Quotes and Backgrounds

Interview Quotes: "Make sure you have different voices around the board table." "Nonprofits can showcase what good leadership looks like in the boardroom." "The network of minorities brought into the boardroom can be very helpful." "Do not interview for a board seat as if interviewing for an operating job." "Search firms need to broaden their networks."

Interview Quotes: "First thing to look at in evaluating a company is the CEO and then ask why they want you." "Pick a board that attracts you in some way." "You are very dependent on management giving you accurate information." "You are not going to be effective if you don't have good relationships with other board members."

Interview Quotes: "Operating style in the boardroom was basically the same as on his day job. He treated the boards like a client." "If you are a public company, your customers are diverse." "There has always been a pushback regarding diversity from the people who have enjoyed board positions from the beginning." "Need some Black Directors to be less reluctant about advocating for diversity."

Interview Quotes: "Good board candidates have the ability to think at the enterprise level, beyond just the divisional level." "Board selection should focus on the quality of the CEO." "Remember you are not there to utilize all the oxygen in the room but to support/challenge management." "There may be instances where business needs push around diversity."

Interview Quotes: "Makes good sense to bring more diverse perspectives into the boardroom; when you have diverse teams, you get better results." "Important to have time and have an interest in the industry. You have to make the time to learn the space." "Found nonprofit service to be very helpful to prepare for a corporate board position." "Should serve on audit. You learn how the business operates."

Interview Quotes: "Most people do not realize the impact that Corporate America has on any community in which it's doing business." "Be a good listener. Be an active listener. Be willing to ask questions. Ask the question that someone not in the boardroom might also ask." "70% of board positions are filled based upon recommendations of existing board members." "Are we willing to have frank discussions, uncomfortable discussions about race?"

Interview Quotes: "A little push is always helpful with business." "Ha seen actual examples in the boardroom of the benefits of diversity." "Got on 1st board via a relationship." "If you are going to join a nonprofit you need to be passionate about their agenda." "Do not think going on the largest corporate board that you can get on is necessarily the best first opportunity."

Interview Quotes: "Every director has to figure out the culture of the board." "You will know when your moment is the moment." "Should provide business with advisory guidelines and not mandates." "Should spotlight the companies that do it right."