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Board Readiness Coaching Program

Actionable Plans. Boardroom Access.

The Need For A Board Readiness Coaching Program

Since its inception, Ellig Group has invested in creating pathways to the boardroom for exceptional candidates. We are passionate about our role in improving the quality and demographic & cognitive diversity of corporate boards. Guiding exceptional leaders on their journey into the boardroom is a powerful means of furthering that goal.

How I started my board search process - Eugenia Ulasewicz

Ellig Group's Unique Board Readiness Coaching Program

The Ellig Group Board Readiness Coaching Program (BRCP) provides executives with a customized, one-on-one, virtual, six-month strategic coaching program to ultimately position them for a suitable, rewarding board role.

The overarching objective of the Ellig Group Board Readiness Coaching Program (BRCP) is to develop an actionable plan, leveraging a set of tools to accelerate an executive’s path to the boardroom. Ellig Group provides guidance from highly capable and experienced professionals including certified coaches and personal brand specialists, along with other invaluable resources such as writing and research support, and access to an extensive network of executives and directors.

Expertise in Board Placement and Executive Coaching

As a leader in placing exceptional candidates on boards, as well as in C-suite positions, we are the firm of choice for boards across multiple sectors, particularly those seeking to increase diverse representation in the boardroom. Our team’s experience and global network make us uniquely qualified to help executives secure corporate board seats.

Personal Attention, Flawless Results

At Ellig Group, we believe any process is best judged by its outcomes. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that to date, 100% of our Board Readiness Coaching Program (BRCP) graduates successfully joined a board within the first few months of completing the program. We are able to outperform our larger, higher-profile competitors for two main reasons:

Our program is 100% individualized. Our ICF Certified Coaches work one-on-one with each client for the entirety of the program. This allows us to tailor each program to the client’s individual needs, strengths and interests, rather than falling back on a “one size fits all” approach.

We leverage our impressive professional network on your behalf. Over decades of Board Search practice, we’ve worked with corporate boards and executives all over the country and across the spectrum of industry categories. And due to our phenomenal success rate on those searches, our past clients are always eager to hear from us again. In the small world of corporate governance, our reputation precedes us, and if we take you on as a coaching client, we make sure it precedes you too.

Board Readiness Through Intentionality

What Candidates Need

In our experience, we have found many executives have not yet taken the time to pause and reflect on their board aspirations. We have also found many aspiring first-time directors undersell themselves as candidates, presenting bios and narratives that lack focus or fail to adequately emphasize their greatest strengths in terms of unique skills, strategic impact and attributes.

What Boards Want

As governance committee chairs become increasingly proactive in establishing a pipeline of candidates, a candidate’s ability to clearly and concisely express their passion, expertise and value proposition has become more vital than ever.

Many board-seeking executives need a more structured, individualized approach – one that offers a clear set of achievable objectives and leverages the experience, network, and resources of a world-class team. As busy leaders, these executives need more than passive involvement. They need a partner to guide them on their journey.

Overview of Six-Month Program

Ellig Group BRCP engagements are highly customizable to meet the participant's individual needs and fit within their busy schedule. You can expect the following activities over a six month period:

  • Refining career and board goals and objectives in one-on-one coaching sessions with the support of professional assessment methodologies.
  • Developing a strategy and detailed action plan for board pursuits, including a framework for assessing and proactively identifying the landscape of potential board opportunities.
  • Creating and refining a compelling, concise board biography.
  • Assessing and enhancing their online presence, leveraging our strategic partnerships.
  • Developing a highly personalized gap analysis to identify which board and committee skills are required and determine actionable steps to round out the candidate’s corporate governance knowledge.
  • Identifying target companies that best align with the client’s unique skills, attributes, and experiences, and mapping existing and potential relationships within target companies.
  • Learning from experienced board directors and corporate governance experts in customized training sessions.
  • Participating in practice interviews and receiving feedback from experienced professionals and board directors.
  • Designing and executing a networking plan, including facilitated introductions to Ellig Group contacts.
empty board room table

Outcomes and Deliverables:

At the conclusion of the program, participants will have a:

  • Strategic board value proposition and detailed action plan
  • Framework for assessing board opportunities
  • Refreshed, focused board bio
  • Personal brand statement and profile
  • Enhanced online presence and Signitt publications dashboard through CoolBrands People
  • Target company list and outreach plan
  • Strategic professional networking plan including relationship mapping and assistance from Ellig Group for introductions
  • Searchable profile in the Equilar Diversity Network database
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Ellig Group BRCP Deliverables:

  • Strategic board value proposition and detailed action plan
  • Framework for assessing board roles
  • Refreshed board biography and resume
  • Enhanced online presence and Signitt publications dashboard through CoolBrands People
  • Personal brand statement and profile
  • Board learning and certification plan
  • Customized interview feedback report
  • Target company list and outreach plan
  • Professional networking strategic plan including relationship mapping and assistance from Ellig Group for introductions
  • Searchable profile in the Equilar Diversity Network database

The Power of Coaching: Nicole Sandford's Journey from BRCP Founder to Aspira Women's Health Board

Aspira Women’s Health President, CEO, and Board Member Nicole Sandford, is taking strides to increase diversity in the boardroom through the Board Readiness Coaching Program from Ellig Group. In a recent interview, she discussed the evolution of the program and the importance of providing support and guidance to professionals seeking board positions.

