Deadline:
April 14, 2025
Location(s)
Canada Online
Overview
THE RISE ON BOARDS PROGRAM IS BUILDING MORE EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE BOARDROOMS ACROSS CANADA.
By training and placing emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds at the board table for the first time, Rise on Boards is reimagining decision-making spaces, and we want YOU to be part of it!
Details
ABOUT OUR RISE ON BOARDS PROGRAM
Since 2017, Fora's Rise on Boards program (formerly Girls on Boards) has trained and placed 170 emerging leaders from a range of backgrounds and experiences at the board table for the first time.
These Young Directors champion gender equity and shape decision-making on governance boards across Canada.
Prior to their board appointment, Young Directors receive in-depth training from expert facilitators in matters of governance, financials, fundraising, communications, problem-solving, and leadership. Throughout their term, each Young Director is supported by a pre-selected board member and volunteer coach, and will also have the opportunity to connect with other Young Directors.
THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, RISE ON BOARDS PARTICIPANTS GAIN:
- Access to an incredible, experiential leadership opportunity through a one-year placement on a governance board
- New skills in governance, financials, fundraising, professional communications, and leadership
- An opportunity to create social change, impact organizational decision-making, and positively impact their community
- 1:1 mentoring from senior professionals, who will invest in and support their personal leadership and career development journey
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COACH VS. BOARD MENTOR?
Each Young Director will be paired up with a Coach and a Board Mentor to support them throughout their first board appointment.
- Coaches: A coach is a woman or gender-marginalized professional with previous board governance and/or mentorship experience, who supports the Young Director’s personal and professional goals and assists them in navigating issues related to the program, e.g. time management, preparing for interviews. Young Directors and Coaches are matched at the beginning of the board assignment and are provided with a coaching handbook to guide coaching sessions.
- Board Mentors: A board mentor is a director on the Young Director’s matched governance board who will be the Young Director’s main contact for the duration of their term. The Board Mentor facilitates the Young Director’s on-boarding process and is their go-to contact on the board. The Board Mentor will be provided with a guidebook to help navigate this mentorship opportunity with the Young Director, including a checklist to structure meetings. oes here
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
WHO CAN APPLY TO BE A YOUNG DIRECTOR?
Applications are open to Young Directors who are between the ages of 18 – 25 by the end of 2023 (born between 1998 – 2005), identify as women or gender-marginalized youth, and reside in Canada for the full duration of the program.
Young Directors must demonstrate leadership experience and dedication to community work and volunteering. They should have an interest in board governance and be committed to advancing equity in boardrooms.
ARE YOU A NON-PROFIT BOARD INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING?
Rise on Boards actively recruits governance boards in all major Canadian cities throughout the year.
Fora works to match all Young Directors with a board in their city of residence (as indicated in their application). Board placements for our 2025 - 2026 cohort are set to begin in Winter 2025.
We encourage you to apply if your board is…
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A non-profit board
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Located in Canada (all major cities and virtual boards welcome to apply)
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Committed to advancing gender equity and inclusion at the board table
Dates
Deadline: April 14, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
