Women on Boards: Getting On and Adding Value
Program Overview
Date: May 12–15, 2027
Location: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA
Certificate of Specialization eligibility:
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.
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
- Get practical, real-world advice and information that you can use the moment you finish the program
- Opportunity to learn from accomplished women board members, renowned Harvard faculty, and leading experts in board compensation, legal and regulatory requirements, and board recruitment
- Professional networking with fellow executives
- Career-enriching experience in a small, personal setting of no more than 50 participants
- Development of individual action plan to use immediately
This program aims to introduce the process of joining a board to those who have minimal or no experience with boards.
Participants in this course will be highly accomplished professionals from healthcare 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 healthcare sector and beyond, including: corporate, venture, startup, private equity, and large nonprofit boards.
This program sells out, so please apply early.
From Our Alumni
“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
Program Details
All Times are Eastern Time (ET).
| Sunday, May 3, 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5:30–6:45 pm | Virtual Introduction & Alumnae Panel | Monday, May 4, 2026 |
| 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 Harvard Faculty Club | |
| 6:15–8:15 pm | Program Reception | |
| 6:30–8:00 pm | Dinner at Harvard Faculty Club | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 |
| 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.
Current faculty, subject to change
Beth I.Z. Boland
Vice Chair
ESG Practice
Foley & Lardner LLP
Former Chair
Securities Enforcement and Litigation Group
Foley & Lardner LLP
Pamela F. Lenehan
Director
New Residential Investment Management
Director
ATN International
Laurie Samuels Pascal
Senior Lecturer on Health Management
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Ivan A. Pirzada
Principal
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Steven Van Putten
Managing Director
Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC.
Ellen M. Zane
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management
Department of Health Policy and Management
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
CEO Emeritus, Tufts Medical Center and Tufts Children’s Hospital
Tufts Medical Center
May 2026
Hilton Garden Inn Boston Brookline
700 Brookline Avenue
Brookline, MA 02446
TEL: 617-935-0077 FAX:
$295/night + 11.70% tax
This Hilton property is located in the heart of Brookline, just a 15 minute walk or a hotel shuttle to the Longwood Medical Area where the Leadership Program is held. Featured amenities include an indoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, restaurant, and a bar/lounge
A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a reduced rate until April 4, 2026. These rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be advised that hotels in the Boston area can sell out very quickly. We recommend making your hotel reservation as soon as you receive registration and payment confirmation. Please mention group code Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to receive the special rate.
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.
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.
Certificate of Specialization
Earn a Senior Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization
Take this program to earn a Certificate of Completion, or take 3 to earn a Certificate of Specialization. Learn more here.
