Quotes and Backgrounds

Interview Quotes: "Not-for-profit board service provides value as to what happens in the boardroom." "Need to be careful not to dive into operational issues." "Should be clear about what value you can add and make your board intentions known."

Interview Quotes: "Boards are primarily looking at how you think strategically, i.e. how you will provide a perspective that they do not have." "Boards also want to know your set of values because you as a board member will be representing other people's money." "To get the best outcomes for people, you need the best people at the table."

Interview Quotes: "The secret to board service is doing a great job especially in your first board." "Each person in the boardroom is selected for different reasons." "No group has a monopoly on wisdom. No one is expecting any one board member to have every skill." "Become well known in your professional role."

Interview Quotes: "Diversity is the key to innovation and handling of risks." "Important to sit on the Nominations and Governance committee." "Consider private boards if you are focused on value creation opportunities."

Interview Quotes: "Boards keep finding people who look just like themselves." "Often you can make more of a contribution at the committee level." "You get the best innovation when you involve people bringing diverse points of view." "Make boards live up to the diversity commitments they made."

Interview Quotes: "Did a lot of work to get on the radar screen of search firms but first boards came from referrals." "No one comes into a board knowing everything." "Being attuned to changes in demographics is something every company must be attuned to." "Things that get you on a board do not necessarily get you into a position of leadership." "For diversity we need to calibrate ourselves for a long path, not a short one."

Interview Quotes: "Leading a very complicated institution led to me getting on my first board." "Should be interested in private equity and venture capital backed boards." "A good board member keeps that bright light between management and governance." "Excellence in performance will transcend all artificial barriers."

Interview Quotes: "When thinking about your first board, make sure you're jazzed about the company, the industry." "Her strategy was to be engaged, be prepared, and ask relevant questions." "Believe that quietly, companies will continue to recruit diverse candidates. The good news is there's more of us in the rooms." "Search firms must first be diverse enough amongst themselves and be included enough where they can source candidates. They are used more to clear candidates than to find them."