Quotes and Backgrounds

Interview Quotes: "If you don't let people know you're interested in board service, then people aren't going to know that you might be in the market." "Never forget that the priority is making sure you're continuing to thrive in your day job." "You have to make sure you have the right skill sets and that it's the right fit for you." "Companies have to be intentional about looking for and identifying black talent. We need to figure out how to institutionalize the development of black talent within organizations." "You have to be able to read the boardroom and understand what

Interview Quotes: "You have to earn the opportunity to be heard on your own issues." "You have to get involved in things that matter to the company, not just to you." "The boardroom is like playing in a band, you have to listen to and appreciate all the pieces." "The end game in the boardroom is not just to say something but to get done what you thought was important."

Interview Quotes: "Doesn't recall ever joining a board as a result of search although approached." "Wanted to ensure that he could add value, asked the hard questions and pushed people beyond their comfort zone." "Would not hold up domain knowledge as the most important qualification." "Race was never the only criteria." "Diversity is an imperative to get to and to sustain excellence. Diverse teams produce the best results." "You have to be perceived as always doing your homework but also as being open to your colleagues' input."

Interview Quotes: "We are overlooking quality Blacks for boards in such areas as Law and Private Equity/Venture Capital." "Black board candidates do not have the same luxury of failure as majority candidates." "Hard to position one for a board seat who has not run a profit and loss."

Interview Quotes: "Too many corporate boards today look like corporate boards of yesterday." "Search first must be made proactive in sourcing minority candidates." "Investment firms should look at the composition of their portfolio boards."

Interview Quotes: "Once you are on your first public board, everything changes. You are now a hot commodity." "It's so important to understand the difference between management and the duty of the board." "Should focus on how we get more women and blacks in the CEO seats." "Cannot jam change down people's throat."

Interview Quotes: "First board was via a personal relationship, but later was via search." "In your day job, put yourself in situations that expand your understanding of the business beyond your functional expertise." "One of the most important things that boards can have is diversity of skill and thoughts, to think about things slightly different than management." "Unlikely that you are going to get on aboard solely because of race. It's about networks and access." "Do not overly lead to get on your first board and get labeled in a certain way."

Interview Quotes: "We must live our beliefs. Ask yourself what have you done in the last year to advance diversity." "You gain credibility on your boards by your questions, being prepared, and working beyond the board meetings." "Consider board seats in private companies."