December 13, 2024 | The Yale Club, New York
Board Harbor Foundation’s Dinners with Directors series reached new heights with its New York debut at the prestigious Yale Club. This landmark event brought together 25 governance leaders for an evening that represented the series’ most sophisticated and impactful gathering to date.
The Yale Club’s elegant Saybrook Ballroom provided the perfect backdrop for this milestone event. The venue’s prestige matched the caliber of attendees, creating an atmosphere befitting the high-level governance discussions that would unfold throughout the evening. Professional photography, videography, and custom place cards demonstrated the series’ evolution into a premium experience for corporate leadership.
The December event showcased Board Harbor’s collaborative approach to leadership, with welcome remarks from Founder Edmund Green, followed by insights from Board Chair Francisco J. Leija and co-hosts Michael Clarke and Jason Hope. This multi-voice approach enriched the evening’s content and demonstrated the depth of expertise within Board Harbor’s network.
Melinda Newman, an experienced independent board director and SEC-qualified audit committee financial expert, anchored the evening’s educational component. With over 20 years of expertise in investment management, financial analysis, ESG integration, and corporate governance, Newman provided attendees with cutting-edge insights into driving shareholder value and enhancing operational performance.
Her engaging presentation style and deep expertise created meaningful dialogue about the future of board governance in an increasingly complex business environment.
The event’s refined format featured five-person tables with Board Harbor representatives strategically placed to guide conversations. This thoughtful curation ensured that the 70% board members and 30% aspiring board members could engage in substantive discussions about governance challenges and opportunities.
The evening began with a cocktail reception featuring an in-room bar setup, allowing for organic networking before transitioning to the carefully orchestrated dinner experience.
The December event achieved something remarkable in the events industry, a perfect Net Promoter Score of 100. All survey respondents rated their likelihood of recommending the event as 9 or 10 out of 10, with no neutral or negative feedback. This exceptional result reflects both the quality of the experience and the value attendees derived from their participation.
The New York event introduced attendees to Board Harbor’s broader ecosystem, including upcoming opportunities like the annual governance retreat. This expansion of offerings demonstrates how Dinners with Directors serves as a gateway to deeper engagement with Board Harbor’s mission of advancing corporate governance excellence.
As testimonials poured in praising the “tremendously engaging dialogue” and opportunities to connect with “such a smart, passionate, insightful group,” it became clear that Dinners with Directors had evolved from a promising concept into an essential gathering for governance professionals.
The series now stands as a model for how thoughtful curation, expert content, and genuine relationship-building can create transformative experiences for corporate leaders. With events in Washington D.C. and New York establishing strong foundations, Board Harbor Foundation is well-positioned to expand this impactful series to additional markets.
The December event proved that when you bring together the right people, in the right setting, with the right content, magic happens, and boards become stronger as a result.