Beginning a New Chapter in Your Career
After 34 years as an executive with Nike, Inc., Patty Ross is still looking for challenges. An accomplished innovator, she recently retired from the company to reimagine her career as a vital contributor to corporate boards. She began the process by recognizing the unique challenges facing women who aspire to join boards, and then attended the Women on Boards program at Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education. In this interview, she shares her thoughts about the HBS learning environment, the program’s content, and the importance of having a supportive community of peers.
How did you hear about this program, and why did you decide to attend?
I had a fantastic career with Nike that was gratifying and in line with the vision I have for my life. Although I retired recently, I knew that I was far from done. As a proven innovator, operator, and leader, I knew I could be a reliable addition to corporate boards. Therefore, at the recommendation of several trusted advisors and current board members, I decided to enroll in an executive program that would better prepare me for my first board appointment. Having previously attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP), I knew that HBS Executive Education was my first choice—and the Women on Boards program was the perfect fit.
Were you hoping to accomplish any specific goals?
For those who want to be involved with corporate boards, the most difficult part is obtaining the first board appointment. And for women, it is even more challenging. My goal was to equip myself with as many tools as possible in order to position myself as a competent and knowledgeable candidate for board membership.
How did the program change or influence your view of corporate governance?
Through the HBS case study approach and methodology, we were able to discuss aspects of corporate governance across industries, geographies, and cultures. I now have a greater appreciation for corporate governance principles for public companies, their boards of directors, and their shareholders. Specifically, I came away from the program with a deeper understanding of compensation and internal governance, the board of directors' responsibilities, shareholder rights, public reporting, board leadership, and management succession planning.
How did this program build on your previous experience in AMP?
As a curious, lifelong "student," I believe that the moment you stop learning you also stop growing. AMP came at a critical time in my career, when I was a developing executive. At that time, I was being asked to lead worldwide change, deliver innovative solutions for multi-dimensional problems, and transform organizational cultures. What I learned in AMP enabled me to build my professional network and continue to elevate my management skills and confidence to lead change, drive innovation, and fuel growth. When I applied to Women on Boards, I was once again at a critical point in my career, looking to take the next step into board membership. This program equipped me with the tools to contribute as a distinctive board member at any point in a company's journey, from startup to public. I now have the confidence that, as a board member, I can help any company build on its strengths and transition to the next level of performance in the marketplace—for its brand, and with its people.
Could you speak to the value of the relationships you developed at HBS?
Research shows that obtaining the first board appointment can be challenging, particularly for women. There are several reasons for this, but one of the primary reasons is the power of social networks. The Women on Boards program was strategically designed to not only address this challenge through case discussions, but to also create an environment where relationships are built. The result was a community of accomplished executives who remain deeply committed to supporting one another in the learning process and to helping one another in board placement. Since leaving the program, I meet regularly with other participants to continue our education, exposure, and advocacy.
How would you describe the program’s value to others who are considering it?
This program takes a holistic approach to helping women raise their profiles, prepare for the director role, and discuss the critical issues facing corporate boards in the years to come. Through case study analysis, expert panel discussions, presentations, and individual coaching sessions, this program provided me with the deep background knowledge I needed to become a productive board member. I left the program feeling more equipped to understand the explicit and implicit ways various boards function, the role of board members and committees, critical global issues affecting boards, best practices of high-functioning boards, and priority issues for boards.