Building Stronger Boards: Expert Insights on Effective Board Development

Oct 15, 2025

Building Stronger Boards: Expert Insights on Effective Board Development

Every high-performing group, whether in the area or in the conference room, flourishes on prep work, mentoring and constant discovering. This concept is used similarly to not-for-profit, instructional, and public boards that shape communities and establishments. For these boards to do successfully, both cumulative and individual growth are important. 

 
We talked with specialists across sectors who shared their perspectives on why board development is vital, exactly how it profits companies and how the right devices, like Dess Digital Meetings, can equip governance quality. 
 

Why Board Growth Matters 

Steve Schroeder, Board Participant, Sun Prairie Area Institution District, Wisconsin: 
“Board development is crucial. If the board expects the organization to have a continuous enhancement mindset, so should the board.” 
 
Diarmaid Ó Corrbuí, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, Carmichael: 
“Not-for-profit boards often think twice to buy their very own training, but that’s a blunder. Reliable administration demands recognizing obligations, compliance duties and the wider operating atmosphere.” 
 
Dr. Chad Bledsoe, Head Of State, Montgomery Neighborhood University: 
“Professional growth for public-facing boards ensures members are outfitted to take care of neighborhood communications and dilemmas confidently.” 
 
Dr. Anna Everett, Vice Head Of State and Trustee, Santa Barbara City College: 
“Accountability, transparency, and liability go to the heart of every public-facing board. Continual growth strengthens these values and constructs reputation.” 
 

Clearing up the Function of a Board Member 

Katharine Earhart, Partner and Co-Founder, Fairlight Advisors: 
“Training aids board members comprehend their fiduciary duties and the limits of their function. It ensures they can give solid oversight and line up administration with mission.” 
 
Elizabeth Thompson, Corporate Assistant, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network: 
“Our organization focuses on onboarding, continuous education, and examination. This structured technique makes certain every member contributes effectively.” 
 
Julie Castro Abrams, Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Exactly How Women Lead: 
“Boards need to be clear about their objective and obligations. When participants recognize their calculated worth, they come to be energetic factors to success.” 
 

Embedding Growth right into Administration 

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew, Head Of State, Soulstice Consultancy: 
“Governance education need to be part of every board’s DNA. Advancement should not simply happen once a year; it should be continuous.” 
 
Ben Niehaus, Director of Member Solutions, Wisconsin Organization of School Boards: 
“Establishing clear board standards helps preserve decorum, transparency, and dependability, especially during tough conversations.” 
 
Helen Warwick, Former School Board Trustee: 
“Actively seek expertise. Read. Listen. Pick up from several resources. A solid board is a learning board.” 
 
Every organization encounters different difficulties, but the principles of efficient administration remain the exact same: onboarding, fiduciary recognition, team effort, and compliance. 
 
With Dess Digital Meetings, boards can systematize advancement possibilities, governance sources, and training products in one secure platform, making learning available, measurable and joint. 
 

Preparing the Leadership Team for the Future 

Boards also have to concentrate on establishing future leaders and diversifying abilities. Katharine Earhart suggests cultivating a pipe of fully committed board participants prepared for leadership functions. Gwen Dombroski emphasizes clear processes and public incorporation, while Gwen K. Young highlights the expanding significance of cyber-governance and AI readiness. 
 
Whether it’s intending sequence, improving digital awareness, or dealing with evolving administration obstacles, aggressive board growth ensures the company continues to be durable and positive. 
 

Empowering Development with Dess Digital Meetings 

Board management software programs like Dess Digital Meetings enable seamless training, collaboration, and performance monitoring all within a safe digital atmosphere. Boards can: 
  • Shop and access training resources and governance plans. 
  • Conduct annual board assessments. 
  • Handle development plans within their administration calendar. 
  • Track progress and share end results for better transparency. 
 
As Diarmaid Ó Corrbuí places it, 
“Board participant training and advancement does not stop at induction– it has to be continuous and embedded in the governance calendar.” 
 
No matter the sort of board– community, educational, or not-for-profit– continuous growth is essential to long-lasting success.

With Dess Digital Meetings, your board is
 geared up to lead with confidence, clearness and cooperation.