How to secure your first board role: Strategic tips from Pender & Howe partners

In this blog, we’re offering four helpful tips on how to approach it - drawing on the experience and insights from Pender & Howe partners Glenn Lesko and Céline Chabée and consultant Michelle Moore.

1. Stand out by leveraging governance training programs

Governance training programs can provide a huge boost to your credibility when applying for a board role, as they demonstrate your commitment to understanding the legal and strategic responsibilities of board members.

For Glenn Lesko, the ICD.D program (Institute of Corporate Directors) is highly recommended. It's a well-regarded course that equips participants with foundational governance knowledge. Even if you haven’t completed the program yet, enrolling sends a signal to boards that you are committed to professional development in governance, which can set you apart from other candidates.

Céline Chabée highlights that the ICD.D designation is widely recognized as the gold standard in governance training, offering both a powerful network and a well-established benchmark in governance practices. However, it can require significant time and financial commitment. For those who may face these constraints, a more gradual and focused approach - such as the ECBG (Excellence in Canadian Board Governance) program supported by P&H, developed by Women in Bio (WIB) in partnership with the Rotman School of Management - can serve as a practical and strategic first stepping stone with an industry-specific focus.

These programs not only build essential board skills - such as fiduciary responsibility, ethical decision-making, and risk oversight - but also connect participants with a strong network of governance professionals and alumni, invaluable for those seeking board opportunities.

As Michelle Moore points out, startup advisory boards can also offer valuable governance experience, allowing you to work closely with founders and investors while building your network within the startup ecosystem. 

Developing these skills in lower-stakes environments essentially makes you more attractive to larger, for-profit boards that require a more seasoned hand with proven experience.

3. Use and expand upon your network

Much like landing your leadership position, networking plays a key role in securing a board role, as many of these opportunities are rarely advertised publicly. Glenn Lesko stresses that broadcasting your interest in board roles across your professional and personal networks is essential. Since many board appointments are filled through word of mouth, recommendations often come from trusted sources within your industry.

Building a strong network within your industry allows you to connect with current board members and executive recruiters. LinkedIn, industry conferences, and alumni networks from governance training programs are excellent starting points. 

Céline Chabée advises that offering mentorship or advisory support can also be a great way to introduce yourself to potential board opportunities. By demonstrating your value as a strategic advisor, you show that you can offer immediate insights, which is attractive to boards looking for new perspectives.

Creating genuine relationships with other board members - particularly those serving on multiple boards - can lead to referrals. Board members are often approached for recommendations, so having a strong relationship with them can significantly increase your chances of being considered for future roles. Staying active within professional organizations and industry-specific associations, like The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), can provide ongoing networking opportunities.

One relevant example is cybersecurity expertise, which is increasingly in demand as boards face heightened risks in ever-evolving data privacy and compliance regulations. Similarly, knowledge of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives is becoming a key area of interest, as boards continue to champion sustainability and corporate responsibility.

By emphasizing your contributions in these areas, even if you’ve never held a formal board position, you can showcase your readiness (and willingness) to contribute to high-level strategic discussions. With the right preparation, commitment to networking, and a focus on continuous learning, landing that first board role can be more attainable than you think.