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About this event
How to Approach Your Board Search, Part 2: Networking Strategies and Reverse Board Search for Board Service
The Strength of Weak Ties – tips for building and leveraging your network Strategic Networking Techniques - through the Athena Reverse Board Search program - identify your safety, match and reach target companies and start networking with key players in those companies Databases, registries, marketplaces - all the places you should be visible
Experts
Coco Brown CEO
Coco Brown is the Founder and CEO of Athena Alliance. Athena has helped thousands of leaders build their Portfolio of Impact and grow and advance in their executive careers. The company has also brought almost 500 women to corporate boards from growth stage private companies to name brand public companies. Coco has personally worked with hundreds of top leaders, CEOs and boards to evolve modern leadership. She’s served on ten commercial and non-profit boards and advisory boards, and has led two notable companies (Taos, acquired by IBM, and now Athena). She is part of Nasdaq's Governance Insights Council, and is often called on to share guidance to the evolving focus and breadth of responsibility within the Modern Boardroom. Coco was recently named one of the 100 Most Powerful People of Silicon Valley.
Cate Goethals Chief Journey and Strategy Advisor
Cate Goethals is a certified coach (PCC, CHIC) who works with top executives and aspiring board directors to help them confidently embody their leadership value, transition to bigger or more satisfying roles, and pursue their first board seats. An expert in executive leadership and boardroom trends, I have been coaching leaders for more than three decades. Each client relationship is completely personalized and structured to that individual’s unique goals.
Clients know me for my nurturing yet challenging approach. I ask the precise questions that help leaders discover the answers hidden within. A proponent of authentic leadership, I guide executives to deeper meaning and answers – resulting in an actionable, practical path forward, regardless of their goal. One client describes me as “having changed the trajectory of her career,” while another says I “hold her accountable and helped her realize her full value and potential.” I like to think I offer just the right combination of love and push. I am also a globally recognized expert in boardroom trends, diversity, and strategies for achieving first board seats. As a long-time business professor at University of Washington, my programs include the Foster Women Board Director Development Program, MBA “Women at the Top,” (one of the Forbes “10 Most Innovative” MBA courses), and Women in Leadership. I serve as an executive coach for Athena Alliance, an Executive Education as a Service platform for top women leaders.
I am co-founder of Better Boards Initiative (BBI), which serves to champion diversity in the boardroom and help new diverse directors contribute from day one. I frequently speak on issues related to leadership development and the benefits of boardroom diversity.
Hosts
Erin Essenmacher Chief Strategy and Experience Officer
Erin Essenmacher has 25 years of experience in media, education strategy and corporate governance. She has written, directed, and produced films for PBS, the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, the History Channel, and CNN, and worked with brands like Sony, Apple, Acura, and The Gap.
Over the last decade Erin served on the executive leadership team National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) where she was responsible for the design and delivery of board member training, new product development, organizational strategy and thought leadership innovation. In her role, Erin focused on helping directors make sense of the changing role of the board and how it impacts their mandate, including a deeper understanding of ESG, cyber security, regulatory risk, geopolitical disruption, diversity, culture and digital transformation. During her tenure, Erin helped double NACD membership and drove a 400% growth in education revenue.
Her new venture, The Brigh Group helps organizations develop or reimagine content strategy, growth through partnership and better corporate governance. She is also the founder of Feisty Aphrodite, which focuses on original content creation and advising organizations and other makers on media and content strategy.
Erin has been a frequent speaker on corporate governance, strategy and risk oversight, presenting at industry meetings and conferences and as a regular contributor to Directors and Boards magazine. She has served on boards across sectors including as director for the iconic clothing retailer EILEEN FISHER where she chaired the People and Culture committee and helped lead design of the CEO succession plan. She currently sits on the board of Docs in Progress and the Advisory Board for the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University
Mon, May 13 @ 2:00pm PT (1.5 hrs)
VIRTUAL (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Members Only
Salon
Upcoming Events
Join us for a Salon or Meetup to get a peek inside our community! Peer Groups and Learning Circles are exclusively for members - log in here
- ALL events
- A Look Inside Athena
- Peer Group
- Salon
- Meetup
- Orientation
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena is held monthly for prospect members to come and understand how Athena works. They will learn more about the backstory of Athena, see a tour of our platform, and have the opportunity to discuss more of what they are interested in and ask questions about joining our community.
Salons
Learn about the most pressing topics facing executives today in an intimate, yet casual, virtual setting. Hosted by board directors and leaders from the world's top brands.
Meetups
Gather with Athena members in your area for a casual, in-person Meetup. These are planned by request and hosted by Athena members in various cities. If you're interested in hosting and/or joining a meetup in the future, reach out to the Member Success Team and let them know.
Peer Groups
We have an incredible community of female leaders at Athena and we want to bring you closer together! Join a Peer Group and build a network of peers you can engage with for guidance, lessons learned and insights around a shared interest. Choose a topic that most interests you or drop in and out of multiple peer groups as it suits you best. You’ll find at least one peer group available to join every week. Each live session goes for one hour, no preparation is needed, just show up as you are. We look forward to seeing you there!
Learning Circles
A Learning Circle is an opportunity to connect with a small group of other Athena members in a focused yet casual setting, creating accountability around targeted learning to assist you in achieving your goals. Over the course of 6 sessions, club members will meet every 2 weeks to participate in an organic, peer-led discussion of the session's "chapters" consisting of 1-2 Athena salons which are to be reviewed on your own prior to the group session. When joining, members are committing to completing all 6 sessions.
Guided Networking
Typically led by one of Athena's coaches, networking events provide members an opportunity to meet one another in a smaller intimate and virtual setting.
