BACKGROUND
In 2003, Harvard Business School (HBS) and the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) launched a comprehensive executive education program on corporate governance. This four-day program is the result of a collaborative effort between these two organizations to increase the effectiveness and presence of Hispanics in the corporate boardrooms. The program is part of HACR's overall initiative on corporate governance, which includes research on Hispanics serving on major public companies' boards, relationships with executive search firms, and a database of Hispanic board candidates.
INTRODUCTION
Increased scrutiny about director independence by regulators and shareholders has corporate boards actively pursuing outside, independent directors. What role does diversity play in the corporate boardroom? While many governance committees require that search firms interview sitting CEOs only for the potential directorship positions, independence has begun to compel governance committees and search firms to look outside that small pool.
Currently, Hispanics hold less than 2 percent of Fortune board seats, yet mandates for independence from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the trend toward larger boards to accommodate increased director responsibilities sets the stage for greater participation of Hispanic talent in corporate boardrooms.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The HACR/HBS Executive Education Program on Corporate Development: Leadership in the Boardroom was designed and developed by HBS faculty for existing and prospective corporate board members, c-level executives, as well as leaders in the areas of business, non-profit, academia and government.
This program explores critical issues ranging from board composition, director selection, and compensation...to the board's role in strategic planning, overseeing financial reporting and disclosure, and top-management succession. Participants leave the program with skills and strategies for adding significant value to the contributions of their boards and specific ideas for improving these boards.
PARTICIPANT MIX
Leadership in the Boardroom is intended exclusively for existing and prospective Hispanic corporate board members, including C-level executives, as well as Hispanic leaders in the areas of business, nonprofit, academia, and government. For more information, please contact Valerie M. Reyes at (202) 835-9672 or via e-mail at hbs@hacr.org
