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Theresa Carter, NonProfit Leader

“I was fortunate enough to attend a planning session for BPW that was facilitate by Lea-Ann. She guided us through the steps necessary to identify our current position as an organization, our goals and how to achieve these goals. Results of this planning session will help us position ourselves in our area, and set direction for our organization to successfully move forward.”

- Theresa Carter, NonProfit Leader

Ladies…are you building your Board Resume?

Posted on Nov 30, 2023
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As the filmmakers of an impact documentary about pioneering ambition — Pioneers in Skirts®, I and the director of the film, Ashley Maria, often speak to ERG groups about ambition. We leave with a great sense of pride seeing how our work is positively affecting ambitious women and their allies.

We usually talk about how we traveled the U.S. interviewing successful women and men who provided great advice about overcoming challenges and building a career action plan.

But, when we talk about C-suite ambitions, there is one ‘behind-the-scenes’ clip that has caused a bit of a ‘ruckus’ among attendees — an interview with executive search professional, Jeff Chambers.

Jeff Chambers

In the video we ask Jeff to provide advice for a person thinking about building a board resume. How does someone prepare themselves to be qualified for a paid board seat? In this deleted scene, watch Jeff explain how to start building your action plan: Nonprofit board experience and learning Roberts Rules of Order.

Our research has taught us you must start this action plan right now. No matter where you are in your career, start today.

Chief Operating Officer, President and Board Member of Athletic Greens and the former Chief Operating Officer and President of North America for Focus Brands, Kat Cole, shared:

“If  you really are serious about gender-diverse board leadership and you want it now, (corporations) need to look one layer deeper from presidents and CEOs to get that board leader.” Kat Cole

The point she’s making here is that bias and the career obstacles that women face have made it way to difficult for enough to achieve VP+ levels…so, Corporate leadership search people…look deeper.

“On the flip-side, there are many women who say, “I don’t know how to get on boards. I don’t know how to have access.” My response to them is, “Google it.” There is no shortage of access to free webinars, group training sessions, web links, in-person regional activities that can give you at least the beginning glimpse of what it might take to get governance training, to get visibility to people who are on boards.” Kat Cole

How to get on boards? Enroll in a class that will teach —

  • Role of the Board in Public and Private Companies: Ever-changing compliance requirements. Compensation clamor. Board diversity initiatives. SEC requirements for Director qualifications. Growing corporate data security needs. Advisory boards vs. statutory boards.
  • Board Structure, Committees & Operations
  • Risks and Rewards of Board Service: What to expect as a public or private company Director. The legal risks and responsibilities for Directors. The role of D&O insurance. Director time requirements and compensation today.
  • Your Path to the Boardroom: What are boards looking for in Directors today? Where do they look for new Directors? What role do search firms play in Director searches? Identifying the specific value you can add to a board. How to pick your board targets. Getting on the “radar” of your target boards. What to expect in a board interview. What due diligence you should think about before accepting a board position. Insights and advice from experienced Directors.

“If you put yourself out there and you still feel that you’re not making the connections you need, then you might need to get a little more targeted. Seek out someone who is involved with that company at a leadership level and say, “I love your company. I love what you do. I’d love the opportunity to be considered for a board role, even if it’s an advisory board position to begin with, so that I can learn more about what you do and figure out if I’m a good fit.” Kat Cole

Pioneers in Skirts follows three teen girls on a co-ed robotics team facing an upcoming state-wide competition, a new mom fearful her pregnancy news will fault her raise negotiations, and Ashley (our director) who finds herself doubting her aspirations, even though she had been dreaming of this career her entire life.

Focusing on various elements to help make this story relatable, Pioneers in Skirts dives into the Film Industry and the Girls Who Dream Big cultural narrative while also offering People with Experiences and Facts to share and Cultural Moment clips from popular television shows and films – all to build the audience’s empathy necessary for change. Learn more about the many Pioneers we featured in our film here: https://www.pioneersinskirts.com/featuring/.