CONNOLLY & LUDWIG
POSITION YOURSELF FOR BOARD SERVICE
MASTERING CAREER TRANSITIONS
ANNOUNCEMENT
Next Pathway To The Boardroom
April 9th, 2025
OUR MISSION
At Connolly & Ludwig, we bring decades of expertise in talent elevation and board governance to guide individuals at every stage of their board journey. Whether you’re exploring your first board role or advancing as a seasoned leader, our tailored strategies empower you to achieve excellence, create meaningful impact, and shape the future of governance—one boardroom at a time.
TESTIMONIALS
NINA COREY
C-SUITE LEADER
"Participating in the Pathway to the Boardroom program was a transformative experience. The expertise of the panelists and the opportunity to engage in small group discussions provided a realistic and immersive experience. I feel well-prepared and equipped with the necessary tools and resources to pursue a board position. The program confirmed that there's a place for everyone in the boardroom."
DONEENE K. DAMON
EXECUTIVE LEADER
"Melissa and Patti are exceptional leaders in the realm of board service and governance. Their extensive experience is evident in the program they've developed, designed to equip women executives with the education and fundamentals necessary for board roles.
Through their organization, Melissa and Patti not only impart their knowledge but also create a collaborative environment where women can learn from each other. I'm thrilled about the opportunities this initiative offers and excited for the future it holds for female executives."
AMARA BRIGGS
BERNSTEIN PRIVATE
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
"Melissa and Patti Go beyond the headlines, offering clear, practical insights into the skills and temperament Private and Public Boards seek. Their engaging sessions and personalized coaching gave me the confidence to know I have the skills to be an effective board member. This program is an invaluable investment for anyone aspiring to serve on a board."
SHERYL AXELROD
THE AXELROD FIRM
"Patricia Connolly and Melissa Ludwig cultivated a wonderful cohort, facilitated our discussions, and engaged amazing speakers to present to us. It was a significant, substantive, and memorable day, and the coaching provided was also excellent.
I look forward to staying connected with everyone in my cohort and building our pathways to the boardroom."
LORI F. REINER
CPA
"Participating in Pathway to the Boardroom was incredibly enriching and significantly enhanced my preparedness for serving on a corporate board. The curriculum covered essential governance best practices, board search resources, and the importance of personal branding, all led by board members with real-world experience. The interactive sessions and networking opportunities with accomplished professionals were invaluable. I highly recommend this program to anyone ready for board service."
PATHWAY TO THE
BOARDROOM
Securing a seat in the boardroom demands a blend of strategic planning, professional development, networking, and leadership skills. Explore this guided pathway designed to propel you toward boardroom success.
This program is for:
Senior executives and C-suite leaders aspiring to join a board, seeking insights into board service duties and nuances.
Key Takeaways:
-
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the board's role and responsibilities.
-
Receive insights from leading recruiters on navigating the boardroom landscape and securing future board positions.
-
Equip yourself with the tools and resources essential for progress.
-
Benefit from 2 hours of personalized one-on-one career coaching/counseling to clarify your next steps.
-
Learn about committee structures and governance from experienced board members.
-
Offer quarterly webinars featuring current thought leaders who provide invaluable advice for today’s boardrooms
CAREER TRANSITION
ROADMAP
Embark on a transformative journey with our career-transitioning coaching and counseling services. Our seasoned experts specialize in guiding individuals through diverse stages of professional development, making it a valuable investment in ensuring your future success and career satisfaction.
Career Transition Coaching and Counseling is ideal for individuals in various situations, including those navigating changes in their professional lives. Common scenarios include:
-
Career Change
-
Advancement or Promotion
-
Entrepreneurial Pursuits
-
Returning to the Workforce
-
Executive and Leadership Development
-
Job Search Strategy
Key Takeaways:
Our commitment is to provide personalized guidance, support, and strategies tailored to your unique circumstances and goals. We offer assistance in making informed decisions, overcoming obstacles, and successfully navigating the complexities of career transitions. Your journey toward professional fulfillment begins here.
NONPROFIT BOARD
ASSESSMENTS
Why Conduct a Board Assessment?
A board assessment is a crucial step in adopting leading governance practices, allowing nonprofit boards to:
-
Align with the Mission: Ensure that every decision and strategy supports the organization's long-term vision. Regular assessments help keep the board focused and purpose-driven.
-
Improve Financial Oversight: Strengthen financial planning to secure long-term stability by identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.
-
Enhance Stakeholder Communication: Evaluate communication strategies with staff, donors, and the broader community to build trust and ensure transparency.
-
Prepare for Crisis Management: Regularly review crisis management plans to ensure your board is prepared for unexpected events and minimizes potential damage.
-
Foster Continuous Education: Through ongoing training and development, keep board members informed about the latest governance trends and best practices.
