Women's Corporate Board Readiness

"Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception."

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Organizations with women in leadership positions perform better. They surpass others in social responsiveness, sustainability, and financial performance. Recent evidence also indicates that companies with female board members are more successful than those without women, a key concern for organizational competitiveness. As a participant in our program, you will prepare yourself for your chance to make an impact on the modern business environment. #ITSTIME to close the gender gap in corporate governance.

This program features faculty who are highly successful women with board experience, and expertise in their chosen field. #ITSTIME to build your network with other high-performing accomplished, and ambitious women and develop your own personalized action plan to seek and obtain a board directorship that aligns with your personal brand and values.

Two women talking. One is holding a cup of coffee and the other is holding a file open.

Learn About Governance

Theresa Strickland standing in front of projection board with a presentation on it.

Marketing Yourself

Three women sitting in a row. The middle woman is facing the camera. The woman on the left is talking.

Mentorship and Coaching

Learn the essential legal, regulatory, and operating knowledge you will need to serve on a board of directors, and at the same time connect with, and learn from, women who have achieved success as board members.

Join The Silicon Valley Executive Center For The Women's Corporate Board Readiness Program

#ITSTIME to take your seat at the board table

This highly interactive course will use case studies and experiential sessions to prepare you for directorship and start you on the path to being a sought-after candidate.

A man and woman looking down at documents on a desk

#ITSTIME to have a voice in corporate governance

Expand your ability to evaluate board opportunities based on your values and learn to communicate effectively in the language of boards, and gain critical knowledge and skills you will need to be effective.

Program Advisory Council

8:30 A.M. – 5 P.M. PT

Day 1

Governance in the Modern Business Environment
Explore the essential knowledge you will need to serve on a board of directors. What are the current challenges impacting the boardroom?

Applied Ethics on Corporate Boards
Learn how ethics is a key component of corporate board management and the ethical responsibilities of directors in today’s modern governance environment.

Entrepreneurial Finance for Board Members
An alternative to non-profit for corporate boards

Being a Woman on a Board
Navigate the workplace. Learn how to engage with other board members and develop your influence and persuasion skills.
8:30 A.M. – 5 P.M. PT

Day 2

The Courting Process: Mutual Selection
Learn what board recruiters are looking for in a candidate and what they will see as your strengths. Explore what strategic career choices you should consider to position yourself for directorship.

Marketing Yourself
Work through your own brand components. Learn how marketing yourself as a potential board member is different from seeking an executive position.

Lunch & Men's Panel Conversation
Minimizing gender bias on a board and in the workplace.

Purpose and Power: Why Women on Boards
Look beyond the numbers at the new narrative. Prepare by knowing your competencies and values.
4 Week Break

During the break, you will spend a total of 4 hours with your coach and can split your time up as you see appropriate. You and your coach will begin working on your one on one advisory session with season board members. During this time period, we offer 2 Webinar Sessions: Finance through the Board Lens and Managing Authority Bias
8:30 A.M. – 5 P.M. PT

Day 3

Finance through the Board Lens
Learn how to detect red flags and read between the lines in financial statements.

Transformational Leadership and Competing Commitments
Learn the real reason why people and organizations are immune to change and how this impacts your journey in seeking directorships.

Preparing Your Board Bio, Resume, and LinkedIn Profile
8:30 A.M. – 5 P.M. PT

Day 4

The Gender Gap Crisis
Digging in: What is our current reality around gender equality in the boardroom, how did we get here, and why is it important to understand?

The Role and Responsibilities of Board Membership
Understand committees, time commitments, and all of the functions of the board.

Negotiating Your Comp Package
Learn foundational components of negotiation skills, and how they apply in the courting process.

Present Yourself to Advisors
Each woman will have the opportunity to talk about her brand, background, and aspirations with a set of advisors. Advisors will then ask questions and give feedback.
After the Program

You will receive ongoing support after the program through quarterly meetings with fellow Women's Corporate Board Readiness alumnae.

Registration Information

The program is open to executives with extensive senior leadership experience or equivalent span of control (e.g., CEO or GM), as well as executives who have successfully built and sold companies, and who are interested in public or private corporate board service.

Here's everything you need to know about becoming a WCBR member.

Program Dates - October 5, 2022
General Attendee Registration - $7195.00
Non-Profit Fee - $6475.00
Teams of 3 or more from the same company receive a 10% discount.
SCU Alumni receive a 20% discount
Optional: Harrison Assessment and Debrief add-on - $650
Payment can be made via credit card (Amex, Visa, Mastercard) or via Company Check payable to the Silicon Valley Executive Center.

Logistics:

This course is eligible for 7.75 total hours of MCLE credit
A detailed topic agenda will be available one week prior to the start of the program.
Program materials will be provided in digital format.

For more information email Theresa Strickland: tstrickland@scu.edu