Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director
- Dates: 27 NOV–01 DEC 2023
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $14,000
"You have to be invested not just in your success, but in the success of everybody else as well."
"You have to be invested not just in your success, but in the success of everybody else as well."
"What you take away from the program will be worth the investment of time and resources."
"What you take away from the program will be worth the investment of time and resources."
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
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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.
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Build your readiness for a board positionBuild 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 positionPursue 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 networkExpand 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
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.
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Who Should Attend
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- 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
Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.Increase your impact as a future board member.Create the community that will lead to your next board appointment.
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.
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Learning and Living at HBS
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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.
Admissions Criteria and Process
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
Answering Your Questions
Nominating Statement
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
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
Answering Your Questions
Nominating Statement
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
What You Will Learn
Through a rich learning experience that includes presentations, case studies, expert panel discussions, and individual coaching sessions, you will set the stage for success as a board member. In addition to engaging with HBS faculty, executive search professionals, legal experts, and cybersecurity experts, you will have the opportunity to exchange insights with other accomplished professional women.
After the program ends, participants will have the option to meet with a board leadership specialist from Korn Ferry to discuss their interests in corporate governance.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
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What You Will Learn
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Through a rich learning experience that includes presentations, case studies, expert panel discussions, and individual coaching sessions, you will set the stage for success as a board member. In addition to engaging with HBS faculty, executive search professionals, legal experts, and cybersecurity experts, you will have the opportunity to exchange insights with other accomplished professional women.
After the program ends, participants will have the option to meet with a board leadership specialist from Korn Ferry to discuss their interests in corporate governance.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
Understanding how boards workUnderstanding how boards work
- Exploring the legal and regulatory environments affecting boards
- Examining the roles and responsibilities of board members
- Understanding both formal and informal board dynamics
- Recognizing the "gender" lens—how women are perceived in the boardroom
- Working with and evaluating the CEO
Developing board-critical skillsDeveloping board-critical skills
- Reading between the lines of financial statements
- Leading through risk and other oversight challenges
- Making strategic and timely decisions
- Communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Managing yourself in high-stakes situations
Navigating the selection processNavigating the selection process
- Understanding how executive firms match candidates with opportunities
- Disrupting the established lines of succession
- Developing your wish list
- Becoming the winning candidate
Raising your profileRaising your profile
- Networking within your organization
- Establishing connections with elite search firms
- Interacting with CEOs to benefit from their experience and perspectives
Understanding how boards work
- Exploring the legal and regulatory environments affecting boards
- Examining the roles and responsibilities of board members
- Understanding both formal and informal board dynamics
- Recognizing the "gender" lens—how women are perceived in the boardroom
- Working with and evaluating the CEO
Developing board-critical skills
- Reading between the lines of financial statements
- Leading through risk and other oversight challenges
- Making strategic and timely decisions
- Communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Managing yourself in high-stakes situations
Navigating the selection process
- Understanding how executive firms match candidates with opportunities
- Disrupting the established lines of succession
- Developing your wish list
- Becoming the winning candidate
Raising your profile
- Networking within your organization
- Establishing connections with elite search firms
- Interacting with CEOs to benefit from their experience and perspectives
The HBS Advantage
Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as 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.
Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration
Baker Foundation Professor and John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration, Emerita
James R. Williston Professor of Business Administration
James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration
Albert H. Gordon Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
Paul Whiton Cherington Professor of Business Administration
Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration
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The HBS Advantage
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Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as 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
Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Organizational BehaviorBaker Foundation Professor and John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration, Emerita
HBS Unit:General ManagementFacultyJames R. Williston Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Accounting and ManagementJames E. Robison Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:General ManagementAlbert H. Gordon Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus
HBS Unit:Organizational BehaviorPaul Whiton Cherington Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Business, Government and the International EconomyPhilip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Accounting and Management
Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.3%Africa3%Asia Pacific12%Europe4%Latin America5%Middle East73%North America3%Africa3%Asia Pacific12%Europe4%Latin America5%Middle East73%North AmericaTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.18%Financial12%Professional Services11%High Technology10%Consumer Products9%Chem / Pharma / Bio6%Nonprofit Services5%Health Care4%Education4%Raw Materials / Energy3%ManufacturingsTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.18%Financial12%Professional Services11%High Technology10%Consumer Products9%Chem / Pharma / Bio6%Nonprofit Services5%Health Care4%Education4%Raw Materials / Energy3%ManufacturingsExperienceExperienceYears workedYears workedExperienceYears workedLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 years or more40 years or moreLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 years or more40 years or more
"You have to be invested not just in your success, but in the success of everybody else as well."
"You have to be invested not just in your success, but in the success of everybody else as well."
"What you take away from the program will be worth the investment of time and resources."
"What you take away from the program will be worth the investment of time and resources."