How do senior leaders actually land a seat on a corporate board - and what does board-ready really mean?

In this episode of Driving Impact: The Top 5% Method, we sit down with Gail to unpack her journey from banking and retail to technology leadership - and ultimately to serving on the board of a $5B NASDAQ-listed company.

Gail shares candid insights into how board appointments really happen, why personal brand and visibility matter more than people think, and how executive leaders can intentionally prepare themselves for board service long before headhunters come calling.

We explore the crucial difference between being executive-ready and board-ready, what boards actually look for beyond titles, and why nonprofit and pre-IPO board experience can be a powerful stepping stone. Gail also demystifies board committees, governance, and the financial realities of public company boards - insights rarely discussed openly.

To close, Gail steps into the Hot Seat for a rapid-fire conversation on success, leadership, career acceleration, and the habits that separate the top 5% from the rest.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why there is no “corporate ladder” - and what careers really look like
• How board seats are sourced (and why visibility matters)
• The difference between a résumé and a board bio
• What boards actually value: impact, judgment, and pattern recognition
• Audit committees, governance, and financial fluency
• When leaders should start thinking about board service
• The role of nonprofits, advisory boards, and pre-IPO companies
• How ambitious professionals can intentionally become board-ready

If you’re a senior leader, executive, or ambitious professional thinking about long-term career leverage, governance, and influence - this episode is a must-listen.

Follow Gail on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gailmoodybyrd

All copyrights belong to @ Driving Impact LLC