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Carol-Schleif

The Importance of Board Readiness Coaching: Insights from Carol Schleif, CIO at BMO Family Office

In today’s rapidly changing business world, board readiness has become a critical skill set for executives seeking to advance their careers. With the increasing demand for diverse and qualified board members, it’s important for executives to understand the complexities of board governance and develop the necessary skills to serve effectively. That’s where the Board Readiness Coaching Program (BRCP) from the Ellig Group comes in, and Carol Schleif, Chief Investment Officer at BMO Family Office, is a strong advocate for the program.

Tonie Leatherberry on the Benefits of the Board Readiness Coaching Program

Tonie Leatherberry is a highly accomplished Board Director who currently serves on the boards of Zoetis Inc., Direct Digital Holdings, Inc., and American Family Insurance. In a recent interview, she discussed her journey toward becoming a Board Director and the benefits that the Board Readiness Coaching Program (BRCP) that the Ellig Group provided her.

Tonie Leatherberry

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Tonie Leatherberry was at Deloitte for nearly three decades where she was the principal architect of The Board Leadership Forum and the NextGen CEO Academy, each of which has had a meaningful impact, ultimately placing more than 70 Black leaders into executive-level and board roles. As Chair Emeritus of the Executive Leadership Council, she created the Chairman’s Council of Academic Achievement to address achievement gaps for students of color in America’s educational systems, and as President of the Deloitte Foundation, the mission was to drive initiatives to develop future leaders through education. She is a passionate leader who has devoted much of her professional life to creating opportunities for women and people of color. Tonie is Lead director for Direct Digital Holdings, and a Board Director at Zoetis Inc. and American Family Insurance.

Cindie Jamison was elected Chair of the Darden Restaurants Board (NYSE: DRI) in September 2023, having served as a Director since October 2014 as part of a complete Board replacement slate through Starboard Value’s proxy fight. Since 2013, she has also served on the Office Depot Board (NASDAQ: ODP) where she Chairs the Audit Committee and is a member of the Compensation Committee. In May 2015, she joined the Big Lots, Inc (NYSE: BIG) Board, and became Chair in May 2022. In May 2023 Cindie stepped down from the Tractor Supply Company Board (NASDAQ:TSCO), a position she has held since 2002, where she was Chairman of the Board, after serving as Lead Director, and Chair of the Audit, Compensation & Corporate Governance Committees. Cindie joined the Board of Save the Children in February 2024.

David Chun, Founder and CEO, Equilar, Inc., has led Equilar since its inception to become one of the most trusted names in the corporate governance community. David has been recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Players in Corporate Governance” by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), the Disruptor Award by 2020 Women on Boards and Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business. David speaks publicly on corporate governance and board diversity matters, including events hosted by The Conference Board, Deloitte, EY, HR Policy Association, KPMG, NACD, NASDAQ, NYSE, The Society for Corporate Governance and Stanford’s Directors’ College. Prior to founding Equilar, David was a Vice President in the Investment Banking Division of Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette, a global investment bank that has since merged with Credit Suisse. Before DLJ, David was a management consultant with Bain & Company and also Kenan Systems, a telecom software developer acquired by Lucent Technologies. David serves on the boards of the Commonwealth Club of California, PGA Reach, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG). He is on Nasdaq’s Center for Board Excellence Advisory Board and Catalyst’s Women on Board Advisory Council. David is a member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Past Chair of the SF Bay Chapter, a founding member of the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) and a former board member of the Wharton Center for Entrepreneurship and the Asian Pacific Fund Community Foundation of San Francisco.

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Priscilla Sims Brown serves as President and CEO of Amalgamated Bank, a full-service bank, lender and investment manager with a century-long commitment to advancing positive social change. Amalgamated Financial Corp., the holding company for the Bank, is the first publicly traded (NASDAQ: AMAL) financial institution to be a public benefit corporation. Priscilla guides Amalgamated Bank in championing social responsibility through values-based banking, customer-centric services, and mission focused lending, serving individuals and organizations, including climate groups, foundations, labor unions, advocacy groups, political campaigns, and other socially responsible businesses, who care that their deposits are put to work for good. Priscilla is also dedicated to addressing environmental and social justice issues at Amalgamated Bank. More than 60% of the Bank’s lending and select balance sheet investments are high-impact through affordable housing, nonprofits, and climate solutions. Named one of the Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2023 by American Banker, Priscilla has been featured in The New York Times, TIME Magazine, PBS, and CNBC Changemakers, among others.

