Journey to the Boardroom
Bauer College Hosts Discussion on Diversity in the Boardroom with EY Center for Board Matters
Published on April 18, 2019
In April, Bauer College hosted the EY Center for Board Matters for a discussion about the Journey to the Boardroom, exploring conversation on the growing diversity in the makeup of many corporate boards.
According to the EY Center for Board Matters, around 20 percent of S&P 1500 board seats are held by individuals who are 68 or older and have served on the board for 10 years or more.
The discussion, organized by the college’s Rockwell Career Center and facilitated by Bauer Interim Dean Tom George, focused on personal branding, board service and diversity. Selected students from Bauer undergraduate and graduate programs participated.
Panelists included Marcela Donadio, Board Member of Norfolk Southern, Marathon Oil and National Oilwell Varco; Dan Clifford, Associate Director, Americas Board for EY; and Valerie M. Williams, Board Member of Omnicom Group Inc., DTE Energy Company and WPX Energy, Inc.
According to the EY Center for Board Matters, around 20 percent of S&P 1500 board seats are held by individuals who are 68 or older and have served on the board for 10 years or more.
On Board Service
“You’re a role of governance and strategy. You’re looking at big issues.” – Valerie M. Williams
“It’s a balancing act. It is your responsibility to adjust to the needs of the company. When you go on board, your role isn’t to manage the company. .” – Marcela Donadio
On Board Recruitment
“The things that make you successful in your career carry over to your career in retirement. Recruiters know the value of my work.” – Valerie M. Williams
On Personal Branding
“It’s not an intentional brand, but I was focused on the energy industry. [EY] allowed me to showcase expertise and be the spokesperson for energy. It gave me a platform to demonstrate my expertise.” –Marcela Donadio
On Board Diversity
“Getting on a board is difficult because seats don’t turn over. In the last year, if you look at S&P 500 companies, only 420 board seats were appointed. Of those, 17 percent were under 50 years old. Boards are starting to look different. 33 percent of the directors added were first time board members and 60 percent of those were female or minority.” – Dan Clifford
“We are in the golden age of women being on boards.” – Marcela Donadio