Black Corporate Board Readiness
Empowering Black Excellence in Corporate Governance
Black Corporate Board Readiness (BCBR) is an executive certificate program designed to advance the representation of qualified Black leaders in corporate governance and strengthen the pipeline of executives prepared for corporate board service.
BCBR welcomes executives from all backgrounds and identities, regardless of race, color, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
The program is designed for executives with significant enterprise-level strategic, operational, financial, or organizational responsibility, including C-suite executives, Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs), Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs), Global Heads, and leaders serving in comparable executive-level roles, as well as founders and entrepreneurs who have built, scaled, or led organizations of significant scope.
Applicants must have at least 10 years of qualifying senior executive leadership experience at this level. Eligibility is based on executive-level tenure and scope of responsibility, rather than total years of professional experience or progressive leadership.
Participants should demonstrate a commitment to advancing Black representation in corporate governance and an interest in pursuing public, private, or other significant corporate board opportunities.
BCBR at a Glance
BCBR alumni are extending their leadership into corporate boardrooms across industries and sectors. With more than 200 public and private corporate board seats secured by BCBR alumni, their impact reflects the experience, perspective, and governance leadership they bring to board service.
Michael Crome, MBA
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Las Vegas Raiders
BCBR Cohort 7
“Many board roles do not appear in job postings. They come through relationships and through people understanding the perspective you bring.”
Board Service:
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles Branch
Selena (Saunders) Cuffe, NACD.DC
Chief Growth Officer
Blackstone Consulting
BCBR Cohort 8
“Selena brings decades of experience that include high-profile leadership roles in rapidly-growing companies. Her wide range of growth experiences and executive decision making across a range of industries will be a tremendously valuable asset to the One Power Board.”
Board Service:
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles Branch
One Power Company
Chimene Liburd, MD, MBA, FACP, CPE
Chief Medical Officer
Department of Health Care Finance, District of Columbia
BCBR Cohort 14
“I am charged with helping to advance the organization’s mission of increasing students from communities underrepresented in medicine and supporting the next generation of physicians and physician scientists. Through my participation in the Governance, Executive Compensation, and Development committees, I look forward to bringing my strong organizational leadership, resource development, and sound board oversight to help position National Medical Fellowships for continued impact and growth.”
Board Service:
National Medical Fellowships
The BCBR Experience
BCBR prepares accomplished executives to navigate the realities of corporate board service. Through live, interactive executive education, participants learn directly from experienced corporate directors, governance experts, senior executives, and practitioners who bring real-world boardroom perspectives to the program.
The curriculum develops board readiness across critical dimensions of corporate governance and directorship, including:
- Corporate governance and the role of the board
- Director duties, fiduciary responsibilities, and liability
- Strategic, risk, cybersecurity, and AI oversight
- Boardroom dynamics, influence, and decision-making
- Corporate responsibility and governance
- Board positioning, executive presence, and personal branding
- Navigating the board search and interview process
- Building relationships and networks that support board service
Participants apply these insights throughout the program as they strengthen how they position, articulate, and present their experience for corporate board opportunities.
Explore the Curriculum → | Apply to BCBR →
Minimum Eligibility Requirement
Applicants must have at least 10 years of senior executive leadership experience at the following levels:
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C-suite executives (CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CHRO, and comparable roles)
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Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs)
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Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs)
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Global Heads or comparable senior executive positions
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Founders and entrepreneurs who have built, scaled, or led organizations of significant scope
Qualifying experience must demonstrate significant enterprise-level strategic, operational, financial, or organizational responsibility.
Please note: The 10-year requirement refers specifically to experience at the qualifying senior executive level, not total years of professional experience or progressive leadership experience. Executive titles and responsibilities may vary across organizations; applicants are evaluated based on both their leadership level and scope of responsibility.
Board Opportunities & Placement: BCBR prepares executives for corporate board service through executive education, mentorship, board positioning, and access to a corporate governance community. BCBR is not a board placement, recruiting, or executive search organization and does not guarantee referrals, introductions, interviews, or board appointments.
Program Eligibility & Selection Criteria
In addition to meeting the minimum senior executive experience requirement, applicants are evaluated on the following:
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Enterprise-Level Leadership: Demonstrated responsibility for significant organizational strategy, operations, financial performance, enterprise risk, or organizational outcomes.
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Board-Relevant Expertise: Professional expertise in areas relevant to corporate board oversight, including finance, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, human capital, operations, supply chain, strategy, legal, marketing, technology, and other disciplines.
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Governance Experience: Experience serving on nonprofit, private-company, advisory, public-sector, or other governance boards. Prior corporate board service is valued but not required.
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Corporate Board Readiness: Demonstrated strategic perspective, executive judgment, leadership maturity, and interest in contributing effectively to corporate board service.
Selection Process
Admission to BCBR is holistic and competitive. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirement does not guarantee acceptance.
