CURRENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES: Board chair and member of the audit and compensation committees, Shawmut Design and Construction, a $2 billion national construction management firm.
FIRST APPOINTMENT: Wells Fargo Merchant Services
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I have been a leader in global consulting and search firms for 20 years, working with boards and C-suites around the world on talent strategy, business leadership and effective human capital planning. I was named by Bloomberg Businessweek as one of the “World’s Most Influential Headhunters.” Previously, I was executive vice president at First Data Corporation, a global public fintech company.
BEST BOARD ADVICE: It’s important to show up in the boardroom prepared to have robust conversations and, at the same time, be open to listening to various perspectives and insights from other board members. Also, don’t stop learning. Governance and business are constantly evolving.
MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT BOARD SERVICE: There are many important agenda topics to be discussed as a board member. It’s critical to allow enough time for discussions and be able to manage the time in the boardroom effectively to get to all the topics that need addressing.
MOST REWARDING THING ABOUT BOARD SERVICE: As a board chair, I find it incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of building strong relationships between the board and executive management. The tone set in boardroom discussions carries beyond the meetings, allowing for deeper, more impactful conversations. This helps ensure the best decisions are made. Much of this is driven by the relationship between the chair and the CEO. Taking the time to build that relationship has great rewards for all.
PERSONAL MOTTO: Take the high road.