Kathleen M. Mahoney
Kathleen M. Mahoney is and Independent Board Member of Village Farms International (NASDAQ VFF), the former President MDV and Chief Legal Officer of SpartanNash Company (Fortune 500/NASDAQ SPTN), a food
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
Lisa J. Brown
Lisa J. Brown is an accomplished global C-suite executive and corporate Board member with diverse experience in a variety of industries including, automotive, transportation technology, consumer healthcare and pharma, medical
Marla S. Persky
Marla Persky is CEO and President of WOMN LLC, a company dedicated to helping women succeed in the business of law by increasing their knowledge of and acuity with financial