Women On Boards Project

It’s been a heavy month, and in truth, the past year has brought challenges that have left many of us feeling weary, even disheartened. In times like these, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by uncertainty and change. As we pause to reflect, we want to acknowledge this weight — the moments when resilience feels tough and hope seems distant. Yet, as we reflect, we are also reminded of a quiet but unbreakable truth: women supporting women is a light that doesn’t dim, even in the darkest times. Whether it’s lifting up our friends, inspiring our daughters, or making space for each other in the boardroom, our solidarity is a powerful, enduring source of strength and hope. As we move forward, let’s lean into that strength together and remember that it’s okay to feel the weight of what we’ve been through. Progress isn’t always easy or immediate, but together, we’re creating spaces where every woman’s voice is heard, every girl’s dreams are lifted, and every challenge we face brings us closer. The future may still feel uncertain, but we know this: we’re building it side by side, and the road ahead will be brighter because we’re walking it together.

This Women Entrepreneurs Day, let’s spotlight the women who bring fresh energy and purpose to everything they touch. Leaders like our placement Karina Kogan—a digital wellness strategist who’s taken Pvolve and ōURA Ring to new heights—are showing us what it means to lead with vision and tech innovation in wellness Then there’s Maura Mottolese, who transformed Tate's Bake Shop into a household name, proving that dedication to quality and authenticity builds brands people genuinely love. And Caitlin Landesberg, founder of Sufferfest Beer Company, who merged her passion for the outdoors with her craft, creating a brand rooted in community and active lifestyles. Today, we celebrate these inspiring women for redefining what it means to lead and build with passion. Here’s to the founders and CEOs who make us want to aim higher and dream bigger. #WomenEntrepreneursDay #Leadership #Inspiration

Kristin Shane & the Lundberg Family Farms team are hard at work! We love seeing board members in action.

We’re turning commitment into action… At the Women On Boards Project, we’re not just talking about change; we’re creating it. Since 2020, our mission has been to increase women’s representation on high-growth company boards, and our latest Impact Report shows the momentum we’re building. So far, 64 women have joined company boards through W Project, bringing fresh perspectives and real influence to the table. Nearly 20% of these placements come from underrepresented groups, and over half are first-time board members. These placements aren’t just filling seats—they’re driving real change and shaping a future where leadership reflects true diversity. Our ambitious targets? 100 board placements by 2025 and 150 by 2026. Through storytelling, coaching, and data-driven action, we’re helping companies build boards that reflect and respect the consumers they serve. Our impact is already evident: companies with women on their boards are achieving outstanding growth, with six recent acquisitions among those we’ve supported. The journey is far from over. Curious to see more of our impact and vision? Check out the full Impact Report below to learn how we’re setting the stage for a future where boardrooms are built on diverse, powerful voices. https://lnkd.in/gaNeiGcq #ImpactReport #WomenOnBoards #WomenInTheBoardroom

Better late than never! We’re thrilled to announce that back in July, Vanessa Dew joined the board of Rootine founded by Rachel Soper Sanders through Women On Boards Project! Vanessa brings a wealth of experience as a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Health-Ade, making her an exceptional fit to help guide Rootine as they continue to empower individuals to take control of their health with science-backed wellness solutions. Rootine's approach to health combines advanced nutrient and hormone testing, personalized supplements, and functional drink mixes for sleep, stress, and focus, creating real results for their customers and helping to tackle the mounting mental wellness crisis for women 30+. With Vanessa’s strategic vision and dedication to building impactful brands, we’re excited to see how she’ll support Rootine in their mission to transform wellness from the inside out. Let’s celebrate Vanessa’s new role and Rootine’s bright future together! #WomenOnBoards #WomenInConsumer #BoardMember

Founders & CEOs, we get it—adding to your board can feel like a big step. But if cost is holding you back, let’s clear the air: working with the Women On Boards Project won’t cost you a penny. Zero. Literally zero. We’re on a mission to ensure more women have seats at the table, and that companies like yours have access to the incredible talent you deserve. Our goal is simple—connecting companies with exceptional women executives to diversify their leadership teams, without any financial barrier. Of course, not every company is ready to add a board member, or even has a board in place yet. But we want to be clear: when you’re ready, don’t let cost be the hurdle. We’re here to make board diversity accessible for everyone. Ready to take the next step? Let’s build the future of leadership, together. Click the link below to learn more. https://lnkd.in/gpF88qxf #WomenOnBoards #BoardDiversity #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #InclusiveLeadership

