#038: Why Women are Essential to the Boardroom, with Deborah Rosati

Boardroom Bound with Alexander Lowry

Deborah Rosati is determined that others shouldn't have to experience what she did at the start of her board career.

Deborah was consistently the only female board member in the room. So she's been on a crusade the past five years to advance gender diversity in the boardroom. She's now Canada's leading advocate for getting more women on boards.

So it was only natural that Deborah named her company Women Get on Board. Deborah's firm is a leading member-based company that connects, promotes and empowers women to corporate boards.

But how do you start your journey to get board-ready so you can compete for a corporate board seat?

The first step for aspiring board members is determining your readiness for leading and serving on a corporate board. Below you'll find Deborah's 10-question cheatsheet. If you answer ‘Yes’ to the majority of the questions, then you're well on your way.

10 Questions to determine if you are already board-ready or still getting board-ready

1. Do you have a minimum of 10 to 15 years of experience in a senior executive role in the public, private, crown or not‐for‐profit sectors?
2. Are you prepared to commit at least 200 to 300 hours per year to a corporate board role?
3. Do you have the support of your own Board of Directors and/or senior executives to serve on a board?
4. Do you have a formal governance certification or designation, e.g. from the National Association of Corporate Directors?
5. Have you ever served on a board, not‐for‐profit or for-profit?
6. Are you a team player that understands the dynamics of boards is one of the most critical components of good governance?
7. Do you fully understand the role, responsibility and liability of a corporate director?
8. Do you understand the difference between a board of directors role versus a management role?
9. Do you have financial acumen—can you read and understand financial statements?
10. Do you have experience in critical areas in our changing world such as Risk Management, International Markets, M&A, Cyber Security, Digital Media, Big Data, etc.?

Getting yourself board-ready is a journey where you need to be realistic in your skills, experience and value you bring to a board.

If you've determined that you're interested in getting board-ready, you won't want to miss Deborah's top tips.

Click here to listen to her advice!

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Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Women Get on Board
• Episode 33: How to be the Tallest Duck in the Pond
• Episode 31: How to Land a Board Seat And be a Great Director
• Episode 5: The 8 Required Skills to be a Paid Board Director