RESOURCES
Organizations that provide support and training for women who want
to be corporate directors and for women who are directors
There are many organizations that provide education, networking, and more to support women aspiring to join their first corporate board as well as women currently serving on public or private boards. For your convenience, we are listing a sampling of such organizations. This is by no means a complete list and we cannot vouch for their quality.
We note that while some are nonprofit ventures, others are for profit. The organizations target different niches and provide education ranging from how to get a board seat to continuing education for existing board members. Some also offer referrals to specific board seat openings or may provide access to an executive search firm. Price ranges for their offerings vary widely.
Finally, we suggest that those seeking corporate board seats be mentally prepared for a marathon and not a sprint. Getting your first seat may come easily if you know the right person, but it more likely will take diligent effort, even if you are fully qualified. Educational programs and certificates build your credibility, but they will not, on their own, be enough if you do not work the process in a disciplined way.
BOARD READINESS, PLACEMENT AND DIRECTOR NETWORKS
A global nonprofit advancing the business case for gender-balanced boards. Offers board-readiness workshops, a mentorship program, city chapters and a community directory, and publishes the quarterly Gender Diversity Index tracking women on Russell 3000 boards. 50/50 Women on Boards is the data partner for this census. Tampa Bay chapter; mentorship by application.
A membership organization for senior women executives, offering networking, an education arm, peer coaching and support in securing board seats. Membership is by application.
A nonprofit focused specifically on increasing the number of women lawyers serving on corporate boards. Its Board Institute is a competitive, application-based program, and it maintains an alumnae directory used by companies seeking candidates.
A peer community for women who already hold at least one corporate board seat, offering governance education, a member network and shared board opportunities.
illumyn Impact (formerly Him For Her)
A social-impact venture connecting women candidates to companies and search firms recruiting directors, and publishing research on board composition. Its service to companies is offered free of charge.
A commercial coaching and advisory service for individuals seeking corporate board seats, offering one-to-one guidance, board-oriented personal branding, networking strategy and introductions. Paid, with prices published on the site.
A nonprofit membership community of women serving on corporate boards, with local chapter programming, director education, events and member-only board opportunities. The Florida chapters of WCD are among the four organizations that publish this census. Two Florida chapters, South Florida and Tampa; membership by application.
FOCUSED ON DIRECTORS FROM UNDER-REPRESENTED GROUPS
Latino Corporate Directors Association
A membership organization for Latino and Latina corporate directors and senior executives, offering programming, a member directory, an annual Board Leaders Convening and research. Its affiliated educational foundation runs the BoardReady Institute. Membership is by application, with published eligibility thresholds.
Describes itself as the largest Pan-Asian board network in North America, with members serving on Fortune 1000 and other prominent boards. Offers governance content, an annual Board Leadership Summit and affinity-based networking. A director network rather than a placement service.
Black Directors Health Equity Agenda
A nonprofit convening Black corporate directors and leaders around health equity, with a talent pillar focused on positioning the next generation of leaders for board service. Its mission is health equity specifically rather than general board readiness.
WOMEN-SPECIFIC EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
Harvard Business School — Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director
A multi-day residential program for women preparing for or serving in board roles, within Harvard Business School Executive Education's wider board governance portfolio. Paid, with tuition published on the site.
Wharton — Women on Boards: Building Exceptional Leaders
A multi-day residential program for women seeking or holding board seats, within Wharton Executive Education's board governance portfolio. Paid, with tuition published on the site.
GENERAL GOVERNANCE EDUCATION — OPEN TO ALL DIRECTORS
Not women-specific, but these are the standard references for director education, and several publish research free of charge. Two have a Florida footprint.
National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
The principal membership organization for corporate directors in the United States. Publishes governance research and surveys, runs director education in person, virtually and on demand, and offers director certification. Has a statewide Florida chapter.
A national membership organization focused on governance for privately held companies, offering education, chapter programming, a members' board-opportunities listing and an annual conference. Two Florida chapters, South Florida and Tampa Bay.
Publishes board-focused research, director onboarding resources and guidance on audit, risk and sustainability oversight, together with webcasts and free email briefings. Openly accessible; no membership required.
PwC Governance Insights Center
PwC's governance research arm, with a searchable publications library, events and webcasts, and a resource set aimed at new and prospective directors.
Deloitte Center for Board Effectiveness
Publishes governance research and guides including the Audit Committee Practices Report and Audit Committee Guide, and runs board and audit committee education sessions and webinars.
EY's board resource hub, offering research, articles, webcasts and quarterly updates for audit committees on risk oversight, board effectiveness and technology. Free email subscription.
An annual multi-day executive education conference at Stanford Law School for directors and senior executives of public and prominent private companies.
Northwestern Kellogg — Corporate Governance
A four-day residential program covering governance models, committee responsibilities, board conduct in crises, executive compensation, audit and legal issues, and activist investors.
Organizations list last reviewed October 2026.