Level Up Your Career

Serving on a corporate board of directors can be a lucrative side gig or second career for high-profile executives and recent retirees. Board membership is less stressful and time-consuming than earlier positions board members have taken on, while still offering an impressive income.

  • The average Board Member salary in the United States is $73,401.

  • Compensation for board members can easily reach $300,000 to $500,000 a year, according to Veritas, an executive compensation consulting service.

  • The most lucrative seats go to directors at S&P 500 companies. Average compensation in 2018 at those firms was $304,856, according to Reuters.

Board Openings Galore

With the right plan, you could become a highly-paid director.

Under pressure for diversity, corporate boards seek more women, minorities, and younger executives with different cultural and functional backgrounds. There's never been a better time for these individuals to participate in the boardroom. 


In addition, if you are a professional with a deep subject matter specialty, your prospects for a corporate directorship may rise rapidly!


Subject matter experts being seated at today's corporate board tables include those with command of:

  • Digital technology 
  • Cyber fraud
  • Social media
  • International market entry 
  • Corporate governance
  • Scientific knowledge for science-based companies 
  • Political navigation for heavily regulated companies


This list is just the tip of the iceberg. New subject matter skills are constantly emerging in today's rapidly-changing business environment.


Being a director is a prestigious position and can increase your status while getting paid rewardingly. Serving on the board of a successful company is also a great learning opportunity. You will also build connections with heavy hitters within the business community.


However, the bar for "board readiness" has never been higher. Directors must understand corporate governance, demonstrate technical know-how, and generate sustainable long-term performance. With BDI's Board Fundamentals course, you will be ready to serve on any board of directors.

Board Fundamentals

Course Curriculum

  1. 1
  2. 2

    • Fiduciary Duties

    • Duty of Care

    • Duty of Loyalty

    • Duty of Obedience

    • Duty of Disclosure

    • Preparing for Board Duty

    • Sample Conflicts of Interest for Directors
  3. 3

    • Corporate Structure

    • Types of Directors

    • Board Chairperson

    • Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

    • Corporate Secretary

    • Board Observers

    • Board Advisor

    • General Counsel

    • Lead Director
  4. 4

    • Vision, Mission, & Core Values

    • The Board's Role in Strategy

    • Corporate Policies

    • Annual Budget

    • Risk Oversight

    • The Board and the Chief Executive

    • Corporate Governance

    • Voting
  5. 5

    • Robert's Rules of Order

    • Robert's Rules of Order (Part 2)

    • Meeting Attendance

    • Time Commitment

    • Board Ettiquette

Course Costs

Prepare yourself for your first board role.