By Kim Perry, TRUST President
Recently the TRUST asked members what event topics and speakers they would like to see. I (we) love to hear YOUR ideas! We’ve covered a lot of topics over the years, and many are timeless.
In fact, one such ageless topic is the path to board service, which came up as a response to our call for topics. Board service is a subject we’ll continue to explore, and it’s worth noting we have touched on this topic previously in 2020 and 2021. As TRUST members, you have access to our webinar library, where you can find this content and more.
As a teaser, here are the abstracts for the board service webinars we have in the webinar library currently:
- Your Journey to Your First Board Seat (June 2020) Are you considering whether a board seat is the right step for you? Where do you start? Listen in while Mary Anne Mason, CEO of Mason Strategic Advisors, and Sharon Gabrielson, President and CEO of SRG Associates, share insights into their board journeys. Learn about the different types of boards, how they developed their plans, and the lessons they learned along the way so you can be better prepared for your own journey.
- Trade Associations – A CEO Perspective on Building a Board (March 2021) This session focuses on trade association boards where individuals are typically invited to join due to their positions and influence in the community. Peter Frosch, CEO, GREATER MSP; Shaye Mandle, COO, Biotechnology Innvotion; Jeff Tollefson, President and CEO, Minnesota Technology Association, discuss how they built and utilize their highly influential boards, and what they expect from their board members.
- Landing a Seat on a For-Profit Board (June 2021) Getting on your first board will require a combination of readiness factors. As you plan your journey, it is critical to understand the board recruitment process. Hear insights from top board recruiters on the essential steps you can take to position yourself as a stand-out candidate! Panelists include Gilbert Carrara, Jim King-Witt Kieffer and Robin Toft, along with moderator Sharon Gabrielson.
As President of the TRUST, I can tell you firsthand that board service is not just a commitment; it’s a deeply meaningful journey that often becomes very personal. Serving on a board allows individuals to connect with their core values, channel their expertise into positive change and collaborate with a diverse group of minds to impact an organization.
If you’re interested in board service, check out the webinar sessions noted above. And check out the webinar library list for other topics of interest.
One final note—be sure to share your ideas on program topics (leadership, working moms, career development, health care industry and more) and speakers via email at [email protected]. You can help us continue to provide programs that are meaningful and transformative!
Kim Perry serves as the 2023 TRUST President and is a health care consultant, board member and advisor to various organizations. Kim is passionate about women in leadership and was honored as Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal’s 2020 Women in Business. She is also dedicated to improving access to high-quality health care for the underserved. Kim was recently Board Chair of Neighborhood Health Source, a federally qualified health center.