Applications are evaluated based on qualifying senior executive tenure, scope of enterprise responsibility, professional expertise, governance experience, board readiness, and the overall composition of each cohort.
BCBR welcomes applicants from corporate, nonprofit, public-sector, and entrepreneurial backgrounds who meet the program's executive leadership requirements.
Program Differentiators
Individualized Mentorship
Each participant receives individualized mentorship from experienced leaders who serve on public and/or private company boards. Mentors provide practical perspective on board service, governance, board positioning, and navigating the path to corporate directorship.
Experienced Corporate Directors and Governance Experts
Participants learn from sitting corporate directors, Santa Clara University faculty, senior executives, governance experts, and subject matter experts who bring both governance expertise and real-world boardroom experience to the program.
Current, Board-Relevant Curriculum
The curriculum evolves alongside the corporate governance landscape, addressing established director responsibilities as well as emerging areas of board oversight, including risk, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, corporate responsibility, and other issues shaping today's boardrooms.
Board-Focused Network
Participants build relationships with BCBR alumni, mentors, corporate directors, executives, and governance leaders. These connections extend beyond the program and support continued learning, relationship-building, and engagement within the broader corporate governance community.
BCBR Alumni Community
Completion of the program provides entry into the growing BCBR alumni community, connecting participants with a network of executives committed to corporate governance and advancing Black representation in the boardroom. Alumni engagement continues through networking, continuing education, governance programming, and opportunities to remain connected to the BCBR community.
BCBR Program Fees and Logistics
Program Tuition
- General Tuition: $8,995
- Santa Clara University Alumni: Eligible SCU alumni receive a 10% discount.
- Team Enrollment: Organizations enrolling three or more participants from the same company receive a 10% discount.
- Nonprofit and Founder Tuition: $8,095
- Optional Harrison Assessment + Individual Debrief: $650
Discounts and reduced tuition rates are subject to eligibility requirements and may not be combined.
Payment
Payment may be made by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, or company check payable to the BCBR - Leavey Executive Center.
Payment Plans
An installment payment option may be available, consisting of an initial 50% deposit followed by three payments. Contact the BCBR team for payment-plan details.
Program Logistics
- Format: All program sessions are delivered virtually.
- Program Materials: Program materials are provided digitally.
- Session Agenda: A detailed session agenda will be provided approximately one week before the program begins.
- MCLA Credit: The program is eligible for 7.75 total hours of MCLA credit.
Schedule of Upcoming BCBR Cohorts
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Priority deadlines are established for each cohort. Applications received after a priority deadline may be considered for the next available cohort based on capacity.
Cohort 18 — Winter 2027
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Application Priority Deadline
December 23, 2026 -
Information Sessions
November 12, 2026 — 12:00 PM PT
December 10, 2026 — 12:00 PM PT -
Admissions Decisions
December 29, 2026 -
Program Dates
Welcome Session:
Wednesday, January 20, 2027Live Program Sessions:
- January 21–22, 2027
- January 28–29, 2027
- February 4–5, 2027
- February 11–12, 2027
- February 18–19, 2027
- February 25–26, 2027
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Format
Fully Virtual
Program dates are subject to change based on facilitator availability. Participants will be notified in advance of any schedule updates.
Cohort 19 — Spring 2027
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Application Priority Deadline
February 26, 2027 -
Information Sessions
January 14, 2027 — 12:00 PM PT
February 11, 2027 — 12:00 PM PT
March 11, 2027 — 12:00 PM PT -
Admissions Decisions
March 26, 2027 -
Program Dates
Welcome Session:
Wednesday, April 21, 2027Live Program Sessions:
Begin Thursday, April 22, 2027
Additional program dates to be announced. -
Format
Fully Virtual
Program dates are subject to change based on facilitator availability. Participants will be notified in advance of any schedule updates.
Program Highlights
BCBR provides a comprehensive introduction to the responsibilities, dynamics, and pathways associated with corporate board service. Program topics may include:
Corporate Governance & Board Oversight
- Foundations of Corporate Governance
- The Corporate Board Landscape
- Director Duties, Fiduciary Responsibilities & Liability
- Board Committees, Risk & Oversight
- Public, Private, Private Equity-Backed, Venture-Backed & Family-Owned Boards
- Corporate Responsibility in the Boardroom
- Cybersecurity & AI in the Boardroom
- Technology Ethics & Corporate Governance
- Boardroom Diplomacy, Relationships & Influence
Positioning Yourself for Board Service
- Developing Your Board Value Proposition
- Building an Effective Board Bio
- Crafting Your Board Introduction & Elevator Pitch
- Navigating the Board Search Process
- Preparing for the Board Interview
- Intentional Networking & Relationship Building
- Executive Presence & Boardroom Positioning
Inclusion, Perspective & Boardroom Dynamics
- The Case for Inclusion & the BIPOC/WOC Director Experience
- 100 Black Voices: Black Directors’ Perspectives
- Breaking the “Fit” Code
- Shifting Your Mindset for Board Service
- Navigating Boardroom Culture & Dynamics
- Wealth Creation & Financial Planning
Community
An amazing community of Facilitators and Mentors from all backgrounds and experiences has come together to make the dream of Black Corporate Board Readiness a reality and a success. Our Mentors are board directors, thought leaders, and innovators across industries, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to support our mission.
