41% of HBS alumni currently serve on a nonprofit board1, and many more have or will serve on a board at some point in their career. To support this extraordinary number of alumni serving their communities, SEI launched the OnBoard program to develop leadership skills critical for modern governance. The program is designed to build on the HBS commitment to lifelong learning while contributing to the impact of the nonprofit sector through rigorous examination of the essential roles and practices of board leaders.
OnBoard offers virtual synchronous sessions with a combination of HBS faculty, social impact practitioners, and alumni to discuss cross-sector topics. Each session will be interactive with opportunities to collaborate with other HBS alumni on problem solving, education and support.
OnBoard is for alumni who currently serve on nonprofit boards and see value in collaborating with other alumni to deepen their engagement and effectiveness. For those alumni considering nonprofit board service, the program will include an annual Introduction to Boards session to guide you through an examination of your personal motivations, interests and skills as well as frameworks for evaluating specific board opportunities.
For alumni to connect with each other, share resources and board opportunities.
June 15, 2023
Is nonprofit board service right for you? How do you find a nonprofit board that is a good fit for your values, interests, and skills? HBS Social Enterprise Initiative Director Amelia Angella guides you through the fundamentals of nonprofit board service.
February 28, 2023
In this session of OnBoard, SEI Interim Director Amelia Angella moderated a conversation with Lyndia Downie, longtime Executive Director of the Pine Street Inn, and current Board Chair Lorn Davis to discuss the critical role of Board Chairs and their relationship with the Executive Director in advancing impact.
June 15, 2022
Is nonprofit board service right for you? How do you find a nonprofit board that is a good fit for your values, interests, and skills? HBS Social Enterprise Initiative Director Rob Zeaske and Associate Director Amelia Angella guide you through the fundamentals of nonprofit board service.
March 24, 2022
The board’s role is particularly critical during a leadership transition. Hear from our panel of alumni nonprofit leaders about their experiences navigating through transitions as nonprofit founders, CEOs, funders, and board members.
December 15, 2021
A key function of an organization's board is to ensure adequate resources to fulfill the mission. And yet, many board members do not have fundraising experience or skills. Professor Warren McFarlan talks through the ideas in his book Effective Fundraising: The Trustee’s Role and Beyond.
June 15, 2021
A conversation with Professor Kash Rangan and Anne Wallestead, CEO of BoardSource, on the shift to purpose-driven leadership that looks to greater social impact goals.
Resources for joining your first board, finding additional board roles, increasing effectiveness as a board member, and finding qualified, diverse candidates for your board seats.
HBS Alumni Clubs offer nonprofit board recruitment fairs, regional board summits, and other networking events. Contact your local club to learn more.
1 Life & Leadership After HBS longitudinal alumni study. Most recent data collection 2021-2022.
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