Are you a senior leader ready to bring your influence into the boardroom?
The Board Leadership & Governance Program (OnBoardHer) is a structured board readiness pathway designed to prepare accomplished women for effective board service.
As a highly capable African woman leader, you have built significant expertise, delivered results, and guided teams with impact. Yet advancing into board leadership requires a distinct set of competencies, confidence, and credibility that go beyond operational and functional success.
At PAWEN, we know that executive experience alone does not translate into board readiness. You need the right Competence, Confidence, and Connections to step into governance roles with authority and influence.
You need the right Competence , Confidence and Connections to rise to the C-suite
Boards are looking for directors who bring strategic insight, governance acumen, financial sophistication, and the ability to influence at the highest levels. Interpreting board expectations, mastering governance fundamentals, and building a strong board readiness profile can be challenging without intentional preparation.
The Board Leadership & Governance Program (OnBoardHer) is designed to prepare seasoned women leaders for meaningful and impactful board roles. The program bridges the gap between executive leadership experience and boardroom readiness by building governance competence, strategic oversight skills, and boardroom confidence.
Participants gain practical insights into governance principles, financial literacy for directors, digital and risk perspectives in modern boards, and applied understanding of director responsibilities. Through structured learning, executive mentoring, peer engagement, and applied case work, women strengthen their ability to contribute value at the board level.
The program equips participants with advanced leadership competence, executive-level strategy and decision-making frameworks, and the confidence to lead with authority and influence. Through practical learning, executive mentoring, and peer engagement, participants strengthen their leadership presence, expand their strategic perspective, and build the connections needed to progress into executive and enterprise leadership roles.
Applications for the 2026 cohort opens Jun 2, 2026
A strong board-ready leadership identity grounded in self awareness, inclusion, and executive presence, enabling you to contribute with clarity, confidence, and credibility in boardroom settings.
A solid foundation in corporate governance, including director responsibilities, financial acumen, risk oversight, sustainability, and the role of boards in strategy and long-term value creation.
Practical boardroom capability in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution, supported by frameworks to influence effectively, exercise sound judgment, and add value in high-stakes governance discussions.
Enhanced readiness for modern boards through understanding technology, digital transformation, and innovation, alongside a strengthened personal brand, professional network, and access to a Pan-African community of board-ready women leaders and mentors, supported by a globally recognised certificate.
Live, expert-led sessions covering corporate governance principles, financial oversight, risk management, digital board leadership, and director duties.
Participants apply frameworks to real board scenarios and build a board readiness portfolio that demonstrates governance insight and strategic impact.
Curated peer clusters facilitate shared insight, discussion of governance challenges, and collaborative problem solving.
Structured mentoring sessions with experienced board members and governance practitioners provide personalised guidance, feedback, and perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
OnBoardHer features board governance masterclasses, practical case work, reflective assessments, executive mentoring, voice coaching and peer discussions designed to build governance competence, confidence, and boardroom influence.
The program is delivered virtually, enabling participation from women leaders across Africa.
Participants should expect to dedicate approximately 3–5 hours weekly, including a live masterclass and supplementary portfolio work with peer learning.
OnBoardHer is not free. Program fees and application windows are communicated during the recruitment cycle.
Upon completion, you’ll join the OnBoardHer alumni network, accessing ongoing mentorship, leadership resources, peer networks, and notifications of board opportunities from organisations across Africa.
Yes. Applicants are expected to have senior leadership or executive experience. The program is competitive and assesses readiness for board participation. We expect participants to start their Board careers within 6 months of completing the program.
No. The program is open to African women of all ages who meet the professional experience and leadership potential criteria.
Behind every number is a woman, a story, and a future transformed. Hear directly from our alumnae.
Applications for the 2026 cohort opens Jun 2, 2026
