- 1 full day in person + 8 weeks online/weekly
- 10th April 2026
- 6PM-8:30PM GMT
Who This Programme is For
The TechWomen4Boards Board Readiness Programme is designed for ambitious senior leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and experienced professionals — both women and men — who are ready to secure and succeed in board-level roles. It is particularly suited to those seeking to strengthen their governance expertise, financial oversight, and strategic leadership capabilities while building the confidence and credibility required in the boardroom. Ideal for individuals aiming to position themselves for non-executive or trustee appointments, the programme supports professionals who are committed to making meaningful impact at board level and expanding their influence through a powerful network of senior leaders and industry experts.
About the Programme
TechWomen4Boards brings together an exceptional faculty of experienced board directors, senior executives, and subject-matter experts. Each instructor is carefully selected for their deep industry knowledge, boardroom expertise, and proven track record in strategic leadership, governance, risk oversight, and financial stewardship. Participants gain practical, real-world insights that go beyond theory — equipping them with the confidence, credibility, and competence required to secure and succeed in board roles.
In addition to the core faculty, distinguished honorary guest speakers contribute throughout the programme, offering fresh perspectives and exclusive insights from across industries. These high-calibre voices enrich the learning experience and expand participants’ professional networks.
The programme is delivered in a dynamic hybrid format, designed to maximise both connection and flexibility. It opens with an in-person launch day in London, including an exclusive evening networking event — an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with peers, faculty, and industry leaders. This is followed by nine weeks of structured online sessions, allowing participants to balance professional commitments while engaging in interactive discussions, case studies, and peer learning. Dedicated time is built in for the capstone project, enabling participants to apply their knowledge to real-world board-level challenges.
The course runs three times annually, with the next cohort beginning on 10 April 2026 in London at the Caledonian Club from 9am to 6pm BST.
Although we would encourage attendees to join the first day in person, candidates who are not able to physically attend will be able to join us online.
Upon successful completion, participants receive a certificate certified by EADA Business School — a globally recognised institution — further strengthening their professional credibility. The certificate is formally presented at our prestigious annual graduation gala dinner at the Caledonian Club in London. This year’s celebration will take place on 30 June 2026 from 6:00pm to 11:00pm BST, offering graduates a high-profile platform to celebrate their achievement and expand their executive network.
Programme Benefits Include:
- Enhanced board readiness and governance expertise
- Increased confidence in financial oversight and strategic decision-making
- Practical tools to position yourself for board appointments
- Access to an influential network of senior leaders and board professionals
- A recognised certification to strengthen your board portfolio
This programme is designed not only to educate — but to elevate and position women and men for meaningful impact at board level.
Programme Outline
Learning Goals
Understand the board’s purpose, responsibilities, and structures.
Roles & responsibilities of the board vs. management
Overview
- Roles & responsibilities of the board vs. management
- Fiduciary duties: duty of care, loyalty, and oversight
- Board composition, diversity, and independence
- Effective board structures, committees, and charters
- Principles of good governance (OECD, IFC, local codes)
- Role of the Company Secretary
- Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) vs. Independent Directors
- Directors’ Liability in the Boardroom
Learning Goals
Enable boards to steer long-term growth and resilience.
Overview
- Strategic oversight vs. operational execution
- Defining business growth strategy
- Evaluating business models and disruption
- Scenario planning and resilience
- Balancing short-term performance with long-term sustainability
Learning Goals
Financial Oversight, Capital Governance & Strategic Metrics
Overview
- Financial Oversight & Reporting
- Capital Oversight
- Key Metrics & Strategic Decision-Making
Learning Goals
Enable boards to steer long-term growth and resilience.
Overview
- Capital allocation and shareholder value
- Funding and capital structure decisions
- Audit oversight and financial reporting integrity
- Financial risk management
- Board’s role in financial strategy
- Shares, Equity & Ownership Structures
Learning Goals
Position the board as guardian of risk and resilience.
Overview
- Enterprise risk management (COSO, ISO 31000)
- Cybersecurity governance and breach case studies
- Geopolitical and supply chain risks
- Crisis management and continuity planning
- Emerging risks: digital, operational, reputational
Learning Goals
Equip boards to integrate sustainability into core strategy.
Overview
- ESG frameworks, ratings, and investor expectations
- Climate risk and transition planning
- Human capital, DEI, and workforce governance
- Corporate purpose and stakeholder engagement
- Sustainability reporting standards (GRI, SASB, TCFD, CSRD, ISSB)
Learning Goals
Prepare directors to govern digital and AI responsibly.
