Oluwatobi Boshoro's (GMP 15) motivation for joining a corporate board is rooted in a noble purpose. As head of digital strategy for Stanbic IBTC Bank, she wants to serve as a voice for professional women in Nigeria and combat gender discrimination in the workplace. She shares how attending the Women on Boards program at Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education empowered her to step into that role. She shares her thoughts about the program.
I believed that it would provide a big push towards reaching my lifelong goal: Serving and delivering value as a board member or director and being a voice for women in that organization.
My main goal was to understand the requirements of a board candidate and how to be a successful board member. I also wanted to gain access to a network of would-be enablers.
It helped me realign my priorities, overcome culture-based internal barriers, and prepare for the work required to deliver value. It also increased my determination to make a difference for working women.
This is my second time being part of a living group. I liked it even more this time. We were all focused on same thing and very open and supportive of one another—even after the program concluded. I felt considerably challenged, equipped, and supported by the network of women I met during the program.
The program is very valuable. It helps you develop the right state of mind, focus, and drive to be successful on a board. Experiencing the program is like lifting a thick cloud—it helps reveal new possibilities for women who live in a continent where they are largely discriminated against. What seemed like a pipe dream for me is now more real than ever.