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Myra Biblowit is the President Emeritus of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the nation’s highest-rated breast cancer research organization with a mission focused exclusively on funding the world’s most promising research. Myra took the helm as BCRF President in 2001 and, after 22 years, retired in April 2023. During Myra’s tenure, BCRF funding enabled breakthroughs in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, metastasis, and survivorship. Myra was widely recognized for leading one of the most impactful, financially efficient, and transparent nonprofits in the United States. Prior, Myra was Vice Dean for External Affairs at NYU Medical Center where she headed the Development, Alumni Relations and Public Relations departments. Previously she led the capital campaign as Senior Vice President of the American Museum of Natural History. Earlier, Myra served as Executive Vice President of the Central Park Conservancy. Myra is a member of the Board of Directors of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, the Housewares Charity Foundation and the Historic House Trust of New York City. She is a member of the New York Women’s Forum, the Yellow for Pink National Council, Extraordinary Women on Boards and serves on the Advisory Board of Project Hope for Ovarian Cancer Research & Education.

Truett Tate is Chairman of a number of Boards, including Reference Point, TLC Lions, Thinkably and the recently retired Chairman of QBE, NA. Truett Tate is also Director of the DEVClever board. Truett has a long and esteemed global executive history including most recently as CEO of ANZ USA, Europe, Japan, Korea and the Middle East. Immediately prior, he was Group Executive (and Board member) at Lloyds Banking Group, responsible for Wholesale & International Banking (Including Global Wealth and International Retail) across the United Kingdom, the Americas and worldwide and prior spending 27 years at Citigroup where he held a variety of senior roles including corporate banking business across each of its regional geographies. Truett’s long board history includes Virgin Group, Ten Group, the BITC, BAB Inc along with many other charitable and academic organizations. A speaker, guest lecturer, philanthropist and professional coach/mentor, Truett has seemingly bottomless energy and passionate interest in a safer, more just, more humane and more sustainable world.

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Janice Reals Ellig

Chief Executive Officer

As the head of the Ellig Group, Janice is dedicated to increasing the placement of women and diverse candidates on corporate boards and in C-suites by 2025. Janice joined the legacy firm in 2000 and became Co-Chief Executive Officer in its transition to Chadick Ellig in 2007; she assumed sole ownership of the company as the Ellig Group in 2017 with a new focus on Reimagining Search. Prior to her career in executive search, Janice spent 20 years in corporate America at Pfizer, Citi and Ambac Financial Group, an IPO from Citibank, where she was responsible for Marketing, Human Resources, and Administration.

Heralded by Bloomberg Businessweek as one of “The World’s Most Influential Headhunters,” Janice is often consulted for her expertise and her commitment to gender parity, inclusion, and diversity. She frequently appears at speaking engagements and as a media guest, and she has penned multiple articles for outlets such as Directors & Boards, Directorship, Corporate Director, The Huffington Post, and Forbes.com. Janice also co-authored two books: Driving The Career Highway and What Every Successful Woman Knows, acknowledged by Bloomberg Businessweek as “the best of its genre.”

A tirelessly active member of the industry and champion of her causes, Janice is Founder of the Women’s Forum of New York’s Corporate Board Initiative and its signature event, Breakfast of Corporate Champions. Since 2011, Janice continues to spearhead this event to honor companies committed to board diversity and to encourage CEOs to sponsor board-ready women for the Women’s Forum database. (LINK: www.womensforumny.org).

Janice is personally committed to several NFP organizations: Board Director of the National YMCA and Past Chair of the YMCA Board of Greater New York; Trustee of the Actors Fund and Committee For Economic Development (CED); Incoming Chair, University of Iowa Foundation; Women’s Forum of New York Past President and Chair of the Corporate Board Initiative; member of the Steering Committee, US 30% Club and The Economic Club of New York.

In recognition for her many philanthropic activities, Janice received the University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011 and the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) Eleanor Raynolds Award for Volunteerism in 2008. Named one of the “21 Leaders for the 21st Century” by Women’s eNews, she was also a recipient of the Channel 21 Award In Excellence for her contribution to “Excellence in the Economic Development for Women.”

“Listening to our clients’ needs, learning their business and understanding their culture is how we present the best talent and provide  a competitive advantage. We place candidates with the character, competencies, commitment, (intellectual) curiosity and courage to make a difference. Our goal is always to go beyond the expected and deliver valuable advice, measurable results and great talent!”

– Janice Reals Ellig

  • Champion of gender parity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Industry expert, speaker, and author
  • Founder of the Women’s Forum of New York’s Corporate Board Initiative
  • Committed board and committee member and philanthropist

T: (212) 688-8671 ext. 226
E: Janice@ElligGroup.com

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