Support
Your support helps sustain and expand BCBR's impact beyond the classroom. Contributions strengthen executive education, alumni engagement, continuing education, and opportunities that connect the BCBR community to the broader corporate governance ecosystem.
BCBR offers opportunities to support both the program's current priorities and its long-term sustainability.
Black Corporate Board Readiness Expendable Fund
Supports current BCBR program priorities and initiatives.
Barry Lawson Williams Endowed BCBR Program Fund
Supports the long-term sustainability and future impact of BCBR for generations to come.
Barry Lawson Williams Endowed BCBR Program Fund
Barry Lawson Williams Endowed BCBR Program Fund
The Barry Lawson Williams Endowed BCBR Program Fund was established through the collective commitment of BCBR participants, beginning with members of Cohort 3. With an initial fundraising goal of $10 million, the endowment is designed to support the long-term sustainability and impact of the Black Corporate Board Readiness program and its community for generations to come.
Barry Lawson Williams has served on 14 public company boards and created 100 Black Voices, an initiative documenting the corporate board experiences and perspectives of 100 leading Black directors to inform and inspire current and aspiring corporate directors.
As a founding member of the BCBR Program Advisory Board, Barry has played an instrumental role in the development and advancement of BCBR. The endowment recognizes his leadership, commitment to corporate governance, and enduring investment in expanding Black representation in the boardroom.
Support the Future of BCBR
Your support helps strengthen the long-term sustainability and impact of the Black Corporate Board Readiness program and its community for generations to come.
To make a gift, use Santa Clara University’s giving form and select “Barry Lawson Williams Endowed BCBR Program Fund” under Leavey School of Business Centers and Institutes as your designation.
Give to the Barry Lawson Williams Endowed BCBR Program Fund
For questions about supporting the fund, contact bcbr@scu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior corporate board experience to apply?
No. Prior corporate board service is not required to apply to BCBR. The program is designed for accomplished executives whose senior leadership experience, enterprise-level responsibility, and professional expertise can translate to effective corporate board service. Previous governance or board experience is valued, but BCBR is specifically designed to help qualified executives strengthen their governance knowledge, board readiness, positioning, and understanding of the board opportunity process.
How are participants selected for BCBR?
BCBR is an application-based executive program. Admissions decisions consider an applicant’s senior leadership experience, scope of responsibility, professional expertise, strategic decision-making experience, governance exposure, and readiness for corporate board service. The admissions process also seeks to build cohorts with a strong mix of industries, functions, perspectives, and leadership experiences that contribute to a rich peer-learning environment.
What is the time commitment for BCBR?
Participants should plan for more than 40 hours of live, interactive virtual executive education, along with four hours of individualized mentorship and time to complete program-related preparation and activities. Because cohort schedules may vary, applicants should review the published schedule for their specific cohort before enrolling and plan to participate fully in the live sessions and mentorship experience.
How does individualized mentorship work?
Each BCBR participant receives four hours of individualized mentorship with an experienced leader who brings public and/or private company board experience. Mentorship provides an opportunity to focus on the participant’s individual board journey, including board positioning, governance readiness, professional narrative, areas of board-relevant expertise, and strategies for navigating the corporate board ecosystem. The experience is designed to complement the cohort curriculum with personalized guidance based on each executive’s background and board aspirations.
Does BCBR place executives on corporate boards?
No. BCBR is an executive education and board readiness program, not a board placement, recruiting, or executive search organization. BCBR prepares executives to pursue board opportunities by strengthening their governance knowledge, positioning, networks, and readiness for the board selection process.
Organizations may share public and private corporate board opportunities with BCBR, and relevant opportunities may be shared with members of the alumni community. BCBR does not guarantee candidate referrals, introductions, interviews, or board appointments. Board seats secured by BCBR alumni reflect the accomplishments of the executives themselves.
How does BCBR support alumni after they complete the program?
The BCBR experience extends beyond completion of the executive certificate program. Graduates join a national alumni community with opportunities for continued governance education, board-focused programming, networking, relationship-building, and engagement with corporate directors, governance experts, executives, and fellow BCBR alumni.
BCBR also shares relevant corporate board opportunities with the alumni community when appropriate and provides opportunities for alumni to remain connected to the broader corporate governance ecosystem as they continue their board journeys.
BCBR Program Sponsors
Please contact us to explore partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, and meet our wonderful BCBR Alumni.