A Board Contributor is someone who participates in the governance activities of a company’s Board of Directors, such as board meetings and committees but does not vote. The Contributor can also provide leadership, such as coaching management, making professional introductions to new customers or capital, and helping companies attract talent.

The Board Contributor position was created by AFARA Governance Inc. as a succession and diversity strategy that gives corporate governance experience to women a skip-level from the C-Suite and brings diverse talent to a Board. By stepping into this introductory role first, the Contributor builds strong relationships with Management and the Board, bridging the trust gap that can preclude Boards from selecting these talented candidates.

The roles are similar, but unlike traditional Board Observers, a Board Contributor is not a note-taker.
Board Contributors contribute their valuable perspectives to the Board in a win-win for everyone. 

The Board Contributor attends all meetings of the Board of Directors, and actively participates in select committee meetings. The Board Contributor is not a Director, and as such, does not have any voting rights. Board Contributors are invited to listen and observe meetings of the Board of Directors, offering any comments to the Board Chair via email memos. The Contributor is also invited to attend select committee meetings. Given the succession needs of the Board, the Contributor’s committee assignment could be where an opening is next expected. At committee meetings, the Board Contributor is invited to openly ask questions and make comments throughout the meeting. In signing the Board Contributor agreement, the Board Contributor is committed to keep all company information confidential. The Contributor is not a Section 16 officer nor subject to SEC Rule 44, but is an Insider and subject to the company’s insider trading policies. 

The Board Contributor may serve the company in a number of professional ways, including but not limited to,

• Coaching members of the management team,

• Deep dives on parts of the company strategy (such as diversity and inclusion, operations, or mergers and acquisitions),

• Helping with talent acquisition, or

• Providing introductions to prospective partners, customers or funding.

Contributors are highly-qualified professionals who, after 6-18 months in the Contributor role, would likely be ready to step up into a Director role. Board members will have dozens of professional and social interactions with the Contributor that build confidence in the Contributor’s skills and abilities, and trust in the Contributor’s character. 

Compensation varies from company to company, but we recommend that Contributors are compensated $50,000 annually, in equity and/or cash, in a 1099 capacity. Compensation is critical to attract the best talent for individuals who may one day be appointed into Director roles. Furthermore, the compensation reinforces the value the Contributor will add to the board through their participation. Of note, the Contributor is not a Section 16 officer nor subject to SEC Rule 44, but is an Insider and subject to the company’s confidentiality and/or insider trading policies. 

Reach out to AFARA Governance Inc. to get started. We will help you step-by-step to identify and onboard a talented Contributor who has been trained for this unique role. Most importantly, AFARA will provide monthly coaching for your Contributor to amplify their impact and make your business better. 

Contact: tamara@afaragovernance.org

The company will draft a Board Contributor agreement to define the relationship and expectations, which includes:

• Confidentiality

• Insider Trading policy

• Compensation

• Term

Research indicates that a board with diverse genders, races, ages, ethnicities, perspectives, expertise, skills and experiences results in increased profitability, productivity, innovation and workforce engagement. Gender diversity improves board performance and bottom lines. And today’s stakeholders want to see diversity on the leadership team. 

AFARA applicants should be women with at least 10 years of professional experience. The ideal candidate currently serves in a senior role, just 0-2 skip levels away from the C-Suite, as a Director, Vice President or similar. Our applicants are motivated and looking for a bridge to the next stage of leadership and ownership through corporate governance. Apply here

. Complete and submit our online application form, then send a current resume to tamara@afaragovernance.org. After receiving your application and resume, we will reach out to you to discuss opportunities with AFARA Governance Inc. AFARA accepts eligible applicants on a rolling basis. No membership fees required and no cost to apply. 

No. There are no membership fees required and no cost to apply. There are also no fees for executive education, coaching or placement as a Board Contributor. Our company sponsors subsidize these costs.

Yes. As an organization, we value diversity, inclusivity, and representation in corporate governance. 

 'Afara' is the Yoruba word for 'bridge'. Yoruba is spoken in West Africa, primarily in Nigeria. AFARA Governance Inc. works to bridge the gap in gender equity in corporate governance. We provide a bridge for highly qualified women who want to move up to the boardroom and a bridge for boards who need help identifying the most valuable and diverse perspectives for board seats.