Celebrating visionary shifts in #venturecapital! We're excited to spotlight BBG Ventures and the transformative vision of its founders, Nisha Dua and Susan Lyne. Since launching in 2014, BBG has advocated for women-led startups, supporting innovative brands like Spring Health and Starface World . Now, they're expanding that commitment with a $60M second fund, extending their support to diverse founders across race, age, and income. BBG Ventures’ research into America's “polycultural future” highlights the value of representation and inclusion in building the next generation of businesses. With this fund, they’re doubling down on a key insight: founders who can truly understand the needs of diverse communities bring a competitive advantage. This focus on empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs aligns with our mission to support a more inclusive business landscape – we’re proud to be on the same page! It’s inspiring to see firms like BBG Ventures evolve to meet the moment—setting a powerful example for the industry. https://lnkd.in/gF-GYAxb? #WomenOnBoards #WomenInVC

Election Day is here, and today is a powerful reminder that representation matters. For too long, decision-making spaces—whether in government or in the boardroom—have been missing diverse voices. When leaders truly reflect the people they serve, it leads to better decisions and stronger communities. Voting is an opportunity to choose leaders who understand your experiences and can advocate for real change. Just like in business, diverse representation brings fresh perspectives and makes an impact. So, cast your vote today, knowing that every voice counts in shaping a more inclusive future. #ElectionDay #RepresentationMatters

Happy November 1st! As we say hello to November, we’re excited to share our Board Placement Roundup from October! Please join us in congratulating: Bela Bajaria, Mary Jane Fortin, and Beth Kinneberg. Your leadership and expertise are invaluable as you take on these new challenges. Here’s to making an impact! #MonthlyRoundup #WomenOnBoards

Introducing Ana Badell, our next Board Member Spotlight! Ana serves as the SVP of Enterprise Business Transformation at lululemon, where she leads large-scale organizational shifts that drive strategy and execution. With a career spanning major roles at Walmart and Starbucks, Ana is known for her people-first leadership style. In December 2021, Women On Boards Project had the pleasure of placing Ana on the board of Rowan. Since then, she’s brought her holistic approach and passion for leadership to help guide Rowan’s growth and success. Let’s learn a bit more about Ana! Q: What are your top career highlights? A: 1.) Turning an underperformer into a high achiever has been one of the most satisfying parts of my career. Seeing someone exceed their expectations has reinforced my belief in the power of leadership and coaching. 2.) Helping individuals align their careers with their passions and strengths has consistently resulted in not just personal success but also stronger organizational outcomes. 3.) Inspiring people by creating an environment where they feel empowered to express their talents, knowing they are fully supported, is the foundation of success. This is something I’ve applied throughout my career, especially during my time at Walmart, where people-first leadership drove results. Q: What inspired you to join a board? A: It was a conversation with a mentor—a former Starbucks executive—who urged me to consider board service. She highlighted that my experience was valuable now, not just "someday." That conversation helped me realize the importance of stepping outside the day-to-day and contributing my leadership experience to other organizations. It was about paying it forward and using my skills to help shape future success. Q: What does it mean to be a woman in the boardroom? A: My journey has been about embracing my full identity as a Latine, gay, immigrant woman, and using that experience to inspire others. The unique perspectives I bring helps broaden discussions in the boardroom and make space for diversity of thought, which is critical to the success of any organization. Q: What's your favorite mantra? A: “Respect for the individual.” This goes beyond basic politeness—it’s about bringing love and grace to every interaction. It’s the mantra that keeps me grounded and focused on the people around me, even when things aren’t perfect. Q: What's your favorite weekend ritual? A: I look forward to walking with my wife, Katherine, to Pike Place Market to buy fresh fish, especially wild Alaskan king salmon. What I love most is the sense of community—we’ve built strong relationships with our fishmonger and even our dog, Stella, is part of the experience… she expects her smoked salmon treat every Saturday. It’s a simple activity, but it reminds me of the importance of connecting and supporting local businesses. A huge thank you to Ana for being such an inspiring leader in the industry and to our Women On Boards Project community!