How to become a board member in 7 steps

The path to becoming a board member starts with matching your expertise to the needs boards are trying to fill. Research like the PwC Annual Corporate Directors Survey sheds some light on how to become a board member; for example, financial and industry expertise were the most in-demand skills, as were the unique perspectives board diversity brings.

The skills boards want are shifting fast, especially as organizations look for directors who can guide AI-related governance decisions. Understanding those priorities can help you position your experience for the right board opportunity.

Board seats are filled through nominations, referrals, applications and elections, depending on the board type.

How does one get to be a board member?

Becoming a board member often starts with earning the respect of your field. If you hold expertise that aligns with an organization's needs, you are an obvious fit for vacancies that may arise. Successful board member candidates are often known for their leadership, integrity and ability to build meaningful relationships and trust from their peers in the field.

Once you gain recognition for your skills and dedication, you may be invited to join a board or apply for open positions. The process usually involves expressing interest and showing how your relevant experience aligns with the organization's goals. For those who succeed, serving on a board offers an opportunity to impact an organization's future.

Director surveys show which skills are opening boardroom doors right now. In the What Directors Think 2026 report by Diligent Institute and Corporate Board Member, directors said they would prioritize recruiting for:

• Industry-specificexpertise (42%): Name the market and operational issues you can help a board read.
• Financial or overall businessexpertise (34%): Show how you would help a board interpret performance and enterprise risk, not just review reported numbers.
• CEO or C-suite experience (31%): Frame your experience around the decisions boards actually make, such as capital allocation, succession and risk.
• AIexpertise (28%): Connect your technology background to oversight questions, since only 8% of boards report strong AIexpertise.

Together, those priorities show that boards are looking for directors who can connect specialized experience to the organization's strategy. Aspiring directors should translate these priorities into a board bio that names the industry, financial, business, C-suite or AI problems they can help solve.

Board refreshment can also create openings for well-prepared candidates as directors reassess whether board composition matches the organization's strategy. A practical next step is to stay visible and keep your board profile current so you can show quickly where your expertise fills a specific need.

Qualifications you need before becoming a board member

There are no universal requirements for board membership. Boards thrive on diverse perspectives, experiences and areas of expertise. That said, most organizations look for board members with:

• Professionalexpertise: Skills in finance, law, fundraising, governance, strategic planning, AI and cybersecurity, or industry-specific knowledge are routinely in demand in most boardrooms.
• Leadership experience: Prior executive experience, committee service or advisory roles can set you apart from other candidates.
• Long-term thinking: The ability to weigh a decision’s consequences years out is invaluable to boards and the organizations they serve, as boards typically oversee plans and risks that unfold over time.
• Collaboration and communication: Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to work alongside board colleagues and other stakeholders will help you build relationships among the board and drive productive discussions.
• Time and availability: A willingness to contribute time to attend meetings and support the organization's mission beyond boardroom discussions is essential, as joining a board can be a significant obligation.

Different boards have different requirements for their members. Building a strong reputation and staying connected to relevant leaders are part of the process, regardless of the board type you pursue.

Corporate board

Joining a corporate board is often more competitive than other boards and requires credibility, leadership experience and a strong network. You can improve your chances by:

1. Developing executive-level experience: Many directors previously served in executive-level roles. Gaining experience leading a department or an entire company in industries like finance or technology can make you a clear candidate for a board appointment.
2. Gaining board or advisory experience: Boards seek candidates with proven oversight experience. Serving on a nonprofit or advisory board can help you develop this skill and offer evidence of your success.
3. Building a strong professional network: A referral from a trusted source can open the boardroom door for you. Engage with board members and executives to stay on their radar should they become aware of open board seats.
4. Building visibility: Speak at industry events, publish thought leadership content or join professional organizations to establish yourself as an authority in your field.
5. Understanding corporate governance: Good governance originates from the board. Familiarize yourself with corporate governance best practices and regulatory requirements specific to the boards you're interested in joining.
6. Working with a board recruitment firm: These specialized executive search firms help match candidates to open board seats. Engaging a firm supporting industries or organizations you're interested in can increase your chances of securing a nomination.
7. Demonstrating your value: If a board considers you for a vacancy, explain how your skills align with the company's long-term needs and the board's working style.

Nonprofit board

Nonprofit boards look for individuals committed to their mission, often prioritizing passion and community engagement over corporate experience. Here's how to join one:

1. Find a cause you care about: Choose a nonprofit whose mission aligns with your values and expertise.
2. Engage as a volunteer or donor: Active involvement with the organization shows your commitment and helps you build relationships with board members and leadership. Expressing your interest in a board position to key leadership can get your foot in the door.
3. Develop relevant skills: Nonprofits often tap into their boards for fundraising, finance, governance or marketing leadership. Strengthening your knowledge in these areas can increase your competitiveness as a candidate.
4. Serve on a committee: Many boards recruit from their committees. Joining the finance, development or program committee can be a stepping stone.
5. Research board openings and application processes: Some nonprofits have formal application procedures or nomination processes for board positions. Others may advertise board vacancies openly, to which you can apply directly.
6. Demonstrate your value: If selected for an interview, highlight how your skills, expertise and values can benefit the nonprofit's goals, particularly those related to fundraising or key programs or operations.
7. Make a financial contribution (if needed): Many nonprofit boards expect members to contribute financially or assist with fundraising efforts.

