Women on Boards
Prepare to take a seat at the boardroom table
Opportunities for women on boards are increasing, fueled by growing recognition of the value of diversity, evolving societal norms, and legislation requiring more gender diversity in the boardroom.
Yet securing a board position remains challenging and even when women have a place at the boardroom table, they often encounter gender-based barriers, rooted in behavioral stereotypes. If you are seeking a board role or hope to move on to a larger board, learning how to manage and overcome barriers will help you better navigate boardroom discussions.
IMD’s Women on Boards program will provide you with personalized support and essential tools for jumpstarting your board career or taking it to the next level. You will learn how to enhance your personal brand, raise your profile among executive search firms, nomination committees, and board chairs, and strengthen your leadership presence. You will be better positioned to manage the dynamics that are unique to women on boards and empowered to add value and impact to the boardroom.
The program will enable you to determine the type of board you should target, based on your profile, areas of interest, and values, and give you practical guidance on positioning yourself as a strong candidate. You will gain insights into the board selection process and examine important factors you should consider before accepting a board role.
On your journey to become board-ready, you will be supported by a dedicated team – including expert faculty, seasoned guest speakers, board readiness consultants, and experienced board members. Your personal mentor, a seasoned board member selected based on their expertise in your area of interest or region, will not only support you with calls after the program but also help expand your network for future endeavors.
Upon completion of the program, we will share your profile with Spencer Stuart – a leading executive search firm for board positions.
You can join the program for a standalone learning experience, or as part of one of IMD’s board diploma pathways.
- Craft your CV and board profile statement with the help of expert guidance. Submit them for feedback during the program.
- Review the assigned readings and videos.
- Explore what is unique to women in terms of managing power in the boardroom.
- Consider your leadership identity and learn best practices for personal branding as a board member.
- Learn techniques for showing up with power with a company of actors specialized in training leaders to communicate with greater charisma, clarity, and impact.
- Benefit from the extensive board experience of the program’s guest speaker at an off-campus networking dinner.
- Understand the importance of a first board mandate and key considerations for deciding which mandate to accept.
- Deep dive into the board selection process and gain insights from a board recruitment consultant into how to make yourself eligible.
- Reflect on your learnings and plan your next three action steps. Discuss your action plan with fellow participants and give each other fresh perspectives.
- Benefit from two follow-up calls with your mentor.
- Have your profile reviewed by a leading executive search firm for board positions.
Length: 2 days on campus
The value of diverse perspectives on boards is recognized, yet gender parity continues to pose a challenge. To overcome the gender bias that often impedes their consideration for board appointments, female candidates need to be able to compellingly articulate their fit and mobilize their networks to support their candidacies and onboarding.
IMD board diplomas
