Are You Ready to Become a WBC Board Member?

For anyone who knows me, my dedication to the Women's Bond Club (The Club), is not a surprise. For the past 20 years, I’ve committed myself wholeheartedly to The Club’s mission of advancing women’s leadership across financial services and creating pathways for growth.

As the sitting Vice President of the Board, I've been privileged to witness the transformative power of our dedicated volunteer members to drive our mission forward and ensure all women have the chance at a rewarding career in our industry.

With The Club’s recent open call for board member nominations, I wanted to share my own journey within the organization--from a new member to a board member --to illustrate the power of service and the impact we can make when we come together with a shared purpose.?

My Journey: From Member to Vice President

My journey with The Club began in February 2003 when I was sponsored by, Sarah Diamond, a former Club board member, Co-President, and recipient of the prestigious 2011 Merit Award. Under her mentorship, I was inspired to become a leader in my own right and carve a path for women in the IT Services and Consulting industry.

Through my involvement with The Club over the course of many years, representing corporate member firms and serving in various capacities, I discovered my passion for driving change and eliminating workplace inequalities.

This commitment led to my 高知特 Cognizant nomination to the board in 2019. Since then, I’ve been honored to serve as Secretary before assuming the role of Vice President. During this time, I’ve learned what it takes to not just become a board member, but an effective, results-driven board member.?

What It Takes to Become a Board Member

Becoming a board member requires more than just a title; it’s not a vanity role or resume padding exercise. A board role with The Club demands your attention, a dedication to advancing women's leadership and a willingness to lead by example. When we consider board nominations, we evaluate submissions against the 10 qualities each of our board members embodies, including:

1.???? Communication: Clear and effective communication that ensures alignment and fosters collaboration.

2.???? Commitment: Dedication to the organization's mission and values that drive meaningful impact.

3.???? Accountability: Taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions safeguarding integrity and trust.

4.???? Leadership: Guiding and inspiring others to achieve collective goals to drive progress.

5.???? Fiduciary Oversight: Ensuring responsible management of resources and finances to protect the organization's financial health and sustainability.

6.???? Curiosity: A continuous desire to learn and adapt that fosters innovation and resilience.

7.???? Connections: Building and nurturing relationships that expand opportunities for collaboration and growth.

8.???? Inclusivity: Embracing diversity of thought and perspectives to drive creativity and effectiveness.

9.???? Giving: Contributing time, expertise, and resources to enrich the collective impact of the board.

10.? Fun: Cultivating a positive and enjoyable atmosphere to spur engagement and motivation.

If this sounds like the organization is expecting a lot from its board members, that’s because it does.

As industry trailblazers, each of us has a strong connection to the Club’s long-standing values that have guided the organization for 100 years: We lead with our experience. We learn from our finance community. We return to ensure our legacy of giving back.

The sentiment of these values is at the heart and soul of what the The Club means to our members. It is our experience, our community and our legacy. All of which we need to protect and advance. ?

Showing Readiness and Commitment

Board readiness goes beyond the 10 qualities I mentioned above and a mere desire to be on a board. It requires a track record of commitment to our organization, a genuine interest in the movement, a sincere effort to work together to achieve shared goals and a generous giving of your time.

In addition to the formal application process, candidates who fulfill the board criteria, and our Rising Stars who aspire to board roles in the future, can demonstrate their readiness for a board position by actively engaging with the organization through various avenues, like:

·??????? Becoming a CMF liaison.

·??????? Volunteering for committees to demonstrate a willingness to contribute and learn.

·??????? Providing recommendations for improvements to process or programming to reflect a proactive approach to organizational growth.

·??????? Collaborating on events to showcase your initiative and teamwork.

·??????? Sharing the organization’s communications to amplify reach and impact.

·??????? Participating in our events to foster connections and engagement. ?

Are You Ready?

As we open the call for board member nominations, I challenge each of you to ask yourselves these two questions:

1.???? Do you have what it takes to be an inspiring leader who can motivate others and enact change?

?2.???? Are you willing to dedicate your time and expertise to furthering our mission of empowerment and progress?

?Here’s to the Future and Ongoing Legacy of the Club.

I am excited to welcome a new cohort of trailblazers to join us on this journey. Together, let us lock arms and march forward, unwavering in our commitment to making a difference. With your passion, dedication, and leadership, I am not only confident that we will continue to fulfill the promise of The Club, but also empower each other to reach new heights.

Are you ready to be a part of something greater than yourself? Join us, and let’s make history together.

Written by Diana Butler Buxton

2023/2024 WBC Board - Alarice Cesareo Lonergan , Cheryl Geremia Perrin Gunduy - Abbondanza Jennifer Stewart Robin Prunty Donna Wilson Nicole Clopton Meagan Smith Lupin Rahman, PhD Tera Hatler Ivette Collazo Brittany Mancuso Schmidt Aoiffe McGarry Paige Maire Michele Travis Kim Bozzella Mary Burke IBM PIMCO S&P Global 花旗 普华永道 安永 美国银行 Protiviti LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) 瑞银集团 Invesco US