Overview
- Data governance, privacy, and ethics (GDPR, CCPA)
- AI opportunities vs. risks (bias, liability, disruption)
- Responsible AI: accountability, transparency, ethics and bias
- Leveraging data for innovation and advantage
- Cyber Risk & Digital Resilience
- Digital transformation: successes and failures
- The Board’s Role in Digital Transformation
Learning Goals
Global Regulation, Compliance & Ethical Governance
Overview
- Global Regulatory Landscape
- Anti-Bribery, Anti-Corruption & Compliance Frameworks
- Industry-Specific Oversight Obligations
- Ethical Leadership & Decision-Making Models
- Embedding Ethics into Governance Culture
- Data protection frameworks
- Industry-specific regulation (financial, healthcare, technology)
Learning Goals
Board Composition, Culture, Renewal & Governance Effectiveness
Overview
- Board Composition, Diversity & Renewal
- Committees Frameworks
- Chair–CEO Relationship & Governance Balance
- Managing conflicts of interest
- Board Culture & Decision-Making
- Succession Planning & Talent Oversight
- Board Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
Learning Goals
Stakeholder Engagement, ESG Communication & Strategic Disclosure
Overview
- Stakeholder Mapping & Materiality
- Shareholder Activism & Response Strategies
- Investor Relations & ESG-Driven Capital Markets
- Integrated Reporting & Disclosure
- Communication During Crisis & Change
- Transparency and integrated reporting
- Media and reputational risk management
- Earnings Calls
Learning Goals
Emerging Risks, Technology Governance & Strategic Foresight
Overview
- AI Regulation & Digital Trust
- Geopolitical & Supply Chain Risks
- Future of Work & Workforce Transformation
- Economic & Market Disruption Scenarios
- Foresight and Trend Impact on Governance
The Certificate Presentation Ceremony takes place once per year in London at our Gala Dinner at the Caledonian Club in June, this year on the 30th from 6pm -11pm GTM.
Programme Instructors
Programme Instructors
Zana A.
Zana A. EMBA, Dip. Corporate Governance
CEO & Founder, TechWomen4Boards | CIO & Managing Partner, Emrys Group
Zana is a governance leader, board advisor, and technology executive with over two decades of international experience spanning FTSE 250/500 organisations in finance, legal, managed services, and retail. She holds a Corporate Governance Diploma and has served as President of the Supervisory Board at SGS, Board Director at WIT® Croatia, and Advisory Board Member for the Finance & Fintech Group at the Institute of Directors, London.
As Founder and CEO of TechWomen4Boards, Zana is dedicated to advancing diverse, board-ready leadership pipelines, equipping executives with governance fluency, strategic influence, and cultural transformation skills. She combines her corporate governance expertise with deep experience in digital transformation, cyber resilience, and human capital strategy, enabling organisations to align innovation with ethical leadership and board-level oversight.
Recognised for her governance and advisory contributions, Zana founded and chaired the Women in Tech (WIT®) interest group at European Women on Boards, mentors C-suite executives through Connectd, and actively supports female entrepreneurship as an Angel Investor.
Through her board, governance, and advisory roles, Zana brings a rare combination of strategic governance expertise, technological acumen, and DEI leadership, making her a trusted partner for organisations preparing executives and boards for the future.
Nadiia V.
As General Partner at Freedom Fund Venture Capital, she leads startup due diligence, investment strategy, and ecosystem growth. A Professor at a leading business school, she helps entrepreneurs scale and expand globally. PhD in Economics & Management; certified in Corporate Governance, Financial Oversight, and Digital Strategy (MIT, Purdue, IMD, Kellogg).
Board Member • Executive Leader • Digital Economy Strategist
Nadiia is an experienced Board Director and Executive Leader with 20+ years across finance, digital transformation, and innovation policy. She serves as Independent Director & Chairwoman of the Audit Committee at Crédit Agricole Group Ukraine, and as Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board and Head of the Strategy Committee at Prozorro.Sale, Ukraine’s state asset management enterprise. She also chairs the Finance Committee at East Europe Foundation and serves on the *Supervisory Board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (Treasurer).
Shkendije H.
Shkendije is the Founder and CEO of Finance in Action, a boutique advisory firm specialising in diversified finance, institutional development, and sustainable growth across Southeast Europe. She is also the Co-Founder of Women on Boards, an initiative advancing gender diversity in corporate leadership and aligning national practices with the EU Women on Boards Directive.
