Future Board Leaders 2024

The Leadership Academy is delighted to announce in partnership with Boardmatch Ireland the next intake of Future Board Leaders

Boardmatch Ireland is the Irish charity that specialises in not-for-profit board recruitment. They connect individuals who are interested in volunteering their skills with organisations that have board vacancies.

After the success of our 2023 pilot, together we are re-running our programme to introduce new voices to Irish Charity Boards through a Board Placement Programme

The Future Board Leaders Programme focuses on increasing the engagement of traditionally underrepresented voices on boards. As well as actively recruiting and supporting these voices, we will be actively working with the associated charities to support building their trustee diversity in a supported way.

How does it work?

Boardmatch use their extensive network and expertise to identify a number of suitable organisations looking to make real change to their organisations through diversifying their boards.

The Leadership Academy will recruits people interested in joining a Board as a charity trustee.

We also have a limited number of places for emerging leaders of underrepresented voices who may have recently joined a board, who would like to learn more or develop a support network at the early stage of their trustee career.

We will connect interested boards with candidates and when we successful match a Board and candidate, those participants will join the board and attend our co-designed training programme.

Please note only participants who are successfully matched with a Board will be eligible to attend the programme.

Who should apply?

You

• Would you like to hear different voices represented across Ireland?
• Do you want to see positive change in your community and society?
• Are you a keen volunteer? Would you like to be?
• Would you like to grow your network?
• Do you want to get experience?
• Do you want to learn new skills?
• Do you want to meet new people?

If you fill even one of these criteria, please apply. DO NOT DISQUALIFY YOURSELF. Apply and let the process decide.

Some of the new voices from 2023 are in the word cloud

I’m in what next?

If you like what you see, simply fill out a short form to sign up for more information. You can download a Future Board Leaders – Programme Overview Here

You will receive an invite to attend one of our informational webinars. Please note you MUST attend one of the webinars to receive the final application form.

Timeline

Webinar dates are:

13th February at 10am

15th February at 7pm

19th February at 1pm

A full application form will be sent to people who attend the webinar and are happy to proceed.

Closing date to receive the applications is the 1st March

Successful candidates will be notified on the 11th of March

Provisional matches will be made on the 21st March

There will be two in person training days that must be attended to complete the programme, these will be held on Saturdays in Dublin City Centre. There are bursaries available for public travel to the city centre to attend the event and lunch will be provided.

And if you want more info you can email Hannah from Boardmatch at HannahColeman@boardmatch.ie, or Sharon from The Leadership Academy at Sharon@wheel.ie.

Information for interested Boards

If you are on a Board that would be interested in taking one of our Future Board Leaders you can see more information on Boardmatches website HERE

Simple fill out this short Expression of Interest for Boards form to receive more information

Does it work?

We’re only one year in but feedback from our first cohort has been really positive, see for yourself

Future board leaders has really changed the way I see the role of a board trustee, and how my life experiences are just as important as a financial or human resources expert when it comes to good governance. My confidence grew through the training and although I didn’t match with a board this time, I had a great support system behind me with the facilitators and fellow trainees. Highly recommend anyone interested in joining a board to take part in the experience. It will change your life 

Louise Kavanagh, 2023 Programme Participant

I was so delighted to get the opportunity to take part of the “Future Board Leaders” programme as I had never thought about how my current experiences would add value to a charity board. Joining this programme not only provided information about the charity sector and the role of trustees, but it also included training and amazing support from Sharon and Hannah, who were with us during the matching and interviewing process. Lastly I will add my favourite thing about the programme was having the opportunity to meet and go through it with an amazing selection of people who are feeling the same way as me! A truly inspiring network to be a part of!   

Melissa Ndakengerwa, 2023 Programme Participant and Board Member of Aware 

I truly cannot recommend the ‘Future Board Leaders’ programme enough. As a young queer woman from rural Ireland, I struggled to have the confidence to believe in myself & recognise the value my voice could bring to the world of governance. However, through taking part in this programme, I have not only received top class governance training, I finally have the confidence to take my seat at the table & have recently joined my first board as a trustee. Thanks Sharon & Hannah. 

Amy McRory, 2023 programme Participant and Board Member of the YMCA Dublin

Are you gauranteed a Board position?

No. Not everyone on the programme got a position the first time round for a variety of reasons. That’s fine. We are happy to have people on the programme that don’t match now but hopefully with training and support will join a Charity Board at a later date.

Still Here? Who are Sharon and Hannah?

Sharon Hughes is the Leadership Academy Manager, a project of The Wheel, Ireland association for the Community, Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprise sector.

Hannah Coleman is the Communications and Education manager for Boardmatch Ireland.

Future Board Leaders – Programme Overview 2024 FINAL Future Board Leaders – Programme Overview 2024 FINAL