Wanting to be on a board and being ready for board service are not the same thing. Some people spend years building relationships, understanding governance, and positioning themselves as trusted advisors. Others rush the process and undermine their credibility before a real conversation even begins. Sonya Olds Som, Global Managing Partner and leader of the Legal, Risk, and Compliance Practice at DSG Global, conducts executive and board searches across industries. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar and Sonya break down what truly signals board readiness, why mindset matters as much as experience, and how your personal brand either builds trust or raises red flags in the boardroom.

1:10 – The best piece of professional advice Sonya has received, habits that keep her focused, and one surprising fact about her

5:29 – How the boardroom impression “nose in, fingers out” changes the way you talk about your expertise and value

12:20 – The kinds of people boards are always looking for and how opportunities have opened up in the last few years

15:14 – How to pivot to make yourself attractive to boards with less directly-connected experience than what they typically look for

17:56 – How to answer tough experience questions in an interview without selling yourself short or pretending to be something you’re not

21:24 –  One of the best ways to prepare yourself to be a board member (and why treating it as “easy money” is a bad move)

34:10 – Ways to maximize your visibility and presence without oversharing or feeling like you're self-promoting too aggressively

41:39 – How nonprofit boards, school communities, and passion projects can quietly position you for paid board opportunities 

48:11 – General mistakes you should avoid when positioning yourself to be a board member 

52:41 – How to approach your first board seat so it strengthens, rather than strains, your personal brand and your life

Diversified Search Group

Sonya Olds Som on LinkedIn

The Strategic Power of Intentional Connection with Sonya Olds Soms

Girls Inc. of Chicago

The American Writers Museum

Dressed in Joy

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This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.

PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.

Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.

To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at [email protected], and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.