About Us – Better Boards Initiative

What We Do

Uncovering the best practices of the best diverse boards

We formed Better Boards out of a conviction that diverse corporate boards have the power to make the world a better place, creating more equitable workplaces, thriving communities and a fairer society.

To capture the best practices of boards that capitalize on diversity, we interviewed 100 corporate directors – 50 men, 50 women, 40% people of color in line with the U.S. census. These thought leaders shared best practices on inclusion, recruiting, onboarding, board dynamics and leadership. They also shared insight on the growing impact of boards in a time of ESG and a more stakeholder driven approach.

We draw upon our extensive board governance, leadership development and coaching experience informed by both experience and our ground-breaking research. We coach aspiring and new board members to contribute from day one. We consult with boards to create the culture and systems for better organizations and a better world. Our research is the foundation for:

Broad-based awareness and education
Board and candidate development programs focused on women and people of color
Consulting to support diversity initiatives
Coaching of first time and aspiring directors

Founders

Founder

Cate Goethals

Cate Goethals is committed to building stronger corporate leadership by opening pathways for more excellent women and people of color to contribute their voices in the executive suite and boardroom. She has inspired hundreds of women and men to succeed as leaders by celebrating difference and helping organizations and their boards to capitalize on the benefits of diversity.

Author of groundbreaking research, “The Better Boards Report,” on the added value gender diversity brings to the board table, Cate is founder and director of the University of Washington Foster School of Business Women Board Director Development Program, the first program of its kind in the U.S.

A longtime consultant and leadership development professor, Cate has created multiple programs promoting diversity in corporate leadership, including MBA Women at the Top, named a “Top 10” innovative class by Forbes, and “Better Together” a program promoting allyship across gender and ethnicity.

Cate is a certified executive coach whose practice focuses on diverse leaders who share her passion for making their organizations – and thus the world – a better and more collaborative place as they advance in their careers. She also serves as Chief Journey Advisor to the Athena Alliance, an organization dedicated to guiding women to seats on boards of directors.

Founder

Joanna Lohkamp

Joanna Lohkamp is NACD Directorship Certified and a Leadership Fellow and manages an active public and private board portfolio. She chairs the Audit & Risk Committees of Smart Wires Technology and Woods Bagot Holdings Pty Ltd, and the Nominating & Governance Committee of Aspiriant. Previously Joanna served as Board Chair of Delta Dental of Washington and Chair of both Compensation and Nominating & Governance committees of The Kleinfelder Group.

As a champion of board governance and diversity, Joanna serves on the NACD Northwest chapter board, co-chairs Women Corporate Directors (Seattle), helps companies find diverse directors through the Stanford Women on Boards Board Match committee, and co-chaired the first three 20/20 Women on Boards Seattle events.

In addition to her board work, Joanna has CEO, CFO, and global operating experience across multiple sectors, with a unique background spanning high-growth Fortune 50, emerging and mid-market private companies, as well as companies in turnaround situations.

She holds a BA from Stanford and an MBA from University of California, Berkeley.

Advisors

Susan Angele

Senior Advisor, Board Governance - KPMG Board Leadership Center

Stephen Babson

Director – Columbia Sportswear Company, Pendleton Woolen Mills, ATL Technology, Entek, Pacific Market International, Pacific Star Communications, OFD Foods, USNR