Alice Brennan’s View from the Boardroom

• Member, Board of Directors; Chair, Compensation Committee - Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation

• Member, Board of Directors ; Chair, Nominating & Governance Committee; Member, Audit Committee - Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company ll

• Member, Board of Directors; Member, Audit Committee - FRMO Corp.

• Member, Board of Directors; Member, Audit Committee - RENN Fund, Inc.

What made you decide that you wanted to become a corporate board member?

Having spent most of my career in the boardroom as a legal adviser, it was a natural progression to want to serve on boards.

Once you decided to work on getting onto a corporate board, what were some of the first things you did?

I tailored my LinkedIn to getting on a corporate board, highlighting my board and industry skills, and experience and expertise.

How did you get connected to your first board seat?

A colleague approached me at a Society for Corporate Governance conference and asked whether I was interested in serving on a mutual fund board.  I responded enthusiastically and interviewed for the opening.  I have served on the board for 8 years now.  Lesson: people are always watching and making judgments about your fit.

How long did it take you to get your first corporate board seat after you started devoting time to the process?

Approximately 2 years

What steps did you take to prepare for the board interview process that you recommend others follow?

Prepare thoroughly: study the company’s website, SEC filings, press releases, and analysts’ reports.  Research on Google, LinkedIn, and AI.

What characteristic or behavior do you believe was critical to your success in landing your first board role?

Demonstrating that I was a good fit by how I asked questions and highlighting that I am a quick study, an avid learner, and a good listener.

What has surprised you about the reality of board service versus the expectations you had going in?

I was surprised by the degree to which board directors communicate with each other outside of the boardroom.

Is there anything you wish you would have done sooner?

I wish I had told my network that I was interested in board service sooner. 

What is the one essential piece of advice you’d offer to senior level executives pursuing their first board seat?

My advice is:  be authentic.  Also, recognize that what you get out of being a director is directly related to what you put into it.  It is hard work, but it is very rewarding.

What is a favorite quote that inspires you?

My favorite quote that inspires me is “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”  Winston Churchill