October spotlight on: Leading through disruptive times

Navigating Messy Conversations

In an era marked by polarizing topics such as politics, war, and social justice, the ability to engage in constructive dialogue is more crucial than ever. On the blog, Athena coach Nakisha Hicks, MBA, PHR and guest Alalá Linda (f/k/a Linda Alvarez) share insights on how to approach these difficult discussions with authenticity and vulnerability.

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Investor Expectations of Audit Committees

Earlier this month, several Athena members attended and spoke at the NACD Directors Summit. On the blog, read Amy O'Connor 's key insights on the critical investor expectations of audit committees. Her thoughtful analysis breaks down the evolving landscape of governance and how boards can better align with investor priorities, making it a must-read for those navigating the complexities of board service today.

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Athena Academy

Early Registration Open for Winter 2025

Early registration is open for our Athena Academy Winter 2025 cohorts! Get up to $500 off when you register early.

• Board Readiness | Starts Jan 21, 2025 | Learn More
• NEW Architect Your Next Chapter | Starts Jan 16, 2025 | Learn More
• COMING SOON Become an Investor | Request Info
• COMING SOON Build a Company | Request Info

If you're interested in learning more about Athena Academy's programs, we'd love to speak with you! Email [email protected] or book a call to discuss with our membership consultant.

About Athena Academy

Coaches Corner

Non-Traditional Board Journeys with Andrea Bonime-Blanc

In a recent Salon, Athena coach Andrea Bonime-Blanc dove into the evolving nature of the boardroom and the various paths to get there. Here are our top takeaways:

1. Association boards are valuable entry points into the boardroom ecosystem. They offer opportunities to build relationships, gain credibility, and develop governance skills.
2. The traditional path to the boardroom—often reserved for sitting or former CEOs, CFOs, and financial experts—is evolving. As the business landscape shifts, so do the routes to board service. Non-traditional candidates are increasingly being considered, which paves the way for greater board diversity and a wider recognition of the value of varied experiences.
3. Continuous learning and governance expertise are critical. Stay current and deepen governance knowledge to make meaningful contributions at the board level.
4. Due diligence is essential for aspiring board members. It's important to carefully evaluate whether one’s skills align with the board's needs and if the board itself is a good cultural and strategic fit.

Athena has over 25 top-tier executive coaches to help members reach their biggest goals. To learn more about Athena membership, visit our website.

Virtual Salons

WCEO Perspectives with Wendy Thomas, CEO of SecureWorks

Mon, Nov 4 at 9:00am PT

Athena is excited to partner with Hypatia Women CEO ETF for a special edition of Athena’s CEO Perspectives Salon series!

The first Salon will feature Wendy Thomas , CEO of Secureworks , a global cybersecurity company. With over 25 years of experience in strategic and functional leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Product Officer, and VP Strategy and M&A, Wendy will share her inspiring journey to the role of CEO. This series showcases the diverse paths and leadership approaches of female CEOs in Hypatia Capital’s groundbreaking WCEO ETF . Please join us in supporting and learning from these incredible Women CEOs.

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CHRO Perspectives with Sheri Bronstein, CHRO at Bank of America

Wed, Oct 30 at 9:00am PT

With her vast experience leading global teams and shaping a workplace culture focused on performance, inclusion, and employee well-being, Sheri brings invaluable insight into the evolving role of Chief People Officers. She is passionate about using data and analytics to drive HR advancements and led the publication of the company’s inaugural Human Capital Management Report.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to hear from one of the top CHROs in the world by joining Coco Brown and Belen Gomez for this knowledge-packed Salon.

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Chair[wo]man of the Board

Wed, Nov 6 at 9:00am PT

Join us for a powerful salon featuring Gayle Crowell , a distinguished C-suite and boardroom leader with deep expertise in governance and board leadership. Drawing on her extensive experience as Chairman of the Board and strategic advisor, Gayle will share actionable insights into excelling as a Board Chair, from mastering governance principles to making critical decisions that drive organizational success. She’ll explore the path to board leadership and the vital skills to support an organization’s highest objectives.

If you're aspiring to board leadership or looking to enhance your impact in your current role, don’t miss this chance to gain knowledge from one of Silicon Valley’s most seasoned experts. Belen Gomez

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Member News & Celebrations

Congratulations to our members on their recent achievements

• Christine Gorjanc was appointed to the Board at Polestar
• Cindy Runger was appointed to the Board of Trustees at Pacific Northwest Ballet
• Debra Weissman was appointed VP and Head of Product at Tessitura
• Glenda Dorchak received the inaugural SJMA Visionary Award
• Jane Li was named a 2024 honoree of the NACD Directorship 100
• Jen Luther was appointed to the Advisory Board at Eternal Me
• Jen Millard was appointed to the Board at Colby College
• Karen Francis was named a 2024 honoree of the NACD Directorship 100
• Lilia Shirman joined True Global Ventures as GP-in-Residence
• Mary Smith was awarded the In-House Thought Leadership award at the Women Influence & Power in Law Conference
• Michele Colucci was appointed to the Advisory Board & Board Chair at GLX Analytix
• Sandy Carter was appointed to the Board at The Secret Network Foundation
• Sharon Gabrielson was appointed to the Board at MOREgroup
• Suja Chandrasekaran was named a 2024 honoree of the NACD Directorship 100
• Taneshia Nash Laird was appointed Executive Director of Project REAP
• Toni Townes-Whitley was named to Fortune's 100 Most Powerful Women in Business list
• Toni Townes-Whitley was named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Northern VA
• Vanessa Fernandes was appointed Global Head of Digital Solutions at State Street

Welcome new members

We are thrilled to welcome this month’s new members to the Athena community. They include Chief Officers, VPs, and Founders in human resources, finance, and information technology. They come to us from leading organizations such as Mastercard, Intel, and Kimberly-Clark.