Lessons learned from the world's top CEOs

CEO Perspectives

Lessons learned from top CEOs: Tips on rising into and succeeding in the CEO role

The CEO position represents the pinnacle of success in the corporate world. CEOs are often viewed as visionaries who can steer their companies through challenging times while simultaneously ensuring their businesses remain profitable. But how do you get there, and what does it take to succeed in such a high-pressure role??

We are sharing lessons learned from CEO Perspectives Salon series featuring some of the world's top CEOs: Brian Moynihan (CEO of Bank of America), Rob Brown (CEO of Lincoln International), and Tiger Tyagarajan (CEO of Genpact). Delve into their insights and?tips on how to rise to the top ?and succeed in the CEO role on the Athena blog.

Join us: A talk with MetLife CEO Michel Khalaf

Inclusive companies are 3x more likely to be high-performing and 8x more likely to be innovative. This philosophy has informed MetLife President & CEO Michel Khalaf’s approach to leadership: investing in inclusivity, racial justice, and women’s empowerment since his rise to the role in 2019.

Our monthly CEO Perspectives Series highlights the unique stories and philosophies that guide the world’s top leaders.?Join us on Friday, April 21 ?to chart your own course to the CEO role.

Ask Athena

What is the difference between a board resume and an executive resume?

Here at Athena, we like to say, “What got you here (to this point in your career) won’t get you into the boardroom.” This applies to everything—the way you present yourself, how you speak to your unique value, your reputation, your executive presence, even your voice. The same goes for your board resume and board bio.

Find out what sets a board resume apart on our?blog .

How do I evaluate an offer to join a board?

Many women in our community are anxious to join a board. However, that doesn’t mean that the first board opportunity that comes your way is the right one. So how do you know if an offer to join a board is the right fit?

Read through our checklist ?to help you make this important decision.

In the C-suite

A force for good with Christine Heckart

The majority of people in the world want the same things; however, our existing power structures often emphasize our differences – leading us to be trapped in negative cycles of competition and scarcity. Christine Heckart is envisioning a new way of thinking, a new way of belonging, and she’s devoting her life’s work to creating a world where everyone is filthy enriched.

Tune in to?Voices of Athena ?with Priscilla Brenenstuhl to learn more about the women of Athena Alliance and hear the personal tales behind their professional success.

Board Recruitment

Is a CHRO your next best board director?

People leaders are shaping the future of the boardroom in answer to the increasingly complex demands of stakeholders.?

Samantha Lorenzo, our Director of Board Recruitment & Portfolio Talent Services,?highlights the importance of HR ?and people expertise in the boardroom and offers tips for finding your perfect HR board candidate on our blog.?

Recruit your next board director with Athena

Broaden your network to find your next board director with Athena’s global network of board-ready leaders. You can work with Athena like a recruiter (for a fraction of the cost) to get a curated list of candidates perfect for your board. Or post your opportunity to our members-only platform for free and get interested candidates straight to your inbox.?Learn more here ?or by emailing?[email protected] .

Path to the Boardroom

Guide to land a board seat

It can take 2-3 years to land a board seat—even for the most qualified candidates. Learn the best practices in?The Athena Guide for Landing Your First Board Seat ?to put you on the fast-track to the boardroom. In our guide, you will learn how to:?

• Understand boardroom fundamentals?
• Align your value proposition with the right target boards for your experience?
• Develop your go-to-market strategy?
• Develop pitch materials that tell your career story & value?
• Get yourself out there and apply to board opportunities?
• Ace the board interview and ultimately land the board seat

Accelerate your journey to the boardroom

Improve your chances of breaking into the boardroom with our signature?Athena Accelerator . For the month of April, we're offering a special 10% discount to help you get started on your board journey.?

Sign up ?for the Athena Accelerator program today using the code MEMBER10ACC to take advantage of this limited-time offer.

Join Us

The Russell 3000 and beyond: Understanding the landscape and your place in it

Join us on May 18 for an exclusive event featuring our Founder & CEO, Coco Brown, as she shares her expert insights on the Russell 3000, one of the most prominent and influential business indices. Through her unique perspective, Coco will provide a holistic view of the business landscape and offer valuable guidance on finding your place within it.?Register here.

Breaking the burnout cycle: 3 steps to reclaim your life and rediscover joy

Women leaders face burnout at higher rates than men, with 43% reporting feeling burned out compared to 31%. This drive for validation and recognition can lead to sacrificing our own well-being.

On April 19, join Intentional Living Expert Megan Miller to?learn three micro-steps ?to take back control and rediscover joy in your life.

Member News & Celebrations

Congratulations to our members on their recent achievements

• Barbara Kurshan was awarded the IT Innovator Award and the Globant Global Board Executive Award
• Carol Coughlin was nominated to the Board of Directors of Electriq Power
• Catherine Lewi was appointed to the Board of Blue Trail Software

Welcome new members

We are thrilled to welcome this week’s new members to the Athena community. They include Founders, SVPs, and VPs in people, operations, and product. They come to us from leading organizations such as?Salesforce,?UBS Financial Services, and?Bain & Company.

Join Athena