For chief executives, breaking into the boardroom takes more than experience; it takes clarity, intention and harnessing the right relationships. This is true especially for women, who in 2024, held just 27.3% of board seats at publicly listed large- and mid-cap companies globally.
This was the backdrop for the GET on Board: Position Yourself for Corporate Board Service event held in Dallas in early September 2025.
Facilitated by YPO’s Strategic Learning Advisor, EY, and the EY Center for Board Matters, this series of regional sessions demystifies the board recruitment process.
And it’s has been a hot ticket; it sold-out in Chicago, New York and Dallas, and may see expansion across North America.
EY tapped seasoned board directors and heavyweight partners from Korn Ferry and JPMorgan for a high-impact afternoon filled with insights, networking and tangible resources designed to help women leaders better understand how they could move into corporate board service.
What are boards looking for right now?
YPO member and event co-champion Ashley McClellan noted skills in talent management, digital transformation and transactions are increasingly in demand. Event co-champion and YPO member Chantell Preston added that governance and financial expertise often rise to the top as key areas as well.
And while every board is unique, what matters most is understanding where your expertise aligns with its needs, and how to best demonstrate your value. Read on for more takeaways Preston and McClellan flagged for women leaders ready to make moves right now.
Know your why and choose your path wisely
“A lot of people have this misconception that they’ll attend four board meetings a year and then they’ll just get the money,” Preston laughs. “That’s not really the right reason to do it.”
Rather than chasing prestige or paychecks, Preston stresses that board service is about impact. Women, in particular, bring perspectives and leadership styles that research shows can improve board performance — enhancing decision-making, driving innovation and fostering more balanced governance. Studies suggest that companies with gender-diverse boards often outperform peers on profitability, innovation and risk management.
Be clear on where you can truly add value and do your due diligence to ensure the company is reputable. Preston also warns of being brought in as a “shiny new penny.” You don’t have to join any board simply because you were asked.
McClellan adds, “It’s really about being intentional, rather than just waiting to see what opportunities come to you. Step into a board role with purpose, and your perspective can help shape stronger, more resilient organizations.”
Define and articulate your brand
“You have to be able to advocate for yourself and show people that you have the ability to benefit them,” says Preston.
Clarity is currency. If you can’t name your expertise and communicate it confidently, you’re robbing yourself of opportunities.
“I always thought that speaking to historical work experience would translate to a value proposition for a board opportunity,” says McClellan. “But the discussion in Dallas was around being able to distinctively articulate what type of board opportunities you’re seeking, and how you would add value for specific board opportunities.”
Build a board-ready resume
Leaders vying for board positions have impressive titles. How can you stand out? Craft a resume that homes in on how you can best serve in a board seat.
“It is not your all-encompassing, ‘here’s everything I’ve ever done’, curriculum vitae,” McClellan says. Instead, think succinct and specific.
That means tailoring your resume for each board opportunity, highlighting the areas where your expertise aligns with the company’s needs. Whether it’s governance, digital transformation, financial oversight or talent strategy, tell them explicitly what you’ve accomplished in the past, or where you are eager to contribute in the future. Clarity and focus will make it easier for board recruiters to see your value at a glance.
Rely on your relationships
Both McClellen and Preston emphasized the power of your relationships in finding the right fit. And research shows that most board placements happen through networks, not search firms.
— Ashley McClellan share
What this means: Stop waiting and start asking. Make your interests known to people in your networks. “If people don’t know you’re looking for a board, how are they going to think about you when an opportunity arises?” asks Preston.
“An ah-ha moment for me, and this is applicable to really anyone, was that the boards that I currently serve on have very accomplished colleagues who serve on other boards as well,” says McClellan. “So now that they’ve seen my skill set and abilities, they may be great referral sources for future board opportunities.”
Harness every resource at your disposal
More than anything, the Dallas session underscored this: No one builds a board path alone. For YPO members, strategic partnerships such as the one with EY and its Center for Board Matters offers a powerful edge — board readiness tools, governance insights and access to advisers who understand the landscape.
Events like Get on Board bring those resources to life, creating space to learn and make the connections that can lead to future opportunities.
Preston and McClellan emphasized that YPO is an invaluable resource, with business networks, regional programs and curated workshops that provide members with the clarity and connections needed to reach the boardroom.
As Preston puts it, “A lot of women just didn’t know where to start. After this event, they have tactical resources and people they can tap into.”
