The Certified Chair™ Executive Program

The Credential for Advisory Board Professionals

Demand for skilled leaders and advisory board professionals has never been higher.

The Certified Chair™ Executive Program is the flagship pathway for CEOs, senior executives, founders, and both aspiring and seasoned board members to step into or expand their portfolio through advisory boards.

To learn more about how you would leverage your previous skills and experience to add value to businesses in an advisory role, book a 1:1 call with a member of our team.

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Location

Learn Anywhere in the World

The Certified Chair™ Executive Program is delivered year-round across key global hubs, giving you the flexibility to choose a time and location that best fits your schedule.

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In-Person Program (2 full days)

Auckland, New Zealand

21-22 July 2026

Brisbane, Australia

6-7 August 2026 or
3-4 December 2026

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

23-24 March 2026 or
29-30 September 2026

Hong Kong (SAR), China

11-12 May 2026

London, United Kingdom

8-9 June 2026

Melbourne, Australia

21-22 April 2026 or
7-8 October 2026

New York, USA

16-17 June 2026

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

5-6 May 2026 or
27-28 October 2026

Singapore

2-3 September 2026

Sydney, Australia

16-17 March 2026 or
20-21 August 2026

Virtual Programs (4 half days)

Asia-Pacific
23-26 June 2026

UK and USA
28 April to 1 May 2026

Program Graduates

Profile Snapshot

Traci Hughes | USA
"I highly recommend the Program if you're looking to begin your Advisory journey. You connect immediately with a cohort and the data-informed program balances time for discussion, exercises and practical application."

Where is Traci now?

Traci now chairs or participates in advisory and board work across Education, Legal and Workforce Technology sectors with a strategic focus on transformation, commercial, strategy, people and governance.
Patrick Lauzon | Canada
“A pivotal moment came when I joined the advisory board of a company that grew to over $2 billion. That experience shaped my view of how transformative the right advisors and governance structure can be."

Where is Patrick now?

Now Chairs and advises across automotive, health, food & hospitality, media and technology ventures.
Heather Disher | Australia
From Corporate GM to governance, consulting and advisory portfolio professional
"The Certified Chair™ program sharpened my advisory skillset and gave me the proven framework to lead with greater clarity, confidence and measurable impact across every client."

Where is Heather now?

Heather now chairs or advises across NFPs, financial services, animal welfare, sport, and early-stage ventures
Neil Hayward | UK
Former FTSE 100 Chief People Officer transitioned from Corporate Career to Portfolio
"The program gave me the structure and confidence to turn decades of executive experience into real strategic value for the boards I now chair."

Where is Neil now?

Neil now chairs six advisory boards across health, medtech, HR tech and education and secured his first advisory board role within 6 months of getting certified.
Annalie Killian | France
Strategist & Innovation Advisor of 20+ years looking to expand her global portfolio
“The Certified Chair™ program gave me the frameworks to scale my board work, bringing clarity, purpose and structure to a diversity of clients and boards."

Where is Annalie now?

Annalie now Chairs and advises across healthtech, innovation, culture, corporate reputation and SDG-aligned ventures
Paul Loo | Singapore
Experienced search firm Managing Director now expanding his portfolio as a mentor, advisor and connector
"The Certified Chair™ program helped me reframe my executive experience into something advisory-ready — strategic, structured, and network-driven"

Where is Paul now?

Paul is now using advisory boards to lead his transition phase — combining paid advisory, board roles, and business consulting
Traci Hughes | USA
"I highly recommend the Program if you're looking to begin your Advisory journey. You connect immediately with a cohort and the data-informed program balances time for discussion, exercises and practical application."

Where is Traci now?

Traci now chairs or participates in advisory and board work across Education, Legal and Workforce Technology sectors with a strategic focus on transformation, commercial, strategy, people and governance.
Patrick Lauzon | Canada
“A pivotal moment came when I joined the advisory board of a company that grew to over $2 billion. That experience shaped my view of how transformative the right advisors and governance structure can be."

Where is Patrick now?

