NYSE's Suzanne Brown on What It Really Takes to Land a Public Board Seat
- Debra Boggs
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
If you're setting your sights on a public company board seat, there’s no one more qualified to learn from than Suzanne Brown, Director of Board Services at the New York Stock Exchange. In a recent conversation with our CEO Debra Boggs, Suzanne gave us a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what public boards are really looking for, why most candidates fall short, and how you can stand out in one of the most competitive spaces in corporate leadership. Public Board Seats Are More Competitive Than Ever With only 400 to 500 public board seats opening each year, the bar is high. Boards aren't looking for generalists. They want laser-specific expertise that solves a current gap, think M&A, global expansion, supply chain, or scaling experience. What Boards Want: 5 Key Categories of Fit According to Suzanne, most public board searches focus on five factors:
Your Unique Value Must Be Crystal Clear Suzanne's #1 tip: distill your board value into one or two powerful sentences. Can someone easily repeat what you bring to the table when referring you? That clarity is what gets you noticed. Confidence Is Nonnegotiable Public boards are not developmental roles. You must show up already operating at a board-ready level, with the confidence and clarity to match. No wishy-washy bios; no hoping for a shot. Boards want candidates who can add value fast. Strategy and Governance over Trends While emerging board skills and corporate trends (like ESG and AI) come and go, what boards truly value is deep governance experience and capital markets knowledge. The ability to think strategically and advise from a place of credibility is essential.
Chase the C-Suite, Not Just the Seat If you’re early in your board journey, Suzanne advises targeting a C-suite role first. Executives with P&L ownership and top-level accountability have a much stronger shot at landing a public seat. Boards Still Start with “Who Do You Know?” When Filling Seats Even with vetted candidate programs like NYSE Board Services, relationships matter. Make it easy for others to refer you by defining your board value clearly and making it visible on LinkedIn and in your bio. Also focus on building and expanding your network early, don’t wait until six months after retirement to start trying to meet people. It’s often too late. Ready to Elevate Your Public Board Search? At D&S Executive Career Management, we help senior leaders build the brand, strategy, and presence needed to win public board seats. From clarity in your board value and stand-out board bios, to interview prep and visibility tactics, we’ve got you covered. |
Want more advice from Suzanne Brown?
View our CEO, Debra Boggs' 30-minute interview with Suzanne, where she shares exclusive insights on what public boards are looking for right now, the qualifications that matter most, and the key strategies aspiring directors can use to stand out in a competitive landscape.
Click the image to view the video. 👇
Are You Board Ready? Find Out with Our Free Guide
If you're considering stepping into board service, you already know the competition is fierce. But here's the good news: the right preparation can set you apart.
Whether you’re targeting your first private board role or aiming for a coveted public company seat, our quick-read guide, Are You Board Ready?, walks you through the three most critical questions every board candidate must answer.
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