Email: pqcllc@outlook.com
Phone: 610-331-3410
CONNOLLY & LUDWIG
Governance Architecture for Boards That Lead
ANNOUNCEMENT
Next Pathway To The Boardroom
September 29, 2026
Connolly & Ludwig is a governance advisory firm that works with boards at pivotal moments. We bring strategic rigor, practical experience, and candid counsel to help nonprofit boards govern with clarity, accountability, and purpose
Who We Work With
Connolly & Ludwig works with three distinct audiences — each with a different need, a different entry point, and a different outcome.
Individuals
Prepare with Intention.
Lead with Impact.
You're board-ready. What Pathway to the Boardroom gives you is the strategic framework, personal roadmap, and peer community to pursue the right board role with confidence and clarity.
Corporations
Develop Leaders Through Board Service.
Nonprofit board service is one of the most effective — and most underutilized — leadership development tools available. We help companies prepare high-potential leaders to govern effectively, think strategically, and represent your organization with credibility in the boardroom.
Nonprofits
Strengthen Your Board.
Advance Your Mission.
Your board is made up of committed, accomplished people. But commitment alone doesn't produce effective governance. We work with nonprofit boards to build the governance architecture — the structures, clarity, and oversight disciplines — that allow your organization to lead with purpose and sustainability.
Our Mission
Connolly & Ludwig exists to strengthen boards at the moments that matter most.
We believe governance is not administrative work — it is leadership work. Strong boards don't happen by accident. They are intentionally designed, continuously developed, and held accountable to the organizations and communities they serve.
Our mission is to bring governance architecture, strategic clarity, and practical expertise to nonprofit boards and their leaders — helping organizations move from well-intentioned to highly effective.
(For Individuals)
A focused, full-day program for board-ready professionals — C-suite executives, senior leaders, and entrepreneurs — who are ready to pursue board service with strategy, clarity, and purpose.
Next cohort: September 29, 2026
We work with nonprofit boards to evaluate governance effectiveness, clarify roles, and strengthen oversight structures. Our approach is candid, practical, and tailored to your orgnaization-not a generic checklist.
We help corporations develop strategic, enterprise-minded leaders through nonprofit board service — building the governance literacy, boardroom confidence, and oversight discipline that accelerates leadership growth.
PATHWAY TO THE
BOARDROOM
Strategic Preparation for Board-Ready Leaders
You've built an impressive career. You have the experience, the expertise, and the instinct to contribute at the board level. What Pathway to the Boardroom gives you is the strategic clarity, practical framework, and personal roadmap to pursue board service with intention — and land the right role.
This is not a governance course. It is a focused, full-day program designed specifically for accomplished professionals who are ready to take the next step.
Who this program is for:
Pathway to the Boardroom is designed for C-suite executives, senior leaders, and entrepreneurs who are board-ready — professionals with the experience and credibility to serve effectively, who want a disciplined, strategic approach to pursuing the right board opportunity.
What the day looks like: The program is intentionally designed as a cohort experience — limited to ten to twelve participants to create the intimacy, candor, and peer dynamic of a boardroom itself. The day includes expert guest speakers, facilitated peer discussion, and practical tools you can apply immediately.
What you walk away with
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A clear understanding of today's board landscape and what boards are actually looking for
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A defined personal board value proposition — what you specifically bring to a boardroom
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A framework for evaluating board opportunities aligned with your experience and goals
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A strategic approach to pursuing board service with confidence and clarity
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A peer network of accomplished professionals on the same journey
One-on-one coaching: Included with the program is a one-on-one coaching session with Patricia Connolly or Melissa Ludwig — focused on developing your individual board value proposition and personal action plan. This is where the day's learning becomes your specific roadmap.
Program Details
Format: Full-day cohort experience Cohort size: Ten to twelve participants Next cohort: September 29, 2026 Location: Philadelphia area
To inquire about investment and registration, contact us directly at
BOARD & EXECUTIVE EDUCATION FOR
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Nonprofit board service is one of the most effective—and underutilized—leadership development tools available to corporations today.
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Senior executives who serve on nonprofit boards develop something that traditional leadership programs rarely deliver — the ability to think strategically, govern effectively, and exercise oversight without operational control. These are exactly the capabilities that distinguish good leaders from board-ready leaders.