A seasoned board member, trainer, and international mentor, Shkendije advises governments, development partners, and financial institutions on governance reform, capital-market development, and strategic leadership. Her collaborations include work with Global Affairs Canada, USAID, the EBRD, IMF, KfW, LuxDev, the World Bank, and the European Fund for Southeast Europe, contributing to initiatives that strengthen governance, investment ecosystems, and inclusive finance.
Before founding Finance in Action and Women on Boards, she served as Diversified Finance Lead at the U.S.-based firm DT Global, leading systemic financial-sector reforms to enhance investment readiness and access to capital markets. With over 18 years of executive experience at the Central Bank, Kosovo, she held senior roles in supervision, stability, risk management, and international relations, and was the highest-ranking candidate for Governor in 2023.
Her board experience includes chairing the Deposit Insurance Fund, serving on the Governing Council of the University of Prishtina and currently on the Board of the Kosovo-United States Alumni Association and as Vice Chair of Girls Football Club.
Dr. Damian Z.
Board Member • CEO/COO • Investor
Damian is an experienced board member and executive with over 20 years of leadership in CEO and COO roles across Switzerland and internationally in the financial services industry. He has a strong track record in driving strategic transformation, strengthening governance, and creating long-term value.
As a board member and advisor, Damian combines deep expertise in strategy, risk, and organisational development with a pragmatic focus on execution and results. He is recognised for effectively aligning shareholders, boards, and management to ensure strategic success in complex and competitive markets.
Beyond his board mandates, Damian is an active private investor in early-stage ventures and a member of the Start Angle Network (SAN) – a boutique Swiss investor club that often acts as lead investor for promising Swiss startups. Through his investment activities, he supports and coaches innovative entrepreneurs in building up businesses and organisations for growth.
Having lived and worked in Switzerland, the USA, and the UK, Damian brings a global mindset and the agility to navigate diverse, cross-cultural environments. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Zurich, is an McKinsey&Co and INSEAD alumnus, and is certified in Corporate Governance.
David A.
Board Director | Security Risk & Compliance Leader
David is a Board Director and recognised expert in security risk, compliance, and data protection. With more than 20 years leading security initiatives across multinational organisations, he combines strategic vision with practical, hands-on experience in high-stakes governance environments.
As a Board Director, David provides essential oversight in cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management. He works with executive teams to align security strategy with business goals, anticipate emerging threats, and ensure compliance frameworks keep pace with evolving regulations like GDPR, ISO 27001, and NIST. His approach gives boards confidence that risks are identified early and managed proactively across the entire organisation.
Throughout his career, David has led global security and compliance programs in finance, technology, and regulated industries. He’s guided cross-functional teams through complex audits, incident responses, third-party risk assessments, and major data privacy transformations. His expertise spans identity and access management, encryption, security operations, and data governance—all grounded in real-world implementation.
What distinguishes David is his ability to bridge technical complexity with strategic clarity. He translates intricate security and compliance challenges into actionable insights that resonate at board level. C-suite executives rely on him as a trusted advisor, while security professionals value his mentorship and technical credibility. Whether leading digital transformation initiatives or navigating crisis response, David brings steady leadership that builds resilience, maintains trust, and creates lasting value.
Marili Anderson
Senior Management Functions SMF16 & 17, Rabobank, London Branch
Marili Anderson is a Senior Head of Compliance with over 20 years of experience in the Financial Services industry and currently holds the Senior Management Functions SMF16 & 17 for Rabobank, London Branch. Marili has held several senior leadership roles in both the Sell-side and Buy-side with Global US and European Frims in the UK and in Europe with global teams based across the world. Marili is a governor of the RMCH Oxford House Charity and a founding member of TechWomen4Boards womens network.
Marili has a Bachelor of Arts with honours from Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, and a Masters from Sciences Po. In Paris, France. She lives in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside and enjoys sailing in her native Aegean Sea.
We are going to utilise TechWomen4Board wide network of Board Directors, Advisors and Subject Matter experts to join our programme as the Guest Speakers.
Guest Speakers will rotate depending on the module, availability and suitability.
About EADA
EADA Business School is a private business school located in Barcelona, Spain. It is not a university in the traditional sense, but it operates as a private university foundation. EADA offers a range of postgraduate programs, including MBAs, master’s degrees, and executive education courses. Its degrees are granted by the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia, which provides the official university accreditation for its programs.
EADA is recognised for its international standing and holds prestigious accreditations such as EQUIS and AMBA. It has been ranked among the top 30 business schools in Europe by the Financial Times.
Additionally, EADA is a member of the CFA Institute’s University Partner Program, further enhancing its global reputation.
