Gupta Governance Institute Hosts 17th Directors Academy
The Raj & Kamla Gupta Governance Institute hosted the 17th Directors Academy program in late-October. It was the first time holding the corporate directorship certification program in person since 2019, and the program’s curriculum was changed to reflect the changing roles of directors post-pandemic.
The academy provides participants an understanding of the increasingly complex and ever-changing role of a corporate board member, preparing them to contribute to discussions occurring in the boardroom.
“This year’s group of attendees was the most qualified, diverse group in the program’s history,” said Cassandra Brown, executive director, Gupta Governance Institute and Office of Alumni Relations and Engagement. “We were proud to host them at Drexel LeBow and help facilitate the exchange of ideas among such regarded industry leaders.”
In addition to exchanging ideas, the highly interactive program allows participants to gain valuable insights from experts, as well as from each other, into trends that directly affect their performance as they serve on today’s boards.
Glenn Booraem, who joined the College as Industry Chair of the Gupta Governance Institute in January, served as one of the program’s experts. A principal in the Office of the General Counsel at Vanguard, Booraem leads strategic initiatives in Vanguard’s Office of the General Counsel. Along with Paolo Volpin, academic director of the Gupta Governance Institute and Stratakis Chair Professor in Corporate Governance in the Department of Finance, he guided the participants through topics such as board purpose and oversight, operating models, and committees. Other topics included boardroom culture and positioning for a board role.
“We are grateful to Glenn for his work in ensuring this year’s thoughtful and engaging agenda,” said Brown.
The 17th Directors Academy’s certificate candidates included experts in finance, healthcare, law, marketing, nonprofit, real estate and technology. They are CEOs, community leaders and one candidate was a former senior advisor to President Obama.
“The Directors Academy brings together an extraordinary group of leaders and provides profoundly relevant insights into modern board governance. LeBow is proud to develop the next generation of diverse directors,” said Dean and R. John Chapel Jr. Dean’s Chair Vibhas Madan, PhD.
Glenn Booraem brings two decades of investment stewardship experience from one of the world’s leading investment management companies to LeBow.
Volpin comes to LeBow from the Bayes Business School – City, University of London, where he served in several leadership roles.
