2023 is Boardbound by Women’s Leadership Foundation’s Capstone Year

As one of the first organizations in Colorado to champion the cause of board diversity, we’ve operated as a volunteer-fueled group for over a decade. However, as our programs and goals have grown, we have realized the mission will be best advanced by other leading organizations that are well-funded and resourced.  

Therefore, 2023 served as the Women’s Leadership Foundation’s final year, with the last cohort completing the Corporate Boardbound program in September, 2023.

At the Capstone Event celebration in Septemberr 2023, Boardbound announced partner organizations they are depending upon to continue to open more board positions to women. Boardbound will make financial contributons to these organizations as a token of our appreciation for their good work. Learn more about them here.

For more than a decade, the Women’s Leadership Foundation is proud to have served as a catalyst in Colorado for helping to increase the number of women on boards through its programs and advocacy.  
Mission is to open more board positions to women in Colorado and beyond.
 
“I am grateful for the Corporate Boardbound program, and all of you. The program nudged and coached me at times where I needed it most! And you all have been the fabulous network that we all need to be successful board candidates.”
— Barbara Gutierrez, Corporate Boardbound Alumna

the Impact of our Work

Why the Work is Important

The Why behind our mission. Boards with more than one woman perform better than all-male boards.
 
“As the world around us has gotten more complex, it is critical to have diverse representation in the board room. We’re deliberate in ensuring our Board represents the communities we serve. As CEO, I’ve received incredible insights by engaging different perspectives, which leads to richer and better decision making.”
— Javier Rodriguez, CEO of DaVita

Celebrating Milestones Along the Way

60% of the Corporate Boardbound cohort participants who have graduated at least two years ago have now attained a corporate board position.

Thanks to the Many who have Supported

Shared Success with mentors, donors, alumnae, committee members, sponsors .
“While Colorado has not yet arrived, we’ve been on an impressive journey from nearly last to the middle of a rising pack. I know there’s been lots of efforts from many constituencies, but Boardbound has led this initiative.”
— Barbara Faulkenberry, President of the Colorado Chapter of National Association of Corporate Directors

There’s Still Work to be Done  

We recognize that what we’ve started isn’t finished. Colorado is moving in the right direction, but there is more work to be done to achieve gender balance on Colorado boards, particularly for women of color.  

There is great momentum and a strong sense of urgency about the need to put more time, effort, resources and capital investments into achieving these goals. We are confident that like-minded organizations, partners, Colorado companies and CEOs will embrace the work we started. 

With 2023 as our capstone year, we are committed to the full delivery of our programs and to engaging all of our stakeholders to make as much progress as possible in this final year. We’re also committed to providing continued support for organizations carrying this work forward, as well as resources and alternatives for women in the community interested in similar programs beyond 2023. 

Partners who are Carrying on the mission

Boardbound by Women’s Leadership Foundation is making financial contributions to partner organizations who are carrying on the work of advancing board diversity. Here they are:

  • Latino Corporate Director Education Foundation—grows the supply of Latino C-Suite executives prepared for corporate board service and lead with research-based reports and thought leadership. Latina/os are one of the most underrepresented groups on boards. This gift will help carry forward the mission of Boardbound’s Latinas in the Boardroom initiative.

  • Him for Her—engages businesses and partners with 100+ leading private equity and venture capital firms to connect the world’s most talented “Hers” to board service. Women are significantly underrepresented on private company boards with less than half the representation of public company boards. Him for Her has partnered with Boardbound for years with Boardconnect and Corporate Boardbound Alumnae.

  • Spark the Change—believes in the power of bringing individuals, nonprofits, and corporations together to become changemakers. Spark the Change has participated in Nonprofit Boardbound program and will continue to support effecctive diverse nonprofit boards. Over 85 women have participated in Nonprofit Boardbound.

  • Colorado Women’s Chamber Foundation—advances women in work in Colorado. The Chamber Foundation will continue the “Women on Colorado Boards: State of the State” research study to track the proportion of women as board directors of Colorado’s public companies which has been conducted since 2011. Measuring progress is key to making progress.

  • National Association of Corporate Boards Colorado—empowers directors and transforms boards to be future-ready. NACD Colorado has included Corporate Boardbound participants in their programs for years and many of their members have been mentors of the Corporate Boardbound program.

  • Leaderboard—is a national network of member organizations focused on the advancement of women to the boardroom. Boardbound by Women’s Leadership Foundation has been a member for over a decade and benefitted from learning best practices from other regional organizations who share our mission. Leaderboard has supported our Boardconnect program.