Partner Events
These are typically in-person events led by Coco and our partnering companies on topics that are relevant to the industry and audience of our business partners.
Workshops
A workshop is an interactive session for members to actively practice something, such as their pitch. These sessions typically involve breakout rooms, member to member feedback and are not recorded.
Orientations
For members new to Athena looking for ways to engage, these bi-weekly orientations led by an Athena Member Success Manager, provide a live tour of Athena, member success insights, and a chance to get questions answered.
Enterprise Events
Athena customizes virtual learning events with expert business leaders tailored to a unique company’s needs. These events cultivate cross-functional community, development, and learning across the partner organization.
Other
Athena listens and we're always adding new event types and opportunities for members to engage. See what new events we are currently offering members.
No Upcoming Events Found.
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership Special Session: Only 3 Questions You EVER Need
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap, Tami Reiss
Salon
The 3 S's of Success Session 4: Strategy
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Julianna Hynes
Meetup
In Person: An Intimate Dinner in Alpharetta, GA (6:00-8:00 PM ET)
Host: Marva Bailer
Salon
Black Women in the Workplace
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Caitlin Sachdev, Shelly Morales
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Peer Group
Experienced Investors Special Session: How AI is Reshaping Venture Capital
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Lilia Shirman, Shauna Turner
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals: Vertical Integrations in Healthcare
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Salon
Board Candidate Databases and Marketplaces
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Belen Gomez, Deborah Ellinger, Jeri Harman, Rebecca Thornton, Selena Singleton
Salon
Navigating Messy Conversations: Strategies for Constructive Dialogue in Today's World
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Alalá Linda, Nakisha Hicks
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Karen Cone
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Cate Goethals
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Salon
The 3 S's of Success Session 5: Putting it all Together
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Julianna Hynes
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Salon
Getting Real About Public Boards: What Makes the Most Sense for You?
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Amy Karn
Salon
Navigating Career Transitions
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Ashley Rudolph
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club - Currently reading "Co-intelligence: Living and Working with AI" by Ethan Mollick
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Tom Leighton, CEO of Akamai
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Tom Leighton
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Caitlin Sachdev, Shelly Morales
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Salon
Unleashing Your Philanthropic Impact
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Alissa May, Holly Copeland
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Meetup
In Person: Athena x Proofpoint in Sunnyvale, CA (4:00-6:00 PM PT)
Host: Q. Kim Sullivan
Experts: Coco Brown
Meetup
In Person: Poolside Dinner in Sacramento, CA (6:00-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Cheryl Dilley
Experts: Coco Brown
Meetup
Dinner and Connections in Austin, TX (6:00-8:00 PM CT)
Host: Hema Ramaswamy
Experts: Rochelle Campbell
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Meetup
In Person: Accoutrements And Artificial Intelligence in Los Angeles, CA (6:00-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Jeanine Wright
Experts: Erica Mandy
Salon
Leading Under Pressure: How to Master Stress for Executive Success
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Cindy Montgenie
Peer Group
Sales and Marketing Leaders
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Karen Cone
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Cate Goethals
Meetup
In Person: Impact Circle in Seattle, WA (5:00-7:00 PM PT)
Host: Gavriella Schuster
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Audit Committee
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Carol Coughlin, Katrinka McCallum
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club - Currently reading "Co-intelligence: Living and Working with AI" by Ethan Mollick
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Caitlin Sachdev, Shelly Morales
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
Succeeding in Your First Board Role
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Salon
Soft Power: A Sustainable Approach to Leadership
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Elizabeth Raynor, CHPC, BCHN
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Shelley Zalis
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Karen Cone
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Cate Goethals
Salon
Miracles, Mysteries, and Motivation
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Maryann Bruce
Salon
Financing for Small to Mid-Cap Diversity-Owned Businesses
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Yuriko Mita
Peer Group
Sales and Marketing Leaders
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Salon
CHRO Perspectives with Tina Jones, Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources at Cadence Design Systems
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Belen Gomez, Tina Jones
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club - Currently reading TBD
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Caitlin Sachdev, Shelly Morales
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Salon
Learning to Take Risks as a Woman
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Karen Bulluck
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Richard Ridinger, Chairman of the Board at Brenntag and Recipharm
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Richard Ridinger
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Experienced Investors
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Lilia Shirman, Shauna Turner
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
Succeeding in Your First Board Role
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Meetup
In Person: Connect with Coco in Moss Beach, CA (5:00-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Audit Committee
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Carol Coughlin, Katrinka McCallum
Peer Group
Sales and Marketing Leaders
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Karen Cone
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Cate Goethals
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club - Currently reading TBD
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Caitlin Sachdev, Shelly Morales
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
Succeeding in Your First Board Role
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Salon
CHRO Perspectives with Sheri Bronstein, Chief Human Resources Officer at Bank of America
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sheri Bronstein, Belen Gomez
Peer Group
Sales and Marketing Leaders
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Karen Cone
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Cate Goethals
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club - Currently reading TBD
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Experienced Investors
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Lilia Shirman, Shauna Turner
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Caitlin Sachdev, Shelly Morales
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
Succeeding in Your First Board Role
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Karen Cone
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Cate Goethals
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Audit Committee
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Carol Coughlin, Katrinka McCallum
Peer Group
Sales and Marketing Leaders
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club - Currently reading TBD
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Peer Group
Fractional Executives
Host: Cristina Scharffenorth
Experts: Caitlin Sachdev, Shelly Morales
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Analuisa Martinez
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
Succeeding in Your First Board Role
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Gabriela Aneas
Experts: Coco Brown
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
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