Your Corporate Board Journey: Advice from Sheila Ronning, CEO & Founder of Women in the Boardroom
I’m often asked what it takes for women to get a seat at the corporate board table. Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of women navigate this journey, and while each path is unique, there are key strategies that will help you succeed. Here’s my advice to guide you toward your boardroom goals.
Start with Your Network
When it comes to landing a board seat, networking is non-negotiable. I encourage you to make a list of people in your network—especially those who are influencers and connectors—and start reaching out. Nurture those relationships, as they are often the key to taking the next step in your career or landing a board role. You can learn more by watching our recorded webinar on our proven process called How to Network Yourself Into a Corporate Board Seat.
Think you don’t have a network? Trust me, you do. Many women I’ve worked with felt the same way, but I helped them uncover the strong connections they already had.Networking for your board seat does not mean that you need to attend events and meet with 50 new people a month. It’s about being intentional and strategic. If you’re unsure where to begin, I am a great resource to utilize in helping you figure out who those people are!
Understand the Skills Boards Are Looking For
Over the years, boards have expanded their search beyond financial experts to other areas including: Technology, Risk Management, HR – Talent Management, M&A, Global experience, Sales & Marketing and Operations. This has evolved even more recently to include areas like artificial intelligence, cyber security, supply chain, healthcare, and medicine. Consider what uniquely qualifies you for board service and identify opportunities that match your skills.
Don’t Rely Solely on Recruiters
While recruiters can play a role in board searches, they fill less than 15% of board seats. This is why networking is the most important strategy you can adopt. At Women in the Boardroom, we teach a strategic networking process designed specifically to help women secure board seats. And while we’re not a search firm, we do share corporate board opportunities exclusively with our program participants. Even though we are not a search firm, we receive countless board seat openings throughout the year.
Start Early and Stay the Course
It’s never too early to start your journey to the boardroom. Women should understand their skill sets, recognize what boards are looking for, and proactively address any gaps while they have the opportunity. The ideal time to begin preparing for a corporate board seat is while still employed, but it’s important not to wait too long after retirement.
That said, the journey to your first board seat takes time. Experienced directors say it can take three to five years to get on your first board. They also point to the need for persistence and patience in pursuing this opportunity. Several of our members have gotten their seat at the table much faster; some members have gotten on boards within a few years of joining while others have landed seats within a couple of months of becoming a WIB member! It’s important to remember that you will have to do the work and be committed. If you are not willing to dedicate a minimum of five hours per month to the process, it may not be the right time for you. There is no easy road to the boardroom, but we are here to help.
Supporting Experienced Directors in Expanding Their Boardroom Impact
Currently, 60% of our members are serving on corporate boards. Experienced board members come to us to help them expand their boardroom skill sets, tweak and add to their board documents, guide them on future board campaigns, learn how to work their network to gain another board seat, and to stay in-the-know about timely boardroom topics and corporate board openings.
Non-Profit Boards: A Smart Starting Point
Non-profit boards can help you on your path to the corporate boardroom if:
- It’s a large non-profit
- It’s a well-run board with good governance
- You’re passionate about their mission
- You take a leadership role
- You know what the expectations are for both the time commitment & financial
The Importance of Board Documents
It’s important to know that board documents are not the same as a resume/CV or a marketing bio. These documents highlight your background for board positioning and are needed to provide board search leaders insight into the value you could bring to their board. We help women prepare their board documents and identify what makes them uniquely qualified for board service. Our members tell us that our team has been invaluable in helping them to create a noteworthy board bio.
The Rewards of Board Service
Serving on a corporate board is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. It’s not just intellectually stimulating—it’s financially rewarding, too. Board service sharpens your leadership skills, expands your professional network, and gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by guiding companies toward better performance.
If you’re ready to learn more, I’d love to continue the conversation. Feel free to reach out to me directly.
Sheila Ronning, CEO & Founder, Women in the Boardroom.
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