Navigating Pathways to Public, Private, Family-Owned & PE-Backed Boards
04/16/2026 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM ET
Admission
- Free
Location
Boston, MA
Description
Navigating Pathways to Public, Private, Family-Owned & PE-Backed Boards
Thursday, April 16
Downtown Boston
5:30 - 6:00 Welcome & Networking
6:00 - 7:00 Program
7:00 - 7:30 Networking & Refreshments
Registration is currently open to TBC Members only.
Board service can take many forms, but the pathway, expectations, and responsibilities vary depending on the type of organization.
Hosted by TBC's Corporate Board Education Committee and the Corporate Directors Affinity Group, this in-person panel discussion is designed for women leaders who are exploring board service or seeking to expand their board portfolios. Experienced directors will share insights on serving across public, private, family-owned, and private equity–backed boards, comparing what it truly means to sit at each table.
Topics will include:
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How directors are identified and recruited across board types
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Governance structures and fiduciary responsibilities
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Time commitment, compensation, and compliance expectations
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Key differences across public, private, family-owned, and PE-backed boards
Whether you are pursuing your first board seat or considering a move across board types, this conversation will provide clarity, perspective, and actionable guidance.
The program will conclude with networking and light refreshments, offering the opportunity to connect with fellow members and board-ready leaders.
Panelists
Dr. Christine Ortiz is a professor, engineer, entrepreneur, former dean, corporate board director, and foundation trustee, and Morris Cohen Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. A nationally and internationally recognized leader with over 25 years of experience in science, engineering, and technology innovation, she has authored more than 210 scholarly publications, led large cross-disciplinary teams, and served on over 50 scientific evaluation boards and expert panels overseeing more than $200M in R&D. Dr. Ortiz currently serves on the boards of Mueller Water Products (NYSE: MWA) and Enovis (NYSE: ENOV) and was named a 2023 Director to Watch by Directors & Boards magazine.
Carol J. Meyers is an independent board director and former public-company C-suite executive who has served on 11 boards, including public companies and VC- and PE-backed businesses. With deep audit and compensation committee experience, she brings a modern governance perspective on AI, technology risk, and growth oversight. Carol advises Glasswing Ventures and Guidepost Growth Equity, and is passionate about helping aspiring directors build board-ready judgment and impact.
Babs Ryan is a board director and investment committee member at Main Street, Inc., a 25-year private family business, and an advisory board director at Aviva Labs, with additional roles as a strategic advisor to Kintera AI. A former chief innovation officer at GE Capital, she is an inventor whose patents generated $800M in incremental revenue and has held senior leadership roles at WPP, Capgemini, ThoughtWorks, and Publicis Sapient. She was named a 2025 Director to Watch by Private Company Director and one of BoardProspects’ 100 Exceptional Private Company Board Directors.
Ellen Richstone (Moderator) currently serves on four public company boards. She has been a member of the eMagin Board of Directors and chair of its Audit Committee since July 2014, and is a designated financial expert on the board of BioAmber Inc. (NYSE: BIOA), a public industrial biotechnology company producing sustainable chemicals. She also serves on the boards of Orion Energy Systems and Superior Industries. She served as chief financial officer of several public and private companies between 1989 and 2012, including Fortune 500 aerospace firm Rohr Aerospace, and as president and chief executive officer of the Entrepreneurial Resources Group from 2002-2004. She is a recipient of the Corporate Directors Group’s Distinguished Director Award.