A panel discussion and screening of the film OnBoard will take place on Sunday at Pendo Headquarters in Raleigh.

OnBoard follows the evolution of board diversity as seen through the eyes of Black women who are making a positive difference in global corporate spaces.

Sponsored by BWOB (Black Women On Boards), Pendo and Microsoft, the event will include a panel featuring Black women executives who will discuss the critical importance of diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of corporate leadership.

Moderating the event is Jes Averhart, CEO at Jes & Co. and creator of Reinvention Road Trip.

“Black women on boards is not just a matter of representation; it’s about leveraging the full spectrum of talent and perspectives to drive better business outcomes and create a more equitable and inclusive society,” said Jes Averhart. “I’m excited to explore this and more on Sunday with the rockstar panel assembled by Pendo and Microsoft!”

The panel features executive women who have shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for increased representation in corporate boardrooms:

  • Rashida Hodge – Microsoft – Corporate Vice President, Data & AI Customer Success
  • Gina Loften – Fortune 500 Board Member
  • Trisha Price – Chief Product Officer at Pendo.io

Audience members will hear stories of resilience, triumph and leadership as the panelists share their experiences navigating the corporate landscape.

From challenging norms to redefining expectations, these executives exemplify the transformative impact of diverse voices in shaping strategic decisions, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable business success.

About OnBoard

During the Summer of 2020, two friends, Merline Saintil and Robin Washington, were among a few Black women who sat on corporate boards. They believed corporate diversity starts at the top, and they took on the historically white male-dominated space of America’s board rooms. Merline and Robin invited 18 women to a Zoom happy hour to hatch a plan.  One of the panelists for this event, Rashida Hodge, was one of the original 18 women involved in that first meeting.

Eighteen months and 200 Black women later, a global movement was born — one that retooled the boardroom’s age-old board member process and increased the presence of Black women on the boards of public and private companies, changing the thinking of Corporate America and inspiring generations of young women of color to come.

More information can be found at ONBOARD and the trailer can be seen online.

The event will take place March 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pendo Headquarters in Raleigh, NC.

About Chuck Hester

Chuck Hester is the co-founder and  managing partner of A Purpose Partnership, a marketing and business consulting firm that works with clients to kickstart their success.

During his 35-year career, Chuck has worked with numerous small- and medium-sized businesses, with a highlight having served on the iContact executive team that grew the company to $50 million in sales and exited at $169 million.