From Our Founder

Founder & CEO Coco Brown shares an update on Athena Academy's Board Readiness Course.

Board Readiness

Traits of exceptional board directors

The role of a board director is not just a job; it's a legal responsibility and a unique opportunity to shape the future of an organization and drive meaningful change. What sets an exceptional board director apart? Seasoned board directors Ellen Richstone and Rochelle Campbell shared key insights in our recent Salon,?Is Board Service Right for You??Here are some valuable takeaways:

Passionate Commitment: Board service demands significant time and flexibility. Clarifying your motivation will keep you focused on driving positive outcomes, especially during challenging times.

Strategic Vision: Exceptional board directors possess a keen strategic mindset, enabling them to grasp the bigger picture and navigate a path toward long-term success.

Effective Communication: Boards are collaborative environments where effective communication is key. You must also be confident in who you are as an individual and be able to articulate the knowledge and talent you offer.

Holistic Business Acumen: Understanding how a business operates, generates revenue, and explores new markets is paramount. Cultivate curiosity and be adept at asking insightful questions for impactful decision-making.

Athena Academy Board Readiness Course: Info session

Unleash your potential as an exceptional board director by joining our next Board Readiness cohort, which begins this fall.?Join us on August 11?for an overview of the course and what you can expect to gain during this 9-week intensive program.

Sign up by July 31 and get a $500 discount!?Register now?using code 23FALLBOARD500 at checkout to secure this special offer.

The Path to CEO

The path to CEO in 18 months

Search Funds, also known as Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (EtA), provide a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to become business owners without having to start from scratch.

Athena Alliance CEO & Founder, Coco Brown, shares?her takeaways?from our recent Salon, led by Adriana Mu?oz, Karen Spencer, Rania Missoumi, and Linda Drabik, where we explored this alternative path to CEO.

CEO Perspectives Series

During our latest CEO Perspectives Salon, American Cancer Society CEO Dr. Karen Knudsen, spoke of how she advanced in the male-dominated world of academic medicine. Her insights centered around the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people...

• Seek early and ongoing mentor guidance
• Pursue opportunities that expand your sphere of people
• Find a peer group that can act as a sounding board when making bold decisions
• Foster relationships with other leaders who you can bounce ideas off of
• Never stop learning - particularly in regard to business

Join us on September 1?for our next Salon in the series featuring Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, CEO of Xero.

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Applying and scaling AI in your business

Much is being hyped about AI, but moving beyond the headlines and incorporating it into the business in a meaningful way takes strategic focus. In this salon, Data Scientist and Board Member Meghan Anzelc, along with Data and Analytics Leader, Christina Fernandes-D’Souza, unpack the specifics around how to think about and apply AI as a strategy within your company.?Join us on August 2.

Why allyship is more important than ever

Allyship is a critical piece of fostering a sustainable culture of inclusion and belonging. Drawing from both their latest research and hundreds of coaching organizations on how to foster allyship, Prism Works co-founders Daina Middleton and Corey Jones discuss why it's key, how to assess gaps, and then foster more of it in your organization.?Join us on August 3.

Member News & Celebrations

Congratulations to our members on their recent achievements

• Jessica Billingsley?was appointed to the Board of Directors at Nxu
• Lisa Davis?was appointed to the Board of Directors at Movius
• Joyce Cacho?(former) was named to the 50 Women to Watch for Boards list
• Chandra McCormack?was named to the 50 Women to Watch for Boards list
• Michelle Rider?was named to the 50 Women to Watch for Boards list
• Barbara Shurtleff?was named to the 50 Women to Watch for Boards list
• Theresa Szczurek?(former) was named to the 50 Women to Watch for Boards list

Welcome new members

We are thrilled to welcome this week’s new members to the Athena community. They include Chief Officers, Department Heads, and Senior Directors in finance, social impact, and customer success. They come to us from leading organizations such as ByteDance, Credit Karma, and Splunk.

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