Mary Smith’s View from the Boardroom
Independent Board Member - PTC Therapeutics
Independent Board Member - HAI Group
Independent Board Member - Greenway Health
Vice Chair and General Counsel - The VENG Group
Founder & President - Task Force American Democracy
What made you decide that you wanted to become a corporate board member?
Simply put, I wanted to make a difference. I want to help companies navigate risk and chart growth. A director has the ability to directly influence the strategic direction and performance of an organization, contributing to its success and growth, and I wanted to contribute in those ways.
Once you decided to work on getting onto a corporate board, what were some of the first things you did?
One of the first steps I took was to learn more. I started to attend webinars with a topic of getting on your first board. I enjoyed hearing about the board journeys of sitting directors. Working on crafting a board bio was also a critical first step in my efforts to secure a board seat.
How did you get connected to your first board seat?
I actually obtained two board seats around the same time. I was connected to the first board seat through networking – which is the most common way to become a director. For the second board seat, I responded to a posting and interviewed without having any connections to the board or the company. While applying without any contacts is an unusual way to end up on a board, it does happen as evidenced my experience.
How long did it take you to get your first corporate board seat after you started devoting time to the process?
It took about three years to obtain my first board seat. During this time, I treated networking for a board seat as a full-time job as I did not want to look back and have regrets that I could have done more.
What steps did you take to prepare for the board interview process that benefited you most?
Interviewing for a board seat is very different than interviewing for an operational role. I realized that I needed help so I hired a coach to engage in mock interviews to improve my interview skills. I also did an incredible amount of research on the company.
What characteristic or behavior do you believe was critical to your success in landing your first board role?
Demonstrating my value as a member of the board, being curious, and emphasizing that I can disagree without being disagreeable.
What has surprised you about the reality of board service versus the expectations you had going in?
While not really surprising to me, I currently serve on three boards, and the culture of each board is very different. I learn something different from each board on which I serve.
How do you feel your board service complements or enhances your professional career?
My board service enhances my leadership skills, expands my network, and increases my professional marketability.
If you are currently employed, how do you feel your board service complements or enhances your value to your employer?
My board service exposes me to different issues and industries and enhances my skillset and ability to approach problems in a more analytic and thoughtful manner.
Is there anything you wish you would have done sooner?
I wish I had approached learning about landing a board seat and had reached out to current board members for advice sooner.
What is the one essential piece of advice you’d offer to senior level executives pursuing their first board seat?
Focus on what value you will add to the board and whether the board and the company are a good fit. There is a tendency to want to accept the first board position you are offered. However, you should think very carefully before accepting as you will likely serve on the board for many years and resigning from a board prematurely is frowned upon.
What is a favorite quote that inspires you?
I am Native American and an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Wilma Mankiller was the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and I had the honor of having her as a mentor and friend. Wilma famously said, “Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it—and gets through it quicker. Whenever I'm confronted with a tough challenge, I do not prolong the torment, I become the buffalo." It serves as a metaphor for facing challenges directly to minimize their impact.
Complete this sentence: “I wish I had more time to…”
Do everything!