Now Chairs and advises across automotive, health, food & hospitality, media and technology ventures.
Heather Disher | Australia
From Corporate GM to governance, consulting and advisory portfolio professional
"The Certified Chair™ program sharpened my advisory skillset and gave me the proven framework to lead with greater clarity, confidence and measurable impact across every client."

Where is Heather now?

Heather now chairs or advises across NFPs, financial services, animal welfare, sport, and early-stage ventures
Neil Hayward | UK
Former FTSE 100 Chief People Officer transitioned from Corporate Career to Portfolio
"The program gave me the structure and confidence to turn decades of executive experience into real strategic value for the boards I now chair."

Where is Neil now?

Neil now chairs six advisory boards across health, medtech, HR tech and education and secured his first advisory board role within 6 months of getting certified.
Annalie Killian | France
Strategist & Innovation Advisor of 20+ years looking to expand her global portfolio
“The Certified Chair™ program gave me the frameworks to scale my board work, bringing clarity, purpose and structure to a diversity of clients and boards."

Where is Annalie now?

Annalie now Chairs and advises across healthtech, innovation, culture, corporate reputation and SDG-aligned ventures
Paul Loo | Singapore
Experienced search firm Managing Director now expanding his portfolio as a mentor, advisor and connector
"The Certified Chair™ program helped me reframe my executive experience into something advisory-ready — strategic, structured, and network-driven"

Where is Paul now?

Paul is now using advisory boards to lead his transition phase — combining paid advisory, board roles, and business consulting
Traci Hughes | USA
"I highly recommend the Program if you're looking to begin your Advisory journey. You connect immediately with a cohort and the data-informed program balances time for discussion, exercises and practical application."

Where is Traci now?

Traci now chairs or participates in advisory and board work across Education, Legal and Workforce Technology sectors with a strategic focus on transformation, commercial, strategy, people and governance.
Patrick Lauzon | Canada
“A pivotal moment came when I joined the advisory board of a company that grew to over $2 billion. That experience shaped my view of how transformative the right advisors and governance structure can be."

Where is Patrick now?

Now Chairs and advises across automotive, health, food & hospitality, media and technology ventures.
Heather Disher | Australia
From Corporate GM to governance, consulting and advisory portfolio professional
"The Certified Chair™ program sharpened my advisory skillset and gave me the proven framework to lead with greater clarity, confidence and measurable impact across every client."

Where is Heather now?

Heather now chairs or advises across NFPs, financial services, animal welfare, sport, and early-stage ventures
Neil Hayward | UK
Former FTSE 100 Chief People Officer transitioned from Corporate Career to Portfolio
"The program gave me the structure and confidence to turn decades of executive experience into real strategic value for the boards I now chair."

Where is Neil now?

Neil now chairs six advisory boards across health, medtech, HR tech and education and secured his first advisory board role within 6 months of getting certified.
Annalie Killian | France
Strategist & Innovation Advisor of 20+ years looking to expand her global portfolio
“The Certified Chair™ program gave me the frameworks to scale my board work, bringing clarity, purpose and structure to a diversity of clients and boards."

Where is Annalie now?

Annalie now Chairs and advises across healthtech, innovation, culture, corporate reputation and SDG-aligned ventures
Paul Loo | Singapore
Experienced search firm Managing Director now expanding his portfolio as a mentor, advisor and connector
"The Certified Chair™ program helped me reframe my executive experience into something advisory-ready — strategic, structured, and network-driven"

Where is Paul now?

Paul is now using advisory boards to lead his transition phase — combining paid advisory, board roles, and business consulting
Traci Hughes | USA
"I highly recommend the Program if you're looking to begin your Advisory journey. You connect immediately with a cohort and the data-informed program balances time for discussion, exercises and practical application."

Where is Traci now?

Traci now chairs or participates in advisory and board work across Education, Legal and Workforce Technology sectors with a strategic focus on transformation, commercial, strategy, people and governance.
Patrick Lauzon | Canada
“A pivotal moment came when I joined the advisory board of a company that grew to over $2 billion. That experience shaped my view of how transformative the right advisors and governance structure can be."

