Elisse B. Walter
Elisse B. Walter was appointed Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission by President George W. Bush and served beginning in July 2008. She was designated the 30th Chairman of
ABOUT US
The mission of DirectWomen is to increase the representation of women lawyers on corporate boards.
Nearly 40% of DirectWomen alumni have been elected to serve on at least one corporate board.
OUR VALUE PROPOSITION
Research by Catalyst and many other organizations, including McKinsey & Company and Credit Suisse, reveals that companies with women board members, particularly those with three or more women board members, financially outperform, on average, those with fewer or no women board members.
Empirical studies indicate that lawyer-directors’ professional judgment, legal expertise, and familiarity with regulation and risk management improve the value and operation of the company.
Do you know a company that is seeking qualified candidates for their board of directors? Find out more information about DirectWomen’s alumni via our online database or email DirectWomen’s Executive Director, Shawn Taylor Kaminski, at skaminski@directwomen.org or call DirectWomen at (833) 239-6636 for specialized board recommendations.
OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
DirectWomen is pleased to offer a variety of virtual video programs. To watch past programs, visit our on-demand virtual programs library.
SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR BOARD EXCELLENCE AWARD LUNCHEON
At the Luncheon, DirectWomen presents awards that celebrate lawyer directors and excellence in board service. DirectWomen’s awards include: the Sandra Day O’Connor Board Excellence Award, the Distinguished Alumna Award, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Corporate Board Award, and the Mary Ann Jorgenson Board Empowerment Award.
BOARD INSTITUTE
The annual Board Institute is a key way in which DirectWomen fulfills its mission.
More than 285 lawyers have participated in the Board Institute over the past 18 years and provide a rich pool of director candidates.
INTERNATIONAL BOARDS PROGRAM
In 2023, DirectWomen hosted its first-ever program outside the United States, Unlocking the Secrets of International Board Opportunities, in London. The sold-out program brought together more than 100 CEOs, board directors, search firm executives, general counsel, top law firm leaders, and aspiring board directors.
Seeing a demand for DirectWomen’s unique programming abroad, the organization held its International Boards Program again in 2024 at the United States of America Embassy in London. The program sold-out again in 2024, with nearly double the capacity.
The 2025 International Boards Program will be held at the London Stock Exchange in June.
SUCCESS STORIES
Veta T. Richardson
Veta T. Richardson has been President and CEO of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) since July 1, 2011. ACC is the world’s largest not-for-profit corporation dedicated exclusively to serving chief legal and
Sheri H. Edison
Until her retirement in June, 2021, Sheri Edison served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Amcor plc, a global leader in the development and production of responsible packaging