Partnering with Connolly & Ludwig for a board assessment will help your organization improve governance, drive mission success, and ensure long-term sustainability.
NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE
LEADERSHIP
Nonprofit governance is a cornerstone for upholding the integrity, transparency, and efficacy of organizations that serve the public good. This customized group education program teaches participants the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards and equips them with the tools to elevate their impact in the nonprofit sector through enhanced governance knowledge and practices.
This program designed is for:
-
Individuals currently serving on a nonprofit board.
-
Individuals aspiring to secure a nonprofit board seat.
-
Companies with employees serving on nonprofit boards or identified as having high potential aim to enhance their brand representation through nonprofit board service.
-
CEOs or Executive Directors seeking a deeper understanding of the board's role in effective governance and strategic oversight.
Key Takeaways:
-
Learn the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards.
-
Understand the framework for accountability, ensuring organizational actions align with stated purposes.
-
Develop skills for providing strategic oversight and governance.
-
Gain insights into compliance with leading practices.
-
Learn strategies to earn stakeholder confidence and trust.
-
Understand the due diligence process in searching for a nonprofit board seat or enhancing your knowledge about the nonprofit you currently serve.
-
Elevate your impact in the nonprofit sector through enhanced governance knowledge and practices.
NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE
REVIEW
Elevate your organization's governance standards with our tailored Governance Review service, designed to benchmark your board's oversight against industry-leading practices.
Our comprehensive process includes:
-
Pre-project consultation with the CEO/ED and Board Chair to align objectives.
-
A thorough examination of existing governance documents.
-
A detailed report of findings accompanied by strategic recommendations.
-
Debriefing call to summarize the nonprofit governance review and discuss the report.
-
Presentation to the board or governance/nominating committee for collaborative insights.
-
Follow-up touchpoint six months post-project to assess the successful implementation of recommendations.
Key Takeaways:
-
This is an in-depth analysis of your current governance documents, policies, and procedures, with highlighted areas for optimization based on leading practices.
-
Assess the current board matrix, identifying directors' core competencies and skill sets to align with the organization's strategic mission.
-
Empower your organization with insights and recommendations that enhance board performance, ensure alignment with industry best practices, and foster effective governance.
ABOUT US
PATRICIA Q. CONNOLLY
CO-FOUNDER
Patricia Q. Connolly, (CGC) is a leading figure in leadership development and organizational governance. As the Principal of PQC LLC, she specializes in governance advisory services for corporate and nonprofit boards. As a certified governance consultant, Patricia's expertise includes board education, governance audits, and assessments. Formerly the Executive Director of Drexel University's Gupta Governance Institute, she played a pivotal role in establishing flagship programs on corporate governance. Patricia's early career at PNC Financial Corp and executive roles in the nonprofit sector, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, shaped her dynamic approach to leadership. Recognized as an influential thought leader, Patricia guides organizations through pivotal decisions with energy and transparency, reflecting a successful journey in leadership and governance. Patricia is a member of the International Coaching Federation Professional Coaches (ICF)
MELISSA LUDWIG
CO-FOUNDER
A former senior operating executive of a Fortune 500 company with direct P&L responsibility up to $600 million and leading multidisciplinary organizations ranging in size to 3,000. Melissa is an experienced public company Board Director with expertise in retail and consumer products. Melissa brings deep expertise in resolving complex corporate initiatives, forward thinking, smooth M&A integration, efficiency in supply chain and risk management. She is a leader in diversity and advancing of talent and has a record of building new capabilities, positioning businesses for responsible growth, and achieving sustained success while delivering the optimal customer experience.
With the successful sale of a Public Company Board, currently the Board Chair of Philadelphia NACD (National Organization Corporate Directors) and functioning as the CEO of the 1000 board member organization. She is also deep rooted in non-profit boards and is an active Board Member and Chair Nominating and Governance Girard College, Drexel’s Raj & Kamla Gupta Governance Institute Advisory Board, a Villanova Business Adjunct Professor, Pathway to the Boardroom speaker, devotes time advancing women’s careers, and is a trusted C-Suite career coach.
Melissa served as the youngest, first female Vice President in over 100 years to lead the iconic Herald Square 34th Street location in NYC where she steered a remarkable turnaround, brand refresh, generating greater than $600M in sales. Throughout her career, Melissa’s leadership accountability spanned the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets with direct VP-level executive teams and organizations across Operations, Merchandising, Planning, Visual, Human Resources and Asset Protection. She served as the chief market expert. Having led the business in major metropolitan markets, including the restoration and market launch of Center City location in Philadelphia. She has also cultivated a strong c-suite professional network, with longstanding relationships among the business, civic and cultural communities through her external-facing.
PREVIOUS CLIENTS
CONTACT