Where is Patrick now?

Now Chairs and advises across automotive, health, food & hospitality, media and technology ventures.
Heather Disher | Australia
From Corporate GM to governance, consulting and advisory portfolio professional
"The Certified Chair™ program sharpened my advisory skillset and gave me the proven framework to lead with greater clarity, confidence and measurable impact across every client."

Where is Heather now?

Heather now chairs or advises across NFPs, financial services, animal welfare, sport, and early-stage ventures
Neil Hayward | UK
Former FTSE 100 Chief People Officer transitioned from Corporate Career to Portfolio
"The program gave me the structure and confidence to turn decades of executive experience into real strategic value for the boards I now chair."

Where is Neil now?

Neil now chairs six advisory boards across health, medtech, HR tech and education and secured his first advisory board role within 6 months of getting certified.
Annalie Killian | France
Strategist & Innovation Advisor of 20+ years looking to expand her global portfolio
“The Certified Chair™ program gave me the frameworks to scale my board work, bringing clarity, purpose and structure to a diversity of clients and boards."

Where is Annalie now?

Annalie now Chairs and advises across healthtech, innovation, culture, corporate reputation and SDG-aligned ventures
Paul Loo | Singapore
Experienced search firm Managing Director now expanding his portfolio as a mentor, advisor and connector
"The Certified Chair™ program helped me reframe my executive experience into something advisory-ready — strategic, structured, and network-driven"

Where is Paul now?

Paul is now using advisory boards to lead his transition phase — combining paid advisory, board roles, and business consulting

Traci Hughes | USA
"I highly recommend the Program if you're looking to begin your Advisory journey. You connect immediately with a cohort and the data-informed program balances time for discussion, exercises and practical application."

Where is Traci now?

Traci now chairs or participates in advisory and board work across Education, Legal and Workforce Technology sectors with a strategic focus on transformation, commercial, strategy, people and governance.
Patrick Lauzon | Canada
“A pivotal moment came when I joined the advisory board of a company that grew to over $2 billion. That experience shaped my view of how transformative the right advisors and governance structure can be."

Where is Patrick now?

Now Chairs and advises across automotive, health, food & hospitality, media and technology ventures.
Heather Disher | Australia
From Corporate GM to governance, consulting and advisory portfolio professional
"The Certified Chair™ program sharpened my advisory skillset and gave me the proven framework to lead with greater clarity, confidence and measurable impact across every client."

Where is Heather now?

Heather now chairs or advises across NFPs, financial services, animal welfare, sport, and early-stage ventures
Neil Hayward | UK
Former FTSE 100 Chief People Officer transitioned from Corporate Career to Portfolio
"The program gave me the structure and confidence to turn decades of executive experience into real strategic value for the boards I now chair."

Where is Neil now?

Neil now chairs six advisory boards across health, medtech, HR tech and education and secured his first advisory board role within 6 months of getting certified.
Annalie Killian | France
Strategist & Innovation Advisor of 20+ years looking to expand her global portfolio
“The Certified Chair™ program gave me the frameworks to scale my board work, bringing clarity, purpose and structure to a diversity of clients and boards."

Where is Annalie now?

Annalie now Chairs and advises across healthtech, innovation, culture, corporate reputation and SDG-aligned ventures
Paul Loo | Singapore
Experienced search firm Managing Director now expanding his portfolio as a mentor, advisor and connector
"The Certified Chair™ program helped me reframe my executive experience into something advisory-ready — strategic, structured, and network-driven"

Where is Paul now?

Paul is now using advisory boards to lead his transition phase — combining paid advisory, board roles, and business consulting
Traci Hughes | USA
"I highly recommend the Program if you're looking to begin your Advisory journey. You connect immediately with a cohort and the data-informed program balances time for discussion, exercises and practical application."

Where is Traci now?