We partner with CHROs and leadership development teams to ensure that when your employees step into a nonprofit boardroom, they add value from day one — not after a year of figuring it out.
Why Companies Invest
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Develop future-ready leaders through real-world governance experience
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Build board-level strategic thinking beyond operational roles
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Equip employees to represent your organization effectively in the boardroom
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Align nonprofit board service with leadership development and talent retention goals
What Participants Gain
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Clear understanding of board roles, responsibilities, and fiduciary duties
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Ability to distinguish governance from management--a critical leadership skill
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Stronger strategic oversight and enterprise thinking
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Confidence and credibility in the boardroom from day one.
Who This Is For
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Companies with high-potential leaders serving on nonprofit boards
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CHROs and talent leaders seeking differentiated leadership development
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Organizations that want board service to be intentional, not incidental
.Programs are tailored to your organization and can be delivered as standalone education, integrated into existing leadership development initiatives, or paired with one-on-one coaching.
BOARD ASSESSMENTS & GOVERNANCE REVIEWS
We work with nonprofit boards to evaluate governance effectiveness, clarify roles, and strengthen the oversight structures that support mission and long-term organizational success.
Most nonprofit boards are made up of accomplished, committed individuals. But good intentions and strong credentials don't automatically produce effective governance. Boards that govern well are intentionally designed — with clear roles, disciplined oversight practices, and a culture of strategic engagement.
Our board assessments and governance reviews help nonprofit organizations understand how effectively their board is fulfilling its oversight role and where governance practices need to be strengthened to support mission and strategy.
When boards engage us:
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Navigating an executive leadership or founder transition
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Experiencing growth, complexity, or organizational change
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Facing board disengagement or role confusion between board and staff
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Responding to funder, regulatory, or stakeholder pressure
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Ready to move from functional governance to strategic governance
What Boards Walk Away With
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A clear picture of governance strengths and gaps
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Shared understanding of board roles and responsibilities
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Insight into board dynamics and effectiveness
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Practical recommendations your board can act on immediately
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A stronger foundation for strategic engagement and mission advancement
How We Work
Every engagement is tailored to the organization. Our process typically includes confidential interviews with board members, review of governing documents and board materials, observation of board meetings where appropriate, and facilitated discussion with board leadership. Findings are delivered through a written report and facilitated session designed to build shared understanding and ommitment to action.
We don't deliver reports that sit on shelves. Our goal is to leave every board with greater clarity, stronger alignment, and a practical path forward.
TESTIMONIALS
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."
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."
ABOUT US
PATRICIA Q. CONNOLLY
Principal, PQC LLC | Co-Founder, Connolly & Ludwig BoardSource Certified Governance Consultant (CGC)
Patricia Q. Connolly is a governance advisor and board strategist who works with nonprofit boards and their leaders at the moments that matter most — leadership transitions, governance challenges, strategic inflection points, and organizational change.
As Co-Founder of Connolly & Ludwig, Patti brings a rare combination of corporate discipline, nonprofit fluency, and academic rigor to every engagement. She is known for her candid, practical approach — helping boards move beyond good intentions to the governance architecture that drives real organizational effectiveness.
She is a BoardSource Certified Governance Consultant (CGC), reflecting her deep commitment to governance leading practices and board effectiveness.
Previously, Patti served as Executive Director of Drexel University's Raj & Kamla Gupta Governance Institute, where she built nationally recognized governance programs, advised directors across sectors, and secured a $5 million naming endowment to ensure the Institute's long-term sustainability.
Earlier in her career, Patti held senior leadership roles at PNC Financial Corp as a Group Vice President in retail and private banking, and in the nonprofit sector including executive leadership at the Academy of Natural Sciences. These experiences give her a distinctive ability to bring business discipline to mission-driven organizations — and to speak credibly in both the boardroom and the C-suite.
She has served extensively on nonprofit and advisory boards, including as Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee for a complex health system with more than 1,500 employees and 370 physicians.
Patti holds an MA in History & History of Art from the University of Pennsylvania, a BA in History from Bryn Mawr College, and an ABA in Finance from The Wharton School.
MELISSA LUDWIG
Principal
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
LET'S CONNECT!
We welcome your inquiry via email, phone, or the contact form below. Our team looks forward to partnering with you to develop a tailored program that equips you with the skills, insight and confidence to excel in board leadership.
Email: pqcllc@outlook.com
Phone: 610-331-3410