School boards

Joining a school board is unique. Unlike corporate or nonprofit boards, becoming a school board member often involves an election. This will require you to engage and campaign with the public to win their vote and, ultimately, secure a school board position.

Government boards and councils

Government boards include city councils, county commissions, special districts and appointed agency commissions. Most seats are filled through public election or formal appointment by an elected official, and procedures vary by jurisdiction.

Candidates typically need working knowledge of local meeting laws, public records requirements and the community priorities that shape everyday decisions. Attending public meetings regularly, volunteering on an advisory committee or supporting a local campaign can build the civic visibility that both election and appointment processes reward.

How to become a board member with no experience

Breaking into a board position with little experience can seem challenging, but it's entirely possible. Building the right skills, networks and visibility early in your career can be invaluable, particularly as boards look for candidates from emerging industries. Here's how to position yourself for an early-career board role:

1. Develop relevantexpertise: Boards value young, tech-savvy people with experience in emerging technologies who can bring a fresh perspective. Cultivating in-demand skills with AI and other technologies can offset the years of experience you may lack.
2. Network with board members and leaders: Landing a board position is about who you know as much as it is about what you know. Build relationships with people serving on boards over time and express your interest in joining when appropriate.
3. Strengthen your professional profile: Speak at events and publish online to position yourself as a knowledgeable professional. While you'll likely have to pitch yourself at first, the more visible you are, the more in demand you'll become.
4. Express interest and apply: Research board openings and reach out to organizations. Be ready to articulate your value if you gain traction, as boards need a compelling reason to take a chance on a new-to-the-field board member.

Build board readiness

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Becoming a board member is just the beginning

After joining a board, new members need to prepare for effective service. Effective board members are engaged and collaborative and bring their expertise to benefit the entire board and the organization it serves.

Board service also requires directors to keep building skills and make time for the oversight organizational performance depends on. Board effectiveness depends on directors continuing to learn and encouraging diverse viewpoints once they are in the boardroom.

That transition from candidate to contributor can be difficult for first-time directors. The same preparation habits that help someone earn a board seat also need to carry into onboarding and the review habits that make meeting discussions productive.

How Diligent supports board readiness

New directors often need to understand the organization quickly while also contributing meaningfully in meetings. Governance teams face the related challenge of preparing materials that give directors the right context without adding more manual work.

For corporate, nonprofit and pre-IPO boards, Diligent Boards gives directors one secure place to access meeting materials and communicate with fellow board members. That supports the relationship-building and preparation habits covered above, especially when a board includes newer members who need fast access to historical materials and current priorities. For school boards, city councils and other public bodies, Diligent Community helps members prepare for public meetings and stay aligned with open meeting laws through agenda management, public transparency tools and audit-ready voting records.

SmartPrep generates pointed discussion questions with source citations so new members arrive at their first meetings ready to contribute. Smart Builder turns raw source materials into professional board books so governance teams can create materials directors can review and use more easily.

For growing companies, that can make first formal board processes feel more professional without requiring dedicated governance staff. For pre-IPO companies and public companies, the same workflows support more consistent materials and stronger meeting preparation with clearer oversight across committees.

For example, Assore Holdings used Diligent Boards and AI-supported board workflows to save up to 60% of board meeting preparation time. The result shows how AI-supported board workflows can help directors and governance teams spend more time on discussion and oversight.

To evaluate these workflows for your own board process, schedule a demo with Diligent.

Board membership FAQs

Do you need prior board experience to join a board of directors?

No. Nonprofit board service is a recognized pathway to gaining the oversight skills that for-profit boards value. Advisory roles and committee service also count as governance experience. And because few boards currently hold AI expertise among their directors, technology-savvy candidates without traditional board tenure are an in-demand pipeline.

How do you get on a board of directors?

Corporate director candidates are typically identified through existing board networks and executive search firms, while professional organizations such as the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) can help candidates become visible. From there, expect to formally express interest and discuss how your relevant experience aligns with the board. Nonprofit boards commonly recruit from their own volunteers and committees, while school board seats are usually won through a community election.

Are board members paid?

It depends on the organization. The National Council of Nonprofits states that many charitable nonprofit board members are unpaid volunteers. Public companies do compensate directors, though the amount and structure vary by organization size and committee duties. Diligent's board compensation guide covers pay across board types in detail.

How long does it take to become a board member?

There is no standard timeline, as board-relevant experience and a professional network develop over time. Candidates should expect board service to extend over multiple years, so they should conduct thoughtful due diligence before committing.

Do board members need ongoing education after joining a board?

Yes. Directors have an obligation to maintain current knowledge of the organizations they serve, and the NYSE requires director education disclosures. Directors seeking a formal credential can pursue the NACD Directorship Certification, which requires experience criteria plus a foundation course and mastery assessment.

Ready to help directors prepare faster and contribute sooner? Schedule a demo of Diligent Boards.