The information below is based on the prior program session and does not reflect potential changes to faculty and course content for future program offerings. Please consider applying to the related program.

Summary

Faced with increasingly complex oversight challenges and demands for greater transparency, how can today's boards do more for their companies? In this virtual board of directors education program, you will gain a deeper understanding of the board's responsibilities in areas such as financial resilience, strategic direction, leadership succession, executive compensation, organizational culture, risk management, and sustainability. At the same time, you will learn how to work more effectively with fellow directors and company management to strengthen governance, manage unexpected crises, and make decisions that drive long-term corporate success.

You may also be interested in the related program: Making Corporate Boards More Effective.

This program is eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate. Learn More

Summary

You may also be interested in the related program: Making Corporate Boards More Effective.

This program is eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate. Learn More

Key Benefits

This virtual corporate governance program is based on the premise that there is no one best way for boards to operate—rather, each board must develop practices that suit the unique needs of its company and management. As you examine the latest thinking on the internal function of corporate boards, interaction with management, and overall board relations, you will discover how to enhance and focus your own board's efforts. You will take away key learnings that you can apply immediately to the challenges and uncertainties presented by the COVID-19 crisis.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Strengthen the impact of your corporate board Strengthen the impact of your corporate board

Achieve trust through more positive relationships within the board and with the management team
Create more effective governance processes
Make the most of each board member's time, knowledge, and experience
Contribute more meaningfully to corporate guidance and oversight activities

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished directors from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Key Benefits

Details

Strengthen the impact of your corporate board

Achieve trust through more positive relationships within the board and with the management team
Create more effective governance processes
Make the most of each board member's time, knowledge, and experience
Contribute more meaningfully to corporate guidance and oversight activities

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished directors from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Who Should Attend

This program is designed to meet the needs of board members, chairs, and directors of publicly held companies and established companies that are planning to go public or undergo a significant transformation.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Who Should Attend

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Leaders in Virtual Learning

When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Creating a Holistic Educational Experience

Master corporate governance with three complementary programs.

Read Her Story

Youngme Moon teaching in the HBSonline studio

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

Leaders in Virtual Learning: When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Discover more about business. And yourself.Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

Creating a Holistic Educational Experience

Master corporate governance with three complementary programs.

Read Her Story

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, and small group discussions, you and your peers will explore the most important strategic and organizational issues facing corporate boards today—and consider how the most successful boards are addressing their challenges. You will emerge better equipped to address the immediate issues presented by the COVID-19 crisis as well as the enduring challenges for corporate boards everywhere.

What You Will Learn: Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, and small group discussions, you and your peers will explore the most important strategic and organizational issues facing corporate boards today—and consider how the most successful boards are addressing their challenges. You will emerge better equipped to address the immediate issues presented by the COVID-19 crisis as well as the enduring challenges for corporate boards everywhere.

Program Format

The program takes place over three days, with live, synchronous classes daily (10:00 AM to 2:45 PM ET, including two 30-minute breaks), two required welcoming sessions, and small group discussions for learning and networking. Class sessions will take place via the Zoom platform. You will also have ample opportunity for interaction with faculty and peers inside and outside the class sessions.

Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups. We advise setting aside a total of 2-3 hours per day for program work in addition to the synchronous class sessions.

Program Format

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

The board and management The board and management

Understanding the board's role and responsibilities in relation to management
Working with management to oversee company strategy
Grooming the next generation of top management

The board's internal processes The board's internal processes

Creating a successful environment for collective board functioning
Becoming a successful director as part of the overall board
Designing the most effective structure, composition, and processes for your board
Identifying the personal qualities and characteristics needed in the boardroom and ensuring board renewal
Providing constructive feedback to one another and to the board's leaders

Proactive governance and risk mitigation Proactive governance and risk mitigation

Overseeing communication with investors and other stakeholders about your company's purpose and long-term strategy
Ensuring that your company complies with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards
Preparing for unexpected events and crises, such as activist takeovers, accounting fraud, environmental disasters, and cybersecurity threats
Creating a framework for overseeing emerging issues

Key Topics

The board and management

Understanding the board's role and responsibilities in relation to management
Working with management to oversee company strategy
Grooming the next generation of top management

The board's internal processes

Creating a successful environment for collective board functioning
Becoming a successful director as part of the overall board
Designing the most effective structure, composition, and processes for your board
Identifying the personal qualities and characteristics needed in the boardroom and ensuring board renewal
Providing constructive feedback to one another and to the board's leaders

Proactive governance and risk mitigation

Overseeing communication with investors and other stakeholders about your company's purpose and long-term strategy
Ensuring that your company complies with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards
Preparing for unexpected events and crises, such as activist takeovers, accounting fraud, environmental disasters, and cybersecurity threats
Creating a framework for overseeing emerging issues

The HBS Advantage

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

Lynn S. Paine

John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Suraj Srinivasan

Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Accounting and Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

David G. Fubini

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

Read Full Bio

Krishna G. Palepu

Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration

HBS Units:

Accounting and Management

General Management

Read Full Bio

The HBS Advantage: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

Lynn S. Paine

John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Suraj Srinivasan

Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Accounting and Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

David G. Fubini

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

Read Full Bio

Krishna G. Palepu

Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration

HBS Units:

Accounting and Management

General Management

Read Full Bio

Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.

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Board Governance Comparison Chart

Compare programs at-a-glance to find what's right for you.

Learn More

Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Board Governance Comparison Chart

Compare programs at-a-glance to find what's right for you.

Learn More

View In-Person Program Offering