Susan L. Blount
From 2005 to 2015, Susan Blount served as General Counsel of Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential), a leading provider of insurance, retirement and asset management products and services. In that role,
ABOUT US
The mission of DirectWomen is to increase the representation of women lawyers on corporate boards.
Nearly 40% of DirectWomen alumni have been elected to serve on at least one corporate board.
OUR VALUE PROPOSITION
Research by Catalyst and many other organizations, including McKinsey & Company and Credit Suisse, reveals that companies with women board members, particularly those with three or more women board members, financially outperform, on average, those with fewer or no women board members.
Empirical studies indicate that lawyer-directors’ professional judgment, legal expertise, and familiarity with regulation and risk management improve the value and operation of the company.
Do you know a company that is seeking qualified candidates for their board of directors? Find out more information about DirectWomen’s alumni via our online database or email DirectWomen’s Executive Director, Shawn Taylor Kaminski, at skaminski@directwomen.org or call DirectWomen at (833) 239-6636 for specialized board recommendations.
OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
DirectWomen is pleased to offer a variety of virtual video programs. To watch past programs, visit our on-demand virtual programs library.
SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR BOARD EXCELLENCE AWARD LUNCHEON
At the Luncheon, DirectWomen presents awards that celebrate lawyer directors and excellence in board service. DirectWomen’s awards include: the Sandra Day O’Connor Board Excellence Award, the Distinguished Alumna Award, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Corporate Board Award, and the Mary Ann Jorgenson Board Empowerment Award.
BOARD INSTITUTE
The annual Board Institute is a key way in which DirectWomen fulfills its mission.
More than 285 lawyers have participated in the Board Institute over the past 18 years and provide a rich pool of director candidates.
INTERNATIONAL BOARDS PROGRAM
In 2023, DirectWomen hosted its first-ever program outside the United States, Unlocking the Secrets of International Board Opportunities, in London. The sold-out program brought together more than 100 CEOs, board directors, search firm executives, general counsel, top law firm leaders, and aspiring board directors.
Seeing a demand for DirectWomen’s unique programming abroad, the organization held its International Boards Program again in 2024 at the United States of America Embassy in London. The program sold-out again in 2024, with nearly double the capacity.
The 2025 International Boards Program will be held at the London Stock Exchange in June.
SUCCESS STORIES
Simone Wu
An accomplished leader, C-Suite executive, and corporate board member, Simone Wu has over 30 years of experience in technology, telecommunications, travel, hospitality, and franchising. She brings a pragmatic global perspective
Laurie B. Keating
Laurie is an enterprise-wide, strategic leader with entrepreneurial insights and three decades of executive management, Board and Board counselling experience in diverse settings. She has expertise in M&A, business development,