Have you ever thought about serving on a corporate, nonprofit, or advisory board, but didn’t know where to begin? Whether you’re seeking influence, impact, or a second act after an accomplished career, this playbook will show you how to land a board seat that’s right for you.
Anyone can join a board if you know how to crack the code.
Wanted → A Board Career is not just about gaining a title. It’s about shaping the future of organizations while creating meaning, legacy, and impact in your own life.
This step-by-step playbook will help you:
- Understand the different types of boards and how to target the right ones for you.
- Translate your career accomplishments into board-ready skills.
- Build a powerful narrative that attracts attention from nominating committees.
- Navigate networking and board search consultants (recruiters) with ease.
- Position yourself as a trusted board member who adds value from day one.
This book shows you how to claim your seat in the boardroom. The demand has never been higher. Organizations are transforming at lightning speed and they need your insight, your leadership, and your vision to guide them into the future.
What Board Directors are saying about this comprehensive guide:
“An easy-to-read ‘how-to’ without ever being pedantic—well written, well organized, and truly comprehensive. I’ve never read a book that starts with ‘why a board’ and ends with ‘onboarding and the work really begins.’ It’s a great playbook, and like all great playbooks, it leaves room for readers to apply their own talent and creativity.”
- Stephanie Streeter, Public, private and non-profit board director and former CEO, Libbey Inc.
“A must-read roadmap for rising leaders who want a seat at the table.”
- Alison Levin, Private board director, nonprofit board chair and President, NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships
"This is by far the most comprehensive guide to pursuing a board seat that I have seen in my 57 years of sitting on boards. If I only had this book over the years, I could have saved myself thousands of hours of explaining all this to good folks who were searching."
- Dennis Cagan, Board chairman, board director and former public company CEO
"As a marketing executive, I appreciate frameworks that drive measurable outcomes. Wanted -> A Board Career delivers. If you’re serious about building a board career, this is the strategic playbook you need."
- Lesly Marban, Board director and chief marketing officer
Award-winning, best-selling author Marlo Lyons has spent more than two decades helping executives accelerate their careers, elevate their leadership impact, and navigate complex transitions with clarity and confidence. Known for inspiring, motivating, and empowering high-achieving professionals, Marlo brings a unique blend of real-world executive experience and strategic career expertise to every stage of a leader's journey.Marlo's own career spans multiple industries and disciplines-including more than a decade as a TV news reporter, followed by roles as an entertainment lawyer at NBCUniversal and Viacom, and later as an HR business partner supporting leaders in entertainment technology and medical technology. Today, as a globally certified executive, career, and team coach, she leverages this unique breadth of experience to help executives define their leadership identity, build influence, and strategically advance to the next level.Her early career began in Medford, Oregon as an associate producer for a local ABC affiliate, eventually leading her to on-air reporting roles in five cities, and culminating in a consumer investigative position for the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City. While reporting full time, Marlo earned her law degree at night, paving her path to Los Angeles where she led production risk management for reality productions across multiple cable networks. She later transitioned into HR, earning advanced certifications, and deepening her capabilities to coach leaders and teams through organizational, strategic, and personal transformation to reach optimal health and productivity.Marlo's insights on leadership, career strategy, and workplace impact are regularly featured in Harvard Business Review, CNN, Newsweek, Business Insider, and other global outlets. She is also the host of the podcast "Work Unscripted," where she brings unfiltered conversations about work, leadership, and career growth to a wide audience.Her three books-Wanted -> A Board Career, Wanted -> A New Career, and Wanted -> My First Career -are trusted guides for professionals and executives committed to leveling up, leading with purpose, and forging a fulfilled and influential career.
Naomi Kent is a strategic advisor and mentor to senior professionals who want to build a corporate board career. She spent nearly 13 years with BoardEx, one of the largest private providers of board and senior executive intelligence in the world, where she interacted with consultants and businesses that engage with all types of boards. While at BoardEx, she saw firsthand how boards operate, how individuals build board careers, and how referrals and references are made for board candidates, gaining a unique insight into the ecosystem of how boards recruit. Naomi is a trusted partner to the C-suite, senior professionals, and board members, a strategic advisor to those seeking board seats, and a motivating force behind positive career change.
