Jana Cohen Barbe
Jana Barbe is an accomplished and highly regarded director of both public and private companies wielding a keen and perceptive understanding of boardroom dynamics, a strong background in governance and
The annual Board Institute is a key way in which DirectWomen fulfills its mission. The goal of this annual two-day program is to position an elite group of exceptional senior women lawyers for service as directors of major corporations.
Each year, DirectWomen identifies a small group of leading women lawyers from around the country to participate in the Board Institute based on an assessment of their ability to provide the experience, independence, and business judgment required for board effectiveness. The Institute is Chaired by Professor Hillary A. Sale. The Board Institute provides working sessions designed to help participants develop their value proposition and personal board-search strategies. At the Board Institute, the class meets with an extraordinary faculty comprised of CEOs, C-suite executives, and directors of public companies, to discuss key issues facing corporate directors such as the board’s nominating and governance role, ESG, and other relevant topics. The class also meets with DirectWomen honorees and alumnae, many of whom have extensive board experience. The Board Institute also provides opportunities to learn from senior search firm executives.
The application for the 2025 Board Institute is now closed. Please email yechevarria@52.86.209.117 to be notified when
our application for 2026 opens.
More than 270 women have participated in the Board Institute over the past 16 years and provide a rich pool of director candidates. Past Board Institute classes have been comprised of General Counsel of Fortune 500 companies, partners at top law firms, and leading lawyers from government and academia. These distinguished women lawyers represent a wide range of business knowledge and experience in their industries, which include finance, energy, retail, media, and pharmaceuticals, among others. To learn more about DirectWomen’s Board Institute alumnae, visit our alumnae biography and resume database.
SUCCESS STORIES
Barbara Finigan Fitzgerald
Barbara Finigan is a corporate director, strategic advisor, and retired C-Suite executive, with extensive corporate governance, global business, and legal expertise. Barbara’s collaborative leadership at Hasbro, Inc., a $5B publicly
Pamela F. Craven
Pamela Craven is the former Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of Avaya Inc., a leading global provider of collaboration and communications networks and services for businesses.