Preparing to Be a Corporate Director

One professionally dressed female and three male executives wearing suits, engaged in conversation around a table during a study session

Develop the core knowledge you need to be an effective corporate director who excels at navigating board service responsibilities and challenges.

  • Dates

    Oct 1 – 4, 2025

  • Status

    Accepting Applications

  • Format

    In-Person

  • Location

    HBS Campus

  • Fee

    $12,500

  • Application Due

    Sep 22, 2025

The program fee covers tuition, program materials, accommodations, and most meals.

Download Brochure

What does it take to succeed as a corporate director? For senior executives interested in joining a corporate board, preparation is key.  

Preparing to be a Corporate Director dives into the unique responsibilities, dynamics, risks, and opportunities of joining a corporate board. You’ll gain critical tools and insights that enhance your readiness for corporate board service and your ability to make a lasting contribution at the highest level of an organization. 

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Examine the fundamentals of corporate governance and prepare to confidently assume the role of a board director 

  • Understand key responsibilities, including legal and fiduciary duties  

  • Add value to an organization by overseeing its leadership and strategic direction 

  • Balance the demands of shareholders with those of other stakeholders  

  • Evaluate opportunities for board service and perform due diligence before joining  

  • Develop a personal strategy for integrating board service into your career or retirement 

Program Format

  • 4
    days on the HBS campus
  • 12–15
    hours of pre-program work

Case materials and a detailed schedule will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

Who Should Attend

  • Senior executives interested in serving on a corporate board  

  • Retired executives or executives preparing for retirement and considering board opportunities  

  • C-level executives who are board-facing  

  • Partners from audit or consulting firms  

  • Partners and executives of private equity and venture capital firms 

  • Nonprofit board directors who aspire to serve on corporate boards 

  • New board members who are in small and medium-sized firms 

Global Perspective

A diverse group of four executives laughing and engaging in a casual business meeting, seated around a wooden table with documents
3%
Africa
2%
Asia Pacific
18%
Europe
11%
Latin America
5%
Middle East
61%
North America

Experience

Years Worked

  • 5%

    Less than 10 years

  • 4%

    10-14 years

  • 10%

    15-19 years

  • 19%

    20-24 years

  • 23%

    25-29 years

  • 20%

    30-34 years

  • 15%

    35-39 years

  • 4%

    40 or more

Education

Highest Level Attained

  • 5%

    JD/Law

  • 2%

    MD

  • 7%

    PhD

  • 39%

    MBA

  • 18%

    MS/MA

  • 21%

    BS/BA

  • 1%

    Two Years College

  • 2%

    Foreign Diploma

  • 1%

    High School Diploma

Companies That Have Participated

  • Accenture
  • Boston Consulting Group
  • Bacardi
  • Ernst & Young
  • General Mills
  • Google
  • HP
  • J.P. Morgan
  • Merck & Co
  • Microsoft
  • Novo Nordisk
  • PwC

Teaching Team

All our executive education programs are developed and taught by a team of widely recognized HBS faculty. Many are 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

  • Headshot of Lynn S. Paine

    Lynn S. Paine

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

  • Headshot of Suraj Srinivasan

    Suraj Srinivasan

    Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration Chair, MBA Elective Curriculum

Faculty

The HBS Experience

This in-person program takes place on our storied campus where you'll live and learn at the heart of Boston's vibrant business, academic, and technology hubs.

At HBS, every detail is carefully calibrated to drive your success. Living arrangements and classrooms that spark connection. Unrivaled academic resources. And rejuvenating fitness, dining, and cultural amenities.

View of Executive Education area of HBS campus

The dedicated Executive Education area of campus features multiple classroom buildings and three residence halls around a quad

Residence hall bedroom and bathroom, with woman looking out a window

Our well-appointed residence halls feature private bedrooms, living group lounges, and courtyards to fuel vibrant discussions

Admissions

We admit applicants on a rolling, space-available basis, so you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

The selective admissions process is based on professional achievement, organizational responsibility, and the admissions criteria for each program as described in Who Should Attend. There are no formal educational requirements for HBS Executive Education programs.

Learn more about the admissions process and requirements.

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.