“The inspiration for starting BoardReady came from several lived experiences that led me to an overwhelming realization: our corporate boardrooms lacked the diversity needed to truly reflect the abundance of ideas and perspectives within our community.

This first became clear to me when I worked with Vettd, a tech platform using AI to match candidates with employers. I started thinking about the power of technology, and how we could use it to meet the boardroom need of diversifying directors with countless ‘board ready’ candidates. Time and time again, I saw these ‘board ready’ candidates whose names never surfaced through the closed network of existing board members – so it was time to make a change.  

The need was driven home when I was called to be considered for a new board role. Though I had to decline the opportunity, I was confident that there were many other qualified, skilled women candidates that could fill the role; the company CEO, however, did not share that sentiment. In our subsequent conversations, he referenced the “lack of good, qualified women directors,” and it was in that moment that BoardReady was born.  

Using data analytics, we created the Board Ready Index (BRI) to highlight the gender, age, and ethnic diversity of existing boards that allowed us to compare a cohort of companies with one another. We then invited all qualified women and people of color (current directors and/or C-suite executives) to join our TalentVault. One by one, “BoardReady” candidates flooded our vault, and our work to help diversify Company Boards began. 

Present day, we have met with countless Company Boards to assess BRI scores and implement diversification strategies to match their needs with our growing network of highly qualified leads. And in doing so, we have helped scores of women and people of color match their capabilities with board roles. Together, we are rewriting the narrative of corporate governance and cultivating a future where diversity in the boardroom is the driver of success.”