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Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director

Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director
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Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
Need Help? Contact Us:
Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Summary

Traditionally, the majority of board appointments are made through informal networks that are especially hard for women to break into. Designed specifically for top women executives, this program provides insight into navigating the board selection process and maximizing your success as a corporate director. Focused on the critical issues facing boards today, you will learn how to approach board selection strategically, raise your profile—and find your best match.

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Summary

Traditionally, the majority of board appointments are made through informal networks that are especially hard for women to break into. Designed specifically for top women executives, this program provides insight into navigating the board selection process and maximizing your success as a corporate director. Focused on the critical issues facing boards today, you will learn how to approach board selection strategically, raise your profile—and find your best match.

Key Benefits
Preparing to take your place on a corporate board means building the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that boards are seeking. This program unpacks the process of board selection to help you understand the explicit and implicit ways that boards function. You will learn how to advance your candidacy by making connections with directors, founders, funders, and elite search firms—and excel in your new role by contributing to corporate governance at the highest level.

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Build your readiness for a board positionBuild your readiness for a board position
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  • Explore how different types of corporate boards function
  • Examine the best practices of high-functioning boards
  • Gain insight into the roles of board members and committees
Pursue a board positionPursue a board position
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  • Understand the politics and pitfalls of corporate networks
  • Raise your profile among directors, founders, and funders
  • Match your skills and talents to the board's specific needs
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
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  • 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

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Key Benefits Dropdown down

Preparing to take your place on a corporate board means building the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that boards are seeking. This program unpacks the process of board selection to help you understand the explicit and implicit ways that boards function. You will learn how to advance your candidacy by making connections with directors, founders, funders, and elite search firms—and excel in your new role by contributing to corporate governance at the highest level.
Details

Build your readiness for a board position

  • Explore how different types of corporate boards function
  • Examine the best practices of high-functioning boards
  • Gain insight into the roles of board members and committees

Pursue a board position

  • Understand the politics and pitfalls of corporate networks
  • Raise your profile among directors, founders, and funders
  • Match your skills and talents to the board's specific needs

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

  • Senior businesswomen who hold positions in large established companies ranging from division head to CEO—or who are retired from such positions
  • Women in senior executive roles who currently sit on nonprofit or private boards who wish to serve on public corporate boards in any industry

While the program is designed for women executives (and will be most beneficial to those who identify as such), the program is open to all executives who otherwise fulfill the admissions criteria. Please find our policy on nondiscrimination here.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 4 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience
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We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Isabel Mahe
Building a Foundation for Boardroom Success
Increase your impact as a future board member.
Read Her Story
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Play video
Discover more about business. And yourself.Discover more about business. And yourself.
Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
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Who Should Attend

  • Senior businesswomen who hold positions in large established companies ranging from division head to CEO—or who are retired from such positions
  • Women in senior executive roles who currently sit on nonprofit or private boards who wish to serve on public corporate boards in any industry

While the program is designed for women executives (and will be most beneficial to those who identify as such), the program is open to all executives who otherwise fulfill the admissions criteria. Please find our policy on nondiscrimination here.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 4 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience
Play video
Play video
We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Isabel Mahe
Building a Foundation for Boardroom Success
Increase your impact as a future board member.
Read Her Story
Play video
Play video
Discover more about business. And yourself.Discover more about business. And yourself.
Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Previous Next

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

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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

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.
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To apply, you will submit:

  • The application, telling us about your experience, your organization, and your current responsibilities, goals, and challenges
  • A nominating statement from a senior executive with corporate board experience
To review both the application and nominating statement, download the Application PDF. You can submit your application via our online Application Form or by returning a completed PDF. When submitting the online application form, you will be asked for the email address of the individual serving as your nominating executive. That individual will receive an email with a link to an online nominating statement.

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).

Nominating Statement

To gain a deeper understanding of your background and your potential as a leader, we require a nominating statement from a senior executive with corporate board experience. To submit the letter, follow the instructions in your application.

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.
A limited number of needs-based partial scholarships are available. Participants accepted to the program may send a brief statement of need for review by the Financial Aid Committee. For more information, please contact Melissa Walawender at mwalawender@hbs.edu or +1.617.495.6266.

Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

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.

To apply, you will submit:

  • The application, telling us about your experience, your organization, and your current responsibilities, goals, and challenges
  • A nominating statement from a senior executive with corporate board experience
To review both the application and nominating statement, download the Application PDF. You can submit your application via our online Application Form or by returning a completed PDF. When submitting the online application form, you will be asked for the email address of the individual serving as your nominating executive. That individual will receive an email with a link to an online nominating statement.

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).

Nominating Statement

To gain a deeper understanding of your background and your potential as a leader, we require a nominating statement from a senior executive with corporate board experience. To submit the letter, follow the instructions in your application.

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.
A limited number of needs-based partial scholarships are available. Participants accepted to the program may send a brief statement of need for review by the Financial Aid Committee. For more information, please contact Melissa Walawender at mwalawender@hbs.edu or +1.617.495.6266.
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More Admissions Information
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.
Apply
Download Brochure
Program Finder
Need Help? Contact Us:
Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
Need Help? Contact Us:
Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
Related Programs
Preparing to Be a Corporate Director
Status

Accepting Applications

Date 15–18 MAR 2023
Format In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
Location HBS Campus