Traci now chairs or participates in advisory and board work across Education, Legal and Workforce Technology sectors with a strategic focus on transformation, commercial, strategy, people and governance.
Patrick Lauzon | Canada
“A pivotal moment came when I joined the advisory board of a company that grew to over $2 billion. That experience shaped my view of how transformative the right advisors and governance structure can be."

Where is Patrick now?

Now Chairs and advises across automotive, health, food & hospitality, media and technology ventures.
Heather Disher | Australia
From Corporate GM to governance, consulting and advisory portfolio professional
"The Certified Chair™ program sharpened my advisory skillset and gave me the proven framework to lead with greater clarity, confidence and measurable impact across every client."

Where is Heather now?

Heather now chairs or advises across NFPs, financial services, animal welfare, sport, and early-stage ventures
Neil Hayward | UK
Former FTSE 100 Chief People Officer transitioned from Corporate Career to Portfolio
"The program gave me the structure and confidence to turn decades of executive experience into real strategic value for the boards I now chair."

Where is Neil now?

Neil now chairs six advisory boards across health, medtech, HR tech and education and secured his first advisory board role within 6 months of getting certified.
Annalie Killian | France
Strategist & Innovation Advisor of 20+ years looking to expand her global portfolio
“The Certified Chair™ program gave me the frameworks to scale my board work, bringing clarity, purpose and structure to a diversity of clients and boards."

Where is Annalie now?

Annalie now Chairs and advises across healthtech, innovation, culture, corporate reputation and SDG-aligned ventures
Paul Loo | Singapore
Experienced search firm Managing Director now expanding his portfolio as a mentor, advisor and connector
"The Certified Chair™ program helped me reframe my executive experience into something advisory-ready — strategic, structured, and network-driven"

Where is Paul now?

Paul is now using advisory boards to lead his transition phase — combining paid advisory, board roles, and business consulting
Traci Hughes | USA
"I highly recommend the Program if you're looking to begin your Advisory journey. You connect immediately with a cohort and the data-informed program balances time for discussion, exercises and practical application."

Where is Traci now?

Traci now chairs or participates in advisory and board work across Education, Legal and Workforce Technology sectors with a strategic focus on transformation, commercial, strategy, people and governance.
Patrick Lauzon | Canada
“A pivotal moment came when I joined the advisory board of a company that grew to over $2 billion. That experience shaped my view of how transformative the right advisors and governance structure can be."

Where is Patrick now?

Now Chairs and advises across automotive, health, food & hospitality, media and technology ventures.
Heather Disher | Australia
From Corporate GM to governance, consulting and advisory portfolio professional
"The Certified Chair™ program sharpened my advisory skillset and gave me the proven framework to lead with greater clarity, confidence and measurable impact across every client."

Where is Heather now?

Heather now chairs or advises across NFPs, financial services, animal welfare, sport, and early-stage ventures
Neil Hayward | UK
Former FTSE 100 Chief People Officer transitioned from Corporate Career to Portfolio
"The program gave me the structure and confidence to turn decades of executive experience into real strategic value for the boards I now chair."

Where is Neil now?

Neil now chairs six advisory boards across health, medtech, HR tech and education and secured his first advisory board role within 6 months of getting certified.
Annalie Killian | France
Strategist & Innovation Advisor of 20+ years looking to expand her global portfolio
“The Certified Chair™ program gave me the frameworks to scale my board work, bringing clarity, purpose and structure to a diversity of clients and boards."

Where is Annalie now?

Annalie now Chairs and advises across healthtech, innovation, culture, corporate reputation and SDG-aligned ventures
Paul Loo | Singapore
Experienced search firm Managing Director now expanding his portfolio as a mentor, advisor and connector
"The Certified Chair™ program helped me reframe my executive experience into something advisory-ready — strategic, structured, and network-driven"

Where is Paul now?

Paul is now using advisory boards to lead his transition phase — combining paid advisory, board roles, and business consulting
Traci Hughes | USA
"I highly recommend the Program if you're looking to begin your Advisory journey. You connect immediately with a cohort and the data-informed program balances time for discussion, exercises and practical application."

Where is Traci now?

