Celebrating 15 Years

VIEW THE TIMELINE
DONATE

50 Women to Watch: Applicant Process and Criteria

Nominations for the 2025 50 Women to Watch cohort open on March 7, 2025, and close on April 30, 2025.

The 50 Women to Watch list identifies and recognizes outstanding women professionals who have not yet served on a public company board but possess the skills and experience to do so.

Eligibility

Eligible nominees must be women professionals based in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. Finalists must confirm that they do not currently serve on a publicly traded company board, though service on nonprofit or private boards is permitted but not required.

Selection Process

In May 2025, after the nomination period closes, the 50/50 Women on Boards team will carefully review all applications to ensure completeness, including:

  • Name, email, and country
  • Professional expertise and leadership experience
  • Current board experience (if applicable)
  • CV/resume, headshot, and video submission

Applicants must review their entries and agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before submission.

The Selection Committee, composed of corporate board directors and governance leaders, will rigorously evaluate nominees based on their expertise, experience, and readiness for board service. After a thorough review, the committee will select 50 outstanding finalists.

Scoring Methodology

The selection process is designed to identify the most qualified and accomplished women for public company board service through a comprehensive and structured evaluation system.

  • 49% of the score is based on expertise and experience, recognizing candidates with proven leadership in their fields.
  • 51% is based on a holistic review of written responses, resumes, video submissions, references, and overall presentation.

Each nominee is scored on a 1-5 or 1-10 scale, with no single category exceeding 15 points to ensure a balanced assessment. The committee also considers:

  • Diversity of experience across industries and sectors
  • Leadership roles and career achievements
  • Geographic, racial, and ethnic diversity

After scoring, the top 50 nominees with the highest overall scores will be selected as 2025 honorees.

For more information or to submit an application, visit 5050wob.com.

 

Linkedin X-twitter Instagram Youtube Facebook

PREVIOUSLY 2020 WOMEN ON BOARDS

Code of Conduct: Governing Data & Emerging Tech

Boards are no longer observers of emerging technology; they are stewards of how it’s governed. This panel goes beyond awareness to examine how directors can structure oversight, define accountability, and measure governance effectiveness in AI, data use, and digital innovation. Panelists will share practical strategies for building governance systems that ensure transparency, ethical decision-making, and responsible innovation at scale.

Speakers include: Sita Lowman, Nithya Das, Suresh Sharma, Byron Loflin

Your First Board Meeting: A Director’s Playbook

Designed for aspiring and newly appointed directors, this session offers practical guidance on how to step confidently into your first boardroom. Learn what to expect in early meetings, how to contribute with purpose, and how to quickly build credibility and trust among seasoned peers. Gain insight into board dynamics, unspoken protocols, and the critical questions new directors should be ready to ask and answer.

Tactics that Work: Case Studies in Navigating Shareholder Activism

In this tactical, director-focused session, participants will engage in case-based exercises to dissect real campaigns and pressure scenarios. From activist letters to proxy fights, explore how boards can craft strategic responses that reinforce governance integrity, protect corporate reputation, and align with long-term priorities. Walk away with actionable tactics and frameworks to strengthen board preparedness in the face of growing investor scrutiny.

Inside the Boardroom: Resilience Planning in Action

This interactive session places directors inside the boardroom during moments of disruption. Through tabletop exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will explore how boards can apply structured frameworks to assess geopolitical risk, anticipate threats, and make decisive decisions under pressure. Designed as a classroom-style session, this breakout provides practical tools to strengthen oversight and build a proactive board response strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.

Reputation & Response: How Boards Navigate Shareholder Activism

As shareholder activism intensifies, boards face mounting pressure to defend strategy, protect corporate reputation, and engage stakeholders with clarity. This panel brings together seasoned directors to explore how boards can respond effectively while maintaining credibility, board alignment, and stakeholder trust. Hear real-world insights on navigating activism in today’s high-stakes, high-visibility environment.

Speakers include: Gaby Sulzberger, David Cahoy, Rachael Coffey, Eduardo Gallego

Navigating Global Markets: Trade, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Strategy

As global disruptions reshape business models, this panel will explore how boards can navigate the practical complexities of trade, tariffs, and supply chain shifts across regions. Panelists will share how directors are guiding companies through regulatory changes, sourcing challenges, and new market risks, while seizing opportunities for growth and operational agility.

Speakers include: Titi Cole, Mia Mends

Strengthening Oversight: Risk Management and Board Resilience

This keynote will equip directors to think globally about risk through the lens of geopolitical foresight, cross-border tensions, and long-term instability. Learn how boards can strengthen oversight and guide enterprise-wide resilience by anticipating disruption and embedding a proactive risk culture in a changing world.

Speakers include: Rodger Baker