PowerBoard Governance

Governance is how groups of people determine how they will work with and make decisions together, and be accountable.  Blending expertise in corporate and family governance, the Watermark PowerBoard Program can help you deepen your capacity for effective leadership, and promote a healthier culture in your foundation, family, or charity – anytime or during times of challenge and transition. 

Sherilyn Hale

Watermark PowerBoard Program: What you need for the governance you want.

We offer a suite of governance services to meet your governance needs and fill material gaps, at any stage of your governance journey.  Contact us to explore how we can help.

board kickstart

1. Board KICKSTART

Just getting started as a new private or public foundation?  We offer support to get your governance glowing.

We’ll help you craft governance purposes, board structures, policies, and practices appropriate to your circumstances, organization or family that will enable you to govern with ease and confidence.         

board checkup

2. Board CHECK-UP

Explore the health and performance of your board with our 5-domain board assessment. 

This review identifies governance strengths and gaps, and gets to the root of common board challenges so they can be tackled.  Completed within 4-6 weeks, you’ll receive a detailed assessment report with recommendations as well as a prioritized action list for growth and development. We can also support implementation with coaching and director education.

board builder

3. Board BUILDER

We can help build the strength and capacity of your board.  We offer a portfolio of engaging director and family learning experiences and workshops, available in in-person and virtual formats, including:  

  • Board Leadership & Engagement: Fundamentals for Success
  • Strategic Board Building & Development
  • Grantmaking and Engagement Principles and Practices for Foundation Boards
  • Show Me the Money: Creating a Philanthropic Culture
  • The Board/Staff Partnership: How to Share Leadership and Get Results

Working with boards, board chairs, CEOs and families, we also serve as coach and sounding board to navigate change and transition, your partner in strategy development, and we can facilitate critical conversations and board retreats.        

board wizard

4. Board WIZARD

For many foundations, managing and supporting appropriate board governance can be a challenge due to restraints on time, resources, and knowledge. 

Board Wizard will lift this responsibility off your plate offering hands-on board management and coordination.  We’ll work closely with you to develop a board calendar, prepare meeting packages and minutes, establish a board platform, support committees and send meeting reminders. We’ll even help you prepare your annual filings.

“Who knew governance could be so much fun??!! Sharilyn is a master teacher.”

Client, 2023