Traci now chairs or participates in advisory and board work across Education, Legal and Workforce Technology sectors with a strategic focus on transformation, commercial, strategy, people and governance.
Patrick Lauzon | Canada
“A pivotal moment came when I joined the advisory board of a company that grew to over $2 billion. That experience shaped my view of how transformative the right advisors and governance structure can be."

Where is Patrick now?

Now Chairs and advises across automotive, health, food & hospitality, media and technology ventures.
Heather Disher | Australia
From Corporate GM to governance, consulting and advisory portfolio professional
"The Certified Chair™ program sharpened my advisory skillset and gave me the proven framework to lead with greater clarity, confidence and measurable impact across every client."

Where is Heather now?

Heather now chairs or advises across NFPs, financial services, animal welfare, sport, and early-stage ventures
Neil Hayward | UK
Former FTSE 100 Chief People Officer transitioned from Corporate Career to Portfolio
"The program gave me the structure and confidence to turn decades of executive experience into real strategic value for the boards I now chair."

Where is Neil now?

Neil now chairs six advisory boards across health, medtech, HR tech and education and secured his first advisory board role within 6 months of getting certified.
Annalie Killian | France
Strategist & Innovation Advisor of 20+ years looking to expand her global portfolio
“The Certified Chair™ program gave me the frameworks to scale my board work, bringing clarity, purpose and structure to a diversity of clients and boards."

Where is Annalie now?

Annalie now Chairs and advises across healthtech, innovation, culture, corporate reputation and SDG-aligned ventures
Paul Loo | Singapore
Experienced search firm Managing Director now expanding his portfolio as a mentor, advisor and connector
"The Certified Chair™ program helped me reframe my executive experience into something advisory-ready — strategic, structured, and network-driven"

Where is Paul now?

Paul is now using advisory boards to lead his transition phase — combining paid advisory, board roles, and business consulting

Modules

Program Content

The program combines practical frameworks, case studies, and peer-to-peer learning to equip you with the knowledge and skills to lead and participate on advisory boards with confidence.

Module 1: Advisory Boards and Committees

Introduction to the ABF101: Advisory Board Best Practice Framework™

Understand drivers and motivations of organisations using advisory boards today
Insight into the relationship of advisory boards with governance boards and executive teams
Explore how an advisory board strategy operates within a broader governance system
Understand the types and models of advisory boards
Explore the ethical boundaries between consultancy, advisory and directorship

Module 2: Establishing Advisory Boards

Explore best practice methodologies to establish an advisory board

Introduction to tools and resources to establish and manage an advisory board
Learn techniques in building trust through conversation techniques
Understand how to build priorities for the advisory board charter
Learn techniques to identify measurements of success and measurement of impact
Navigate self assessment tools and practical approaches in understanding organisational needs
Gain insight into techniques for advisory board member selection and refreshing advisory boards

Module 3: Execute Advisory Boards with Impact

Insight into clarity of advisory board purpose

Explore techniques to manage advisory board protocols within a governance system
Understanding roles and responsibilities and managing internal stakeholders
Insight into managing the risk profile of advisory boards
Understand how to link purpose to structure selection, process development and impact measurement
Insight into best practice techniques in managing the charter, orientation, reports and agenda building
Introduction to managing conversation types at the advisory board table
Explore situational ethics and the Advisory Board Professional Code of Ethics

Module 4: Market Profiling and Personal Brand

Explore techniques to build your profile and positioning in the market as an advisory board professional

Explore techniques in building a portfolio and maximising your personal impact
Insight into building trust and creating a business case for organisations implementing advisory boards
Understand methods to building a pipeline of advisory board opportunities
Explore the global network of advisory board professionals and how they work together
Navigate considerations in personal and professional planning
Preparation for your personalised mentoring meetings
Planning your personal transition

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Track Record

Trusted by Thousands across 30+ Countries

Corporate executives, founders, and board professionals from SMEs to multinationals and government bodies have chosen the Certified Chair™ Executive Program to build and expand their board portfolios to include advisory boards.

Book a Call