Corporate Boardbound Workshop—July 13, 2023
Summary
The pre-reading and homework is designed to help you:
to conduct a successful search for board positions
to prepare for an interview for a corporate board position
to prepare for the September Corporate Boardbound graduation
Come to July meeting prepared to:
participate in a mock interview for one of the case study companies you selected. Please dress as you would for an actual interview with your selected company.
to reflect on the key learnings from the year-long program
Pre-Reading
Basic Preparation
Thanks to John Kelley for “Why Role Play for Interviews”. He shares tips for how to respond to questions.
“Becoming a Non-Executive Director”, SpencerStuart. For this session, pages 29-39 are most germane.
“Make the Most of Your Board Interview” by Emily Green, The Boardlist.
Optional Reading Materials—see Library
“Finding the Right Fit: Assessing First Time Candidates for Non Executive Directors”, SpencerStuart.
You may want to scan all of the resources in the Library to see which ones will be valuable to you for this workshop and going forward.
Homework Exercises
Preparing your Search Strategy Plan —Download this Search Strategy Plan document unless you already have the one you are working on handy. This plan is where you pull together everything you’ve learned through the year and develop your going forward plan. Be clear on what kind of boards you are seeking, work your target list of at least 20 companies you have investigated and believe are a good fit for you. Develop your networking plan and execute upon it, evaluating your progress monthly. Stay open to unexpected opportunities. Have your Board Bio and Board Resume up-to-date and ready to share at a moment’s notice. Practice cover letters for your target companies. Review your plan with your mentor and ask if they are willing to stay in touch if there are particular junctures where you could use their insights and coaching.
Be sure our website has your updated board bio and resume because this is what will be shared with your interviewer.
Share your Selected Case Study Cover Letter by June 28th—for the company you will interview with in our July workshop. Write a letter explaining why you are interested in their company and how you would meet their specific needs. You want to make it easy for them to see the connection between your background and expertise and what their company needs to thrive. Send to jolynne@womensleadershipfoundation.org by June 30th so we can share it along with your bio and resume with the corporate director who will conduct your mock interview at the July Workshop. Here is an example of the cover letter which Tracey Campbell customized to the needs of Avanos conveying her knowledge and interest in the company and how her qualifications fit. If you missed the deadline, you can still send your cover letter to Jo Lynne who will share it with your interviewer.
WM Technology (MAPS)—Christinne Johnson, Elisa Young, Missy Devillez, Ginger Susman, Heidi Cooley, Julie Goodrum, Camila Tobon, Karri Callahan, Deon MacMillan, Lisa Prassack
WM Technology Morningstar Report
Avanos (AVNS)—Julie Taylor, Tracey Campbell, Mary Beth Loesch, Dianne Scott, Maggie Biggs, Maria Sepulveda, Elizabeth Suarez, Tara Dunn, Melanie Margolin, Beverly Razon, Benny Samuels
Otter Tail (OTTR) —Kendall Carbone, Dena Lund, Cecelia Espenoza, Pamela Bunz, Melissa Rosas, Gloria Neal
Listen to the Earnings Conference Call of your selected case study. This is your chance to hear directly from the company’s CEO and CFO. It is insightful to see how they respond to the investors’ questions—are they straightforward or evasive? It is a great way to prepare for an interview because you get an overview of the financials and hear the hot issues, as well as get a feel for the culture of the company.
Prepare for Your Interview. We are grateful to Brenda Snyder for sharing this “General Guidelines Answering Interview Questions”. If you spend an hour reviewing this document, you will be much better prepared for your interview.
Preparing your slide for the graduation event by July 13, 2023—Write a brief, crisp statement that we will project with your photo at the graduation event in September. Here is an example:
Elizabeth Park: Software founder/CEO who helps companies scale rapidly, navigate funding or valuation events, and mentor founding teams
If you haven’t already done so, please send Jo Lynne Whiting your value statement and headshot photo. If you don’t send a photo, we will use the photo in your LinkedIn profile.
Agenda
Location: Thrive Workplace, 9200 East Mineral Avenue, Centennial, Colorado
Remote access via Zoom if prearranged.
Networking and Refreshments at 4:15
Welcome and Purpose begins at 4:30
Opening | Gloria Zamora
Mock Interviews from 4:55 to 6:15
Avanos | Conducted by Guest Directors Michael Fordyce and Sylvia Young
WM Technology | Conducted by Guest Directors Jessica Billingsley and Joe Zell
Otter Tail Corporation | Conducted by Guest Director Katherine Minyard
Feedback from Guest Directors | Facilitated by Gloria Zamora
Break
Reflections on Boardbound Journey
Overview of Program Components | Jo Lynne Whiting
Reflections from Participants | All facilitated by Gloria Zamora
Going Forward | Corporate Boardbound Team facilitated by Kate Frazier
Thanks and Closing
Graduation & Launch Event | Sue Williamson
Closing & Year-End Survey | Sue Williamson
We are very appreciative of our guest board directors and workshop facilitators who are generously giving of their time. Facilitators for this session are Polly Buster, Kate Frazier, Bill Heck, Jo Lynne Whiting, Sue Williamson and Gloria Zamora.