Joining a Board and Making it Count: 
What You Really Need to Know

Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Location: Virtual

What separates those who talk about board service from those who actually secure a seat and succeed? In this candid, experience-driven session, Howard Brownstein, Melissa Ludwig, and Bob Madonna draw on decades of leadership across for-profit and nonprofit boards to provide examples to inform and share how boards work.

From understanding board structures and roles to clarifying expectations like fiduciary responsibility and “give and get,” they’ll move beyond theory to reveal what drives real influence and what distinguishes directors who add value from those who simply hold a seat.

Adding a powerful counterpoint, executive search expert Andrew Wheeler shares how board candidates are identified, assessed, and selected. 

Together, this session offers a practical, unfiltered look at how to position yourself, build credibility, and navigate the path to meaningful board service.

What You’ll Gain
• What boards are really looking for today
• How board selection works behind the scenes
• Differences between profit and nonprofit expectations
• Dos and don’ts that can accelerate or quietly derail
• What it takes to contribute, influence, and add value

Presented by:

Howard Brownstein

Melissa Ludwig

Bob Madonna

Andrew Wheeler

Members: Free

Guests: $15