Working to increase the percentage of women on corporate boards in Washington
About
OnBoarding Women is a program sponsored by business leaders in the Seattle region from Perkins Coie, Madrona, Deloitte, and Spencer Stuart that is committed to increasing the representation of women on public company boards in Washington State. Progress is happening. Since the program started in 2014, the representation of women on public company boards in Washington State has grown from 14% to 29%.
OnBoarding Women offers practitioner-led education on corporate governance issues and fosters meaningful connections within the business community. The program is open to women with the interest and experience to be considered for nomination to a corporate directorship. Participants share and acquire the knowledge necessary to become effective board members, have the opportunity to network with their peers, and are introduced to a cadre of sitting public company board members who serve as mentors, accelerating their readiness for board service.
Success Stories
Board Appointments
Board of Directors, Boundless Immigration
January 2023
Board of Directors, Clearwater Paper Corporation
October 2022
Board of Directors, Advanced Clean Energy Storage, LLC
September 2022
“Attended my first board meeting today - so grateful for the OnBoarding Women program for making me infinitely more prepared. Thanks for all you do to make it the amazing success it is.”
Jenne Pierce
Board Member CIE Tours International, OnBoarding Women Class of 2020
“The OnBoarding Women Program gave me the confidence to put myself out there. With the education and support, I knew I was ready to serve, and put myself in a situation to be asked. I am quite certain I would have missed the opportunity to serve on the MultiCare Board if I had not participated in this program.”
Joanna Monroe
Board Member MultiCare, OnBoarding Women Class of 2018
“I am beyond excited about the T-Mobile board appointment. Thanks to the entire team at OnBoarding Women and a special shout-out to Liane Pelletier (program mentor)! I heard great things about the program and was excited to be part of the 2019-2020 cohort. This board ready training and mentoring is best in class and prepared me for my board nominations. There are a lot of factors at play with board nominations but I can tell you that OBW accelerated my journey to the boardroom.”
Bavan Holloway,
Independent Board Member T-Mobile, OnBoarding Women Class of 2020
“Utilizing these relationships will be powerful in the Seattle business community over and above the main purpose of board development.
Developing board ready women is invaluable to breaking down the barriers to entry…I feel ready to search for board opportunities and to serve on boards.”
Leila Kirske,
CFO, 98point6, OnBoarding Women Class of 2017
“Participation in the OnBoarding Women program was a key component of my board journey. Practical guidance on corporate governance and board readiness and the connection with other board ready women and business leaders were foundational to my success.”
Vanessa Pegueros,
Carbon Black, OnBoarding Women Class of 2017
Nominate & Recruit
OnBoarding Women provides practitioner-led education on corporate governance issues, builds meaningful connections in the business community, and is open to women with the interest and experience to be considered for nomination to a corporate directorship.
Participants share and gain the knowledge needed to position themselves effectively for board placement, have the opportunity to network with their peers, and are introduced to a cadre of sitting public company board members who serve as mentors to accelerate participants’ readiness for board service.
Nominations are accepted year round for the program, which runs from September through March. Each class, consisting of approximately 30 women, is selected for their likelihood to be appointed to a public board based on their skill set and experience. Additionally, the selection committee strives for a representative balance of industries.
If you are seeking a board member please email OnBoardingWomen@perkinscoie.com