Catalysts of Change: Success Stories from Women Pioneering Corporate Boardrooms

Thank you to Lucy Sheftel, FWSF member who provided this summary

On October 25, 2023, Financial Women of San Francisco, together with AllRise and KPMG LLP, hosted a panel discussion on empowering the corporate boardrooms, with influential women directors sharing their perspectives on serving on boards. The event took place at the KPMG offices located in downtown San Francisco and was very well attended by women from all over the Bay Area.

The panel featured a diverse range of expertise from women serving on boards of non-profit organizations, as well as on corporate Fortune 500 boards, including moderator, Donna Hamlin, CEO of BoardWise, who led a panel of remarkable women: Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, Founder of RMK group, CEO advisor and consultant board director and author, Shannon Nash, CFO of Wing (Alphabet company) who participated via audio, and Rebecca Smith, Co-Chair of San Francisco Chapter of Women on Corporate Boards and Partner at KPMG LLP.

Donna Hamlin

Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann

The event kicked off with an incredible networking happy hour before the panel discussion commenced. The panel covered a wide array of topics, such as why one may choose to serve on boards, the differences between different types of boards and reasons for serving on non-profit boards compared to private or public company boards, how to get started on finding a board seat, what panelists have learned from being on boards, the importance of networking, and tips on time management with today’s demanding schedules.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of planning one’s journey on a daily basis in order to be able to fulfill the vast responsibilities of being on a board of directors in any organization, whether it is in a non-profit or a large public company board. Panelists discussed inequities and challenges that women on boards still face, especially for those women who are managing a full-time career and serving on boards at the same time. 

The following takeaways from the panel resonated with many participants:

• Importance of engaging with your networks and keeping an open mind in order to hear about the various board opportunities – one cannot have too many friends.
• Be prepared with what you are able to offer as a board member, and what you will bring to the board table, which is very different from an executive function.
• You will become a better executive by working on a public/private company board, as it expands your capability for problem-solving.
• Do your homework before you agree to serve on any board, particularly a public/private company board– it has to be a good fit not only for the company but also for you as a board member. For a public/private company board, one needs a mix of problem-solving style and high-quality debate. Examine the style of the other board members; if all are like you, you don’t bring anything to the table.
• One has to feel passionate about a non-profit organization’s cause in order to be able to dedicate the needed time and energy to being a valuable board member.
• Time management: get things done by planning your schedule well in advance and staying extremely organized on a daily basis. If aspiring for a public company/pre-IPO board position, be prepared to be on call 24/7.