Robin Washington’s upbringing in a community of Black excellence and her early career in accounting and finance roles provided a strong foundation for her eventual board service. Her first board opportunity arose through a professional relationship, and she later expanded her board portfolio through connections with other board members and executives. She stresses the importance of communicating how board service aligns with one’s career goals and selecting boards where one can contribute value beyond financial expertise.
As a Black woman, Washington recognizes the importance of diversity on boards, believing that diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making and stakeholder alignment. To increase black representation on boards, she advocates for current Black directors to actively identify and sponsor talented candidates, ask challenging questions about diversity within companies, and leverage networks to support diverse candidates. Washington cofounded Black Women on Boards to provide a platform for Black female directors to network and support each other, and she highlights the need for more Black executives in C-suite positions to strengthen the pipeline for board service.
For aspiring directors, Washington advises being deliberate about board choices, building relationships with other directors, and understanding the business case for diversity to ensure its continued prioritization.
