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    Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director
    Harvard Business School

    Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director

    Harvard Business School, Boston
    HomeHarvard Business SchoolWomen on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director
    5 daysDuration
    in-personFormat
    EnglishLanguage
    Governance & BoardsTopic

    Next Available Cohort

    Choose your preferred start date

    Nov 30 - Dec 4, 2026
    5 days · in-person · Instructor-Led · Boston Campus
    Open
    $14,500

    All-inclusive program fee

    About This Program

    Traditionally, most board appointments are made through informal networks that are especially hard for women to break into. With a focus on the critical issues facing boards today, you will learn how to approach board selection strategically and raise your profile to find your best match.


    Multi-faceted learning and the case method - We approach learning from every angle—a robust blend of faculty presentations, case studies, individual and group exercises, small group discussions, and large classroom debates. Among these formats is our renowned case method, where you'll learn to think on your feet, sharpen your analytical skills, and make critical decisions in real time. The case method puts you in the role of chief decision-maker, navigating challenges facing leading companies around the world. Arrive with an open mind—leave with a global perspective, unparalleled leadership skills, and a network of dedicated peers around the world.


    Learning groups - Immerse yourself in an environment that creates space for deep, constructive engagement with a diverse set of peers from leading organizations. You'll forge powerful connections and gain valuable perspectives in our intimate learning groups. These smaller groups within your program cohort will transform into a personal board of advisors during the program and beyond.


    Distinguished guest speakers - You will have a unique opportunity to hear from a powerful lineup of guest speakers—often the case protagonists—who share how they overcame diverse business and leadership challenges.


    One-on-one insights from Korn Ferry - After the program ends, participants have the opportunity to meet with a board leadership specialist from global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry, to further discuss their interests in corporate governance.

    Why Harvard Business School?

    Harvard Business School doesn't trade on prestige alone — it has spent over a century building a pedagogy that is genuinely different. The case method, developed and refined at HBS, means that even a three-day open program puts you in the seat of a CEO facing a real decision, not a consultant presenting a framework. If you want to be taught at, there are cheaper options. If you want to be challenged to think differently, HBS is hard to match.

    Your Profile

    • Senior businesswomen who hold positions in large established companies ranging from division head to CEO—or who are retired from such positions
    • Women in senior executive roles who currently sit on nonprofit or private boards who wish to serve on public corporate boards in any industry
    • While the program is designed for executives who identify as women or nonbinary, the program is open to all who otherwise fulfill the admissions criteria. Please view our policy on nondiscrimination for more information

    Benefits

    • Multi-faceted learning and the case method - We approach learning from every angle—a robust blend of faculty presentations, case studies, individual and group exercises, small group discussions, and large classroom debates. Among these formats is our renowned case method, where you'll learn to think on your feet, sharpen your analytical skills, and make critical decisions in real time. The case method puts you in the role of chief decision-maker, navigating challenges facing leading companies around the world. Arrive with an open mind—leave with a global perspective, unparalleled leadership skills, and a network of dedicated peers around the world.
    • Learning groups - Immerse yourself in an environment that creates space for deep, constructive engagement with a diverse set of peers from leading organizations. You'll forge powerful connections and gain valuable perspectives in our intimate learning groups. These smaller groups within your program cohort will transform into a personal board of advisors during the program and beyond.
    • Distinguished guest speakers - You will have a unique opportunity to hear from a powerful lineup of guest speakers—often the case protagonists—who share how they overcame diverse business and leadership challenges.
    • One-on-one insights from Korn Ferry - After the program ends, participants have the opportunity to meet with a board leadership specialist from global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry, to further discuss their interests in corporate governance.

    What You'll Learn

    • Examine best practices to learn how high-functioning boards drive value
    • Explore the legal and regulatory environments affecting boards
    • Recognize the gender lens—how women are perceived in the boardroom
    • Understand the politics and pitfalls of corporate networks
    • Match your skills and talents to the board's specific needs
    • Raise your among directors, founders, and funders
    • Disrupt the established lines of succession and become the winning candidate