Preparing Women To Advance

The Leadership Foundry Program prepares women to serve on corporate boards through an intensive board training curriculum in cooperation with the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), as well as monthly training and networking events.

Program Overview - Selection Criteria - Requirements and Refund Policy - Participant Responsibilities - Program Cost

Program Overview

The Leadership Foundry (TLF) program helps participants develop the core competencies needed to successfully serve on a corporate board. The ten-month program includes the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Accelerate^TM Program, consisting of their six-month Virtual Director Professionalism training, an intensive board training program, as well as support for NACD certification study groups, training and networking events to make meaningful connections and build trusted relationships throughout the program.

The Leadership Foundry cohort should plan to take the NACD Certification Exam after completing the Virtual Director Professionalism training and anytime up to two years after the program launch. After passing, members will earn the NACD Directorship Certification® (NACD.DC™). In addition, the cohort member receives a 2-year NACD membership, and once certified, can gain visibility on the Equilar ExecAtlas searchable database used by recruiters for board positions. Cohort members become part of a strong network of TLF Alumnae.

Each cohort is limited to 5-10 participants who are women at the C-suite and senior executive levels and ideally do not currently serve as a paid director of a legal entity but are ready for board service within the next 2-3 years. Program participants should be available to attend evening events, dedicate the time to study and pass the NACD certification exam and become part of an enriching network of women pursuing similar goals.

Back To Top

Selection Criteria

The Leadership Foundry is looking for women who have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service, and who have the intelligence, education, experience, and ethical standards needed to make a significant and positive contribution to a corporate board.

When evaluating an applicant for the program, The Leadership Foundry considers the following qualifications:

Management and leadership experience

Eligible candidates have held a position in significant leadership, management or senior faculty roles.
Consideration will also be given to those who have experience in high-priority growth areas, or who have demonstrated experience in today’s major business challenges.

Skilled and diverse background

Candidates must be able to understand the legal responsibilities of a director and the processes of a public company and have the personal qualities to make a substantial active contribution to a corporate board.
Consideration will also be given to those with who qualify as a “financial expert” under established standards and international experience.

Integrity and professionalism

It is essential that candidates have the highest standards of moral and ethical character and personal integrity and have a track record of leading change initiatives, positively dealing with sensitive issues, competing interests and dissenting opinions.
Candidates must be independent, objective and have an intense dedication to serve on a corporate board.

Confidential judging will be accomplished by an independent panel of senior leadership that includes corporate or non-profit board experience. The panel will review applications and make final selections. Only information submitted with the application will be reviewed.

Back To Top

Requirements and Refund Policy

The Leadership Foundry Program has a limited number of spaces available for qualified candidates for each program year. The application process is competitive. Admission decisions are handled by an independent panel of senior leadership that includes corporate or non-profit board experience. The panel will review the information submitted in the application and will use established scoring criteria to evaluate responses.

If selected, the cohort of individuals will participate in the virtual Accelerate^TM program of 15 self-paced modules provided by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) during the first six months. In addition, The Leadership Foundry will offer in-person educational and networking events as well as in-person and virtual certification exam study group sessions scheduled over the course of the ten-month program.

All application fees are non-refundable. All successful program applicants will be notified in writing at completion of judging of acceptance of their application for admission into this year’s cohort.

It is WIT’s goal to ensure that all interested and qualified candidates have an opportunity to benefit from this valuable program, supplementing board education with in-person and virtual events to connect with each other and other alumnae.

Upon notification of selection and offer of admission into the program, successful applicants must notify the WIT Office, in writing, of their acceptance and submit payment in full of the program fees by the payment deadline. If acceptance and payment are not received by the WIT Office by the advertised payment deadline, the participant cannot be guaranteed admission. All program fees must be paid in full and are nonrefundable.

Back To Top

Participant Responsibilities

The Leadership Foundry is committed to the success of its classes, and requires each participant to be responsible for the following:

Commit to completing the program and actively work to become more qualified as a for-profit corporate board member
Participate in the full board training sessions conducted by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
Attend monthly or periodic training and networking events
Dedicate time to build core competencies and develop appropriate networking connections
Commit sufficient time to discharge the duties of board membership and have sufficient years available for service to make a significant contribution over time
Provide feedback on The Leadership Foundry Program, and participate in advocacy efforts to promote the program including case studies, testimonials and speaking opportunities

Please note that completion of The Leadership Foundry program, including the completion of the NACD Accelerate^TM program, does not guarantee board selection of participants, nor a guarantee that a participant will pass the credentialing exam. The Leadership Foundry does provide enablement for participant study groups for group learning and encouragement to ultimately earn their NACD Directorship Certification® (NACD.DC™).

Back To Top

Program Cost

Participants in The Leadership Foundry Program are required to pay the non-refundable program fee of USD $6,250.00. This fee includes the NACD Accelerate^TM Program which offers NACD Directorship Certification® upon successful completion of the exam, 2 years of NACD Membership (a $3,300 value), listing in Equilar ExecAtlas searchable database once certified, and including core training and alumnae group meetings and networking events.

Alumnae of The Leadership Foundry who may now be interested in the NACD Certification process should contact TLF directly at [email protected].

Back To Top