Joining a corporate board can mean making a lasting impact on companies of the future. Getting your first board seat, however, can be a challenge. The Race, Gender & Equity Initiative’s Board Diversity Network (BDN) hosted three alumni events this fall to demystify the process, particularly for women and people of color who continue to be underrepresented on corporate boards. The three events featured advice from seasoned HBS alumni on how to land a corporate board seat—including ideal skills for aspiring directors, the importance of relationships in seeking leadership opportunities, and, lastly, navigating current and future board challenges. Read on for recaps of each event. [...]

However your path to the boardroom looks, landing a seat usually takes time. Relationships, in particular, are key. The Board Diversity Network (BDN), a program of the HBS Race, Gender & Equity and Initiative, recently hosted “The Future of the Board Room” with BDN steering committee members Nisha Kumar (MBA 1995) and Kris Pederson (MBA 1991), who shared insights and recommendations for BDN members navigating their board journey. Read on for advice from Kumar, Pederson, and other alumni experts on what to consider in order to land your first board seat. [...]

The Board Diversity Network, a program of the HBS Race, Gender & Equity Initiative, shares the latest research, insights, and HBS alumni perspectives on diversity in the boardroom. We know that diversity improves a team’s collective intelligence and decision-making. But what exactly happens when a corporate board becomes more diverse? Is there a difference between when a board becomes **significantly** more diverse versus only slightly more diverse? What does it take for a board to leverage the much-needed guidance and expertise of new members? Read on for more on the link between board leadership diversity and performance. [...]

In early November, an intergenerational assembly of remarkable women convened at Harvard Business School’s campus for the HBS Women’s Leadership Summit. The two-day gathering drew out insights from alumnae who are at the forefront of today’s most cutting-edge industries. The event was bookended by panels on women’s leadership in technology and finance. [...]

This fall, HBS welcomed several generations of alumnae back to campus for the Women’s Leadership Summit. The closing panel for this exciting event brought two leaders together to shed insight on the bedrock of business and economy: money. [...]