Bruce Gordon grew up in Camden, New Jersey with college-educated parents who were public educators. His father impressed upon him the importance of keeping his options open when choosing a career. After majoring in liberal arts and struggling academically at his nearly all-white college, Gordon took a job at Bell Pennsylvania because it allowed him to return home and offered the most money. He was driven by a sense of purpose to advance Civil Rights and make positive change for African Americans.
Gordon’s first corporate board role on the board of Southern Company came about serendipitously after he gave a well-received speech at a conference. He was attracted to board roles because he thought it would help him become a better executive, allow him to offer value with his experience, and give him influence to shape policies benefiting the black community. He took board service seriously, preparing thoroughly for meetings.
Gordon recommends that aspiring board members confidently bring specialized expertise on day one. He believes board service now requires greater time commitments and risk than in the past. Gordon feels that excellence in one’s day job is imperative, that opportunities can arise unexpectedly, and that treating everyone respectfully enables you to build relationships that lead to board roles. He sought to fulfill his board responsibilities while advancing diversity, which he links to better company performance.
