It depends on where you are in your board journey and how much support you need.

Some executives need to strengthen their board positioning and branding. Others have their materials in place but need a more strategic approach to networking, interviewing, or gaining traction.

We offer focused, pay-for-what-you-need services for specific challenges, as well as ongoing memberships that combine strategy, personalized guidance, accountability, and access to additional resources.

Not sure where to start? Schedule a conversation with Sheila to discuss your goals and the options available.

You absolutely can pursue board opportunities independently. The question is whether you're using your time, experience, and relationships as strategically as possible.

You have the experience. But experience alone doesn't get you chosen for a board seat.

We work with you to strengthen your board positioning, develop your branding, identify the right connections, prepare for important conversations, and create a networking strategy that leads to meaningful opportunities.

And we help you stay accountable. Because knowing what to do and consistently doing it are two different things.

We don't just give you information or a list of things to do. We work through the process with you.

When you're investing your time, money, relationships, and professional reputation, who you work with matters.

Sheila Ronning founded Women in the Boardroom in November 2001. For 25 years, we've continued evolving our approach to reflect changes in the board landscape and what companies look for in directors.

We're not simply an educational organization or networking community. We provide personalized strategy, practical guidance, and accountability to help executives take meaningful action.

Sheila remains directly involved in our strategic work, supported by an experienced team.

And approximately 85% of our new clients come through referrals from people we've worked with.

Our longevity isn't about standing still. It's about knowing what works and continuing to evolve.

Absolutely. We work with executives pursuing their first corporate board seat and experienced directors seeking their next opportunity.

Board careers evolve. You may need to refresh your board bio and LinkedIn profile, reposition your experience for different types of boards, expand your network, or prepare for a specific opportunity.

We also work with executives exploring advisory, consulting, fractional, and other portfolio-career opportunities.

Whether you're pursuing your first board seat or your next, we help you develop a strategy that reflects where you are today and where you want to go.

Board-way is a division of Women in the Boardroom, created to make our board positioning, branding, networking strategy, and other services available to executives of all genders.

Both share the same established methodology, experience, and leadership under Sheila Ronning.

Board-way offers flexible options, from targeted, pay-for-what-you-need services to ongoing strategic membership.

No. Search firms work for companies seeking board directors. We work for you.

We help you strengthen your board positioning, develop a strategic networking plan, build relationships, and prepare for opportunities.

We also receive corporate board openings through our network and share them with eligible members.

But board openings are only one path. Strong positioning and strategic networking create multiple paths to opportunity.

Yes. We receive board opportunities through our network of board directors, investors, companies, professional relationships, and occasionally search firms.

These include opportunities with publicly traded, privately held, private-equity-backed, and other types of organizations.

Board-opening notifications are included in eligible memberships. While we cannot guarantee a specific number of openings or that every opportunity will match your experience, they are an important benefit.

We like to consider them the “cherry on top” of your membership. Our focus is on helping you develop multiple paths to the boardroom, rather than relying solely on openings we receive.

Our ultimate goal is to help executives obtain corporate board opportunities, but success isn't measured solely by whether someone lands a seat.

We look at the progress clients make in strengthening their positioning, developing strategic relationships, communicating their value, securing interviews, and gaining consideration for opportunities.

We also believe success means giving executives the tools, strategy, and confidence to continue moving forward independently.

Our objective isn't to keep you working with us indefinitely. It's to help you develop what you need to reach your goals.

There is no set timeline, and no credible organization can guarantee a board appointment.

Some executives secure opportunities relatively quickly, while others spend considerably longer developing the relationships and visibility that lead to board consideration.

Timing depends on many factors, including your positioning, network, the types of boards you're targeting, market needs, and board turnover.

What we can do is help you develop a focused strategy, communicate your value effectively, build the right relationships, and stay accountable.

The goal isn't simply to do more. It's to do the right things consistently.

Yes, when you select a service or membership that includes one-on-one work with Sheila.

Sheila remains personally involved in helping clients clarify their board value, strengthen their positioning and branding, develop networking strategies, prepare for interviews, and determine next steps.

Our team supports this work through research, materials development, technology, administration, and client service.

You benefit from Sheila's personalized strategic guidance, backed by the experience and resources of an established organization.