James White has served on 18 public and private company boards over 20 years. He emphasizes the importance of being a great listener, asking quality questions, and doing the most impactful work outside the boardroom by engaging with management. White advises aspiring directors to be clear about how their skills align with a board’s needs and to avoid interviewing as if it were an operating role.
White believes the percentage of Black women directors will increase significantly in the next five years, while gains for Black directors overall will be more moderate. He sees the post-George Floyd period as somewhat different from past waves of diversity efforts, with more discussions around systemic racism occurring in boardrooms.
To increase minority representation, White advocates for Black directors to introduce high-potential candidates across their networks and for the creation of more opportunities for underrepresented candidates to interact with nominating and governance committee members.
Reflecting on his own legacy, White hopes to be remembered for his work outside the boardroom in creating pathways for better governance and greater diversity. This includes his nonprofit, Directors Academy, and support for organizations like Black Women on Boards. Within the boards he has served, White takes pride in the executives he has mentored and the policies he has helped shape to promote diversity in the boardroom and C-suite.
