- Expert Insights
The Governance Gap: Examining Diversity and Equity in Nonprofit Boards of Directors
By Molly Brennan, Global Managing Partner and Nonprofit and Social Impact Practice Lead, Diversified Search Group
Many organizations are aware of the benefits of diversity and want to diversify their boards. However, few boards have been successful moving from intention to action.
Often, boards recruit from their personal networks, which makes it especially difficult to identify, evaluate, and attract highly qualified women, executives of color, and other candidates that would bring new perspectives and backgrounds.
Koya Partners’ study shows that although leaders want their boards to become more diverse, a gap exists between desire and action. Per the study, 96% of organizations believe diversifying their Boards of Directors is a key objective, yet only 24% of all respondents have taken crucial steps (three or more actions) to increase levels of diversity within their board.
Read and download the full Board Diversity report here.
Molly Brennan is Global Managing Partner and Nonprofit and Social Impact Practice Lead at Diversified Search Group; and author of the 2019 report The Governance Gap: Examining Diversity and Equity on Nonprofit Boards of Directors. Her focus areas include leadership, retention, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.