We hope you enjoyed the Path to the Boardroom guided learning experience. Here are some frequently asked questions that we hear often from members that relate to landing a board seat. If you still have any unanswered questions please reach out to our Member Success Team by clicking on the gold chat icon in the bottom right corner of your screen when logged into Athena
Should I get a board directorship certification, such as the certification from the NACD?
Athena has worked with over 1,000 board directors, CEOs, and investors, and never has one asked for a certification as part of a board selection process. Certifications will not help you land a board seat, but they can help you be a stronger board member. Even better than a certification, is an ecosystem like Athena that offers ongoing learning through a combination of right-time conversations, live events and on-demand content, and coaching. Athena is designed to get you to the boardroom and ensure you succeed in the role in an ever changing world.
Is it worth taking an advisory or observer board role?
Yes, there is value in being a board advisor or board observer.
As a board observer you are getting exposure to the boardroom. You’ll learn more about how the board functions and gain experience interacting with the board. And, others will see how you advise and participate as you are invited to do so. It’s terrific for the right type of relationship building toward your goal to be a voting board member.
As a board advisor you’ll develop your skills as an overarching steward of business, and expand your network of people who will be able to speak to your abilities and think of you for future opportunities.
Is non-profit board experience valuable for Corporate Board Service?
There are many functions of a non-profit board that cross over to a corporate board and while non-profit board service may not be recognized as a stepping stone to corporate board service, there is a tremendous amount that can be learned from non-profit boards. Given that large non-profits have a similar structure to public companies, sitting on one of these boards can help to prepare you for public board service. Non-profit board experience is also a great opportunity to gain experience raising funds. And, prominent non-profit boards are often comprised of members who serve on commercial boards as well. Those members will see you in action as a board member, and be more likely to recommend you to commercial board openings they influence or hear of.
Can I pay someone to find me a board seat?
Yes, some of our members have told us that for about $200k you can engage with firms like James Drury. Typically this is a one-off fee, paid upfront to the firm. They will create a detailed profile on you, so that they can market you and advocate for you. Athena is not an authority in this area, so it would be wise to do your own research as structures and pricing evolve.
I’ve been working toward a board seat for a few years. I’ve applied to several board opportunities without success and I am starting to feel like I’m never going to land a board seat. Should I give up?
It is not at all uncommon for it to take years to land a board role. Do not get discouraged. If this is something you really want, keep at it. Consider getting some coaching periodically from Athena coaches, and reach out to our Member Success team, through the gold chat icon at the bottom right corner of your screen, and ask them to help you make connections that will move you forward.
In this blog post, Athena Founder and CEO, Coco Brown addresses what you need to know about rejection and the journey to the boardroom.
How does the path to landing your first board seat differ from the ones that follow?
When striving for your first board seat, boards will consider your operational experience and how you can translate that as an effective director in the boardroom. Once you have served on a board you should include your board experience with any committee assignments and a brief description. It’s important to note that in addition to your board experiences, being the right cultural fit is something boards will also be looking at.