Women on Boards: Getting On and Adding Value
“It gave me confidence, and also expanded my network. It gave me great feedback and guidance to think about as I continue to navigate my career.” —Beth Schmidt, Sr. Director, Omnichannel
About the Program
This program will put you on the path towards attaining a board position in health care and related industries. You will gain the competencies you need to succeed at being a first-rate board member, prepare for the challenges you will face, and gain direction, tools, and approaches for attaining a seat on a board of directors.
Program Fees
- Standard Price $4,000.00
Program Overview
Supporting Executives with Directions, Tools, and Approaches to Increase Representation of Women in Healthcare and Related Industry Boards
Gender diversity is increasingly a priority in board compositions. Women—many from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups—now hold 34% of board seats on U.S. S&P 500 companies, according to the nonprofit The Conference Board. This must-attend program equips executives with practical tools and strategies to secure board roles and drive meaningful impact. Through lessons from renowned experts and seasoned directors, participants will learn to evaluate board opportunities, communicate with confidence, navigate challenges, and contribute effectively—while advancing board diversity and mission-aligned leadership.
Some other insight you’ll gain from attending Women on Boards include the answers to questions like these:
- How much time will you devote to being a board member?
- What form does board member compensation take?
- What is the governance role of a board member versus that of a shareholder or management?
- What are the most desired board member traits?
The answers to these questions, and others, come from a curated group of experts and highly effective board members. Join esteemed faculty and participants in our two-day Women on Boards: Getting On and Adding Value program that will expand your ability to evaluate board opportunities, communicate in the language of boards, and gain the critical skills needed to be successful.
Upcoming Program Details
- Grasp the essential differences among boards of for-profit companies (including private equity and venture-backed firms) and not-for-profit organizations
- Connect to and learn from women who have achieved demonstrable success as board members
- Appreciate the legal, operating, and regulatory issues and concerns for all board members, while gaining awareness of the differences posed by company or organization structure, size and stage
- Learn the essential responsibilities and duties of board membership and leadership
- Evaluate opportunities based on mission alignment, culture, board dynamics, and strategic goals
All Times are Eastern Time (ET).
| Wednesday, May 12, 2027 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5:30–6:45 pm | Virtual Introduction & Alumnae Panel | Thursday, May 13, 2027 |
| 7:30–8:00 am | Check-In and Continental Breakfast | |
| 8:00–8:30 am | Program Orientation | |
| 8:30–9:00 am | Welcome and Introductions | |
| 9:00–10:15 am | Governance: What is it really? The Leap from Doing to Governing | |
| 10:15–10:45 am | Getting Started: Initiating Your Roadmap to a Directorship | |
| 10:45–11:15 am | Refreshment Break | |
| 11:15 am–12:30 pm | What Do You Need to Know? Executive and Director Compensation | |
| 12:30–1:00 pm | Lunch | |
| 1:00–1:45 pm | Voice from the Governance Front Line: Challenges of Making Boards Work Well | |
| 1:45–2:45 pm | The Board Recruitment Process: How Does It Really Work? | |
| 2:45–3:00 pm | Refreshment Break | |
| 3:00–4:15 pm | Communicating with Stakeholders and Shareholders: What Directors Need to Know | |
| 4:15–4:30 pm | Break | |
| 4:30–5:30 pm | CEO Panel: Selecting New Board Members to Enhance Board Effectiveness | |
| 5:30–5:45 pm | Reflections on the Roadmap: Your Considerations Along the Way | |
| 6:00–6:30 pm | Travel to Dinner Event | |
| 6:30–8:00 pm | Dinner | Friday, May 14, 2027 |
| 7:30–8:00 am | Continental Breakfast | |
| 8:00–10:00 am | Positioning for Directorships: A Workshop on Presenting Yourself | |
| 10:00–10:30 am | Refreshment Break | |
| 10:30–11:45 am | What Do You Need to Know? Legal & Regulatory Responsibilities | |
| 11:45 am–12:45 pm | For-profit & Non-profit Boards: Similarities, Differences, and Keys to Success | |
| 12:45–1:15 pm | Lunch | |
| 1:15–2:15 pm | Voice from the Governance Front Line – Making the Transition to Being a Board Member | |
| 2:15–3:45 pm | Governance Challenges Panel: Real Women, Real Experiences | |
| 3:45–4:00 pm | Program Closure |
This agenda is subject to change.
Participants in this course will be highly accomplished professionals from health care and related industries seeking positions on boards of directors. Participants should have proven business acumen and will have held executive level positions. At least 10 years of broad based management and leadership experience is required, including substantial budgetary oversight. This course is focused on boards of directors for organizations and industries in the health care sector and beyond, including corporate, venture, startup, private equity, and large non-profit boards.
This program aims to introduce the basics of board membership and the process of joining a board to those who have minimal or no experience with boards.
Credits & Logistics
All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation upon completion of the program.
May 2027
Please check back for updated information.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health will grant 1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for this program, equivalent to 16 contact hours of education. Participants can apply these contact hours toward other professional education accrediting organizations.
All credits subject to final agenda.