Faced with increasingly complex oversight challenges and demands for greater transparency, how can today's boards do more for their companies? In this board of directors education program, you will gain a deeper understanding of the board's responsibilities in areas such as financial resilience, strategic direction, executive compensation, and regulatory compliance. 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.

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

Summary

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

Key Benefits

This 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.

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 efficient governance processes
Make the most of each board member's time, knowledge, and experience
Contribute more meaningfully to corporate oversight activities

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

Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives 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 efficient governance processes
Make the most of each board member's time, knowledge, and experience
Contribute more meaningfully to corporate oversight activities

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives 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.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Reaffirming and Broadening Perspectives

Challenge the way you think about board strategies and practices.

Read His Story

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Who Should Attend

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

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Reaffirming and Broadening Perspectives

Challenge the way you think about board strategies and practices.

Read His Story

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Learning and Living at HBS

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

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, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests 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 how the most successful boards are addressing their challenges.

Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

What You Will Learn

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

Designing the most effective structure, composition, and processes for your board
Identifying the personal qualities and characteristics needed in the boardroom
Providing constructive feedback to one another and to the board's leaders

Proactive governance and risk mitigation Proactive governance and risk mitigation

Ensuring that your company complies with relevant regulations and laws
Preparing for unexpected events and crises, such as activist takeovers, accounting fraud, environmental disasters, and cybersecurity threats

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

Designing the most effective structure, composition, and processes for your board
Identifying the personal qualities and characteristics needed in the boardroom
Providing constructive feedback to one another and to the board's leaders

Proactive governance and risk mitigation

Ensuring that your company complies with relevant regulations and laws
Preparing for unexpected events and crises, such as activist takeovers, accounting fraud, environmental disasters, and cybersecurity threats

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

Baker Foundation Professor and John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration, Emerita

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

Guhan Subramanian

Harvard Business School:

H. Douglas Weaver Professor of Business Law

Harvard Law School:

Joseph Flom Professor of Law and Business

HBS Unit:

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets

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

Baker Foundation Professor and John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration, Emerita

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

Guhan Subramanian

Harvard Business School:

H. Douglas Weaver Professor of Business Law

Harvard Law School:

Joseph Flom Professor of Law and Business

HBS Unit:

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets

Read Full Bio

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Africa

13%

Asia Pacific

15%

Europe

15%

Latin America

Middle East

49%

North America

5%Africa

13%Asia Pacific

15%Europe

15%Latin America

3%Middle East

49%North America

Education

Highest level attained

Education

Highest level attained

DoctorateDoctorate

GraduateGraduate

UndergraduateUndergraduate

Two Year CollegeTwo Year College

Foreign DiplomaForeign Diploma

High School DiplomaHigh School Diploma

DoctorateDoctorate

GraduateGraduate

UndergraduateUndergraduate

Two Year CollegeTwo Year College

Foreign DiplomaForeign Diploma

High School DiplomaHigh School Diploma

Participating Companies Have Included:

American Express

Kongsberg Automotive

Midwestern Oil & Gas

Prudential Capital Group

PT Telekomunikasi Selular

Qualfon Corporation

Radius Health

Shutterfly

USAA

Your Peers Expand Your Learning: Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

5%

Africa

13%

Asia Pacific

15%

Europe

15%

Latin America

3%

Middle East

49%

North America

5%Africa

13%Asia Pacific

15%Europe

15%Latin America

3%Middle East

49%North America

Education

Education

Highest level attained

Highest level attained

Education

Highest level attained

DoctorateDoctorate

GraduateGraduate

UndergraduateUndergraduate

Two Year CollegeTwo Year College

Foreign DiplomaForeign Diploma

High School DiplomaHigh School Diploma

DoctorateDoctorate

GraduateGraduate

UndergraduateUndergraduate

Two Year CollegeTwo Year College

Foreign DiplomaForeign Diploma

High School DiplomaHigh School Diploma

Participating Companies Have Included:

American Express

Kongsberg Automotive

Midwestern Oil & Gas

Prudential Capital Group

PT Telekomunikasi Selular

Qualfon Corporation

Radius Health

Shutterfly

USAA