Examining Differences Among Boards
After 10 years as Country General Manager at Louis Vuitton in Istanbul, Sebnem Berkol Yuceer was at a turning point. She had to choose between remaining in her role—where she was quite successful—and taking on a new challenge. At the urging of a good friend, she applied to the Women on Boards program at Harvard Business School (HBS) to help guide her decision. She shares her thoughts about the program.
Why did you choose to attend this program?
I wanted to take a break in my professional life and find ways to invest in myself—to feed my intellect, my spirit, my body, all of my senses—and to invest in the interests of other people. For quite a while, I have loved being 100 percent focused on my professional career, and I have a fantastic family that allows me to do that. But I wanted to gain a different perspective in my career, and I was looking for encouragement to make sure I made the right career decision.
How would you describe your experience in the program?
The entire experience exceeded my expectations. The program offered five-star hospitality. From day one, everything was so well organized and very clear. I found a lot of inspiration and developed new knowledge, and the program helped me realize that I have different skill sets that I can leverage.
Did the program change your view of corporate boards?
Yes and no. Boards in the U.S. are a bit different than in my country, or even the boards that I work with in Europe. Those boards are very interactive. Often, we turn back to the board when we need to make a critical decision, need additional support, or need to see the other side of a big decision. They serve as advisory boards, and work in conjunction with the senior leadership team. This program provided me with a global perspective, which strengthened my understanding of international business.
How would you describe the program's value to someone who is considering attending?
For me, one of the most valuable lessons I learned in the program was that there is diversity in the way different boards function. Another great strength of the program was the diversity of the participants. I learned so much from interacting with them and hearing their questions. Finally, the professors and the case studies were outstanding.
Since the conclusion of the program, Sebnem has joined the advisory board of Turkish jewelry brand House of Gilan.