• Distinguish the governance roles, responsibilities, and expectations of directors across public company, for-profit, venture-backed, private equity-backed, and not-for-profit organizations 
• Apply a board-level mindset to strategy, financial oversight, risk, executive performance, succession, and compliance while maintaining the appropriate boundary between governance and management 
• Evaluate the legal, fiduciary, operating, and regulatory responsibilities of board members and recognize practices that support effective oversight 
• Define and articulate a distinctive board value proposition by connecting your skills, experience, perspective, and values to an organization’s needs 
• Assess board opportunities based on mission and purpose, business model, culture, board and management dynamics, reputation, strategic priorities, and expectations of directors 
• Develop a targeted approach to board service, including candidate positioning, a board bio or resume, networking strategy, due diligence, and an individual action plan 

• Gain practical, real-world guidance on both securing a board role and contributing effectively once appointed 
• Learn from accomplished women board members, renowned Harvard faculty, and leading experts in board recruitment, executive and director compensation, and legal and regulatory responsibilities 
• Strengthen your understanding of governance, strategy, financial and risk oversight, board-management boundaries, and effective board culture 
• Clarify and communicate your board value proposition and strengthen your approach to board bios, resumes, networking, and candidate positioning 
• Learn how to evaluate potential board opportunities through mission alignment, business model, culture, reputation, board dynamics, strategic priorities, and director expectations 
• Explore real governance challenges and decisions through practitioner insights, panels, and case-based discussion 
• Build professional relationships with fellow executives in a small, highly engaged setting of no more than 50 participants 
• Develop an individual board action plan that you can put into practice immediately

This program aims to introduce the process of joining a board to those who have minimal or no experience with boards.

Women on Boards: Getting On and Adding Value is designed for highly accomplished women executives and senior professionals from health care and related industries who are seeking positions on boards of directors or preparing for future board service. Participants should have proven business acumen and executive-level experience. At least 10 years of broad-based management and leadership experience is required, including substantial budgetary oversight.

The program is particularly valuable for those with minimal or no formal board experience who want to understand the path to board service, strengthen their readiness, and identify where their skills, experience, and perspective can add the greatest value. The program addresses board opportunities across the health care sector and beyond, including public and private companies, venture-backed and startup organizations, private equity-backed companies, and large not-for-profit organizations. 

This program sells out, so please apply early.

Laurie S Pascal (Program Director)

Senior Lecturer on Health Management

Ellen M. Zane (Program Director)

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management

Current faculty, subject to change

This program also contributes to the Senior Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization. While each program can be taken independently, completing multiple courses in our portfolio earns the Certificate of Specialization.