuals struggling to advance their board careers despite extensive networking efforts. They spend their time at networking events, meeting new people, and targeting other board members, yet they see little progress. While connecting with other board members can provide valuable […]
What is a Board Observer?
A board observer is someone who has the right to attend and participate in board of directors meetings and receives all the same information as board members-including meeting minutes. However, unlike actual board members, a board observer doesn’t have the power to cast a formal vote on any issues that come up for a vote. This board […]