Email: pqcllc@outlook.com
Phone: 610-331-3410
CONNOLLY & LUDWIG
Strengthening Boards
at Moments That Matter Most
ANNOUNCEMENT
Next Pathway To The Boardroom
March 10, 2026
Connolly & Ludwig is a governance advisory firm that works with boards at pivotal moments. While our deepest experience is with nonprofit boards, our approach to governance, structure, and strategic oversight applies across sectors
Who We Work With
Boards and board leaders navigating transition, growth, and complexity. With deep experience advising nonprofit boards and relevance across private and public organizations.
Individuals
Prepare with Purpose.
Lead with Impact.
Accelerate your board journey with expert coaching, practical tools, and a proven roadmap. Build the confidence, skills, and strategic insight to serve—and lead—effectively in the boardroom.
Corporations
Develop Purpose-Driven Leaders Through Board Service
Empower your employees to grow as strategic leaders by serving on nonprofit boards. Strengthen your company’s commitment to community impact, leadership development, and values-driven engagement.
Nonprofits
Strengthen Your Board.
Advance Your Mission.
Elevate your board’s effectiveness with expert guidance, practical tools, and customized governance training. Partner with seasoned professionals committed to helping nonprofits lead with purpose and oversight.
We Are Often Engaged When…
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Navigating executive leadership or founder transitions
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Experiencing rapid growth or organizational change
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Seeking stronger strategic oversight and accountability
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Addressing governance challenges or role confusion
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Preparing for increased external scrutiny or stakeholder expectations
(For Individuals)
We also offer Pathway to the Boardroom, a program for experienced leaders preparing for nonprofit, private, or corporate board service.
We work with boards to assess governance effectiveness, clarify roles, and identify opportunities to strengthen strategic oversight and accountability.
Our Board and Executive Education offerings are designed for companies that want to intententionally prepare high-potential leaders and senior executives to serve effectively on nonprofit boards--while simultaneously strenghtening governance accross the nonprofit sector
PATHWAY TO THE
BOARDROOM
Strategic Preparation for Board-Ready Leaders
Pathway to the Boardroom is a focused program for accomplished professionals who are ready to serve on nonprofit, private, or corporate boards.
What This Program Is — and Is Not
Pathway to the Boardroom does not teach board governance or board mechanics. The program is designed to help board-ready individuals understand today’s board landscape and think strategically about pursuing board opportunities aligned with their experience and goals.
Program Focus
The program focuses on:
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Understanding the current board landscape and expectations
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Clarifying what boards seek in individual directors
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Identifying where a participant’s experience creates board-level value
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Evaluating board opportunities thoughtfully
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Developing a disciplined approach to pursuing board roles
What Participants Walk Away With
Participants walk away with:
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A clearer understanding of the board environment
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A defined board value proposition
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A framework for evaluating board opportunities
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Greater confidence in positioning themselves for board service
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A strategic approach to the next step (2 – coaching session to develop individual value proposition and plan)
Program Structure
Pathway to the Boardroom is delivered as a cohort-based experience with structured sessions, peer discussion, and practical tools. Optional one-on-one coaching is available for participants seeking individualized guidance after the program.
BOARD & EXECUTIVE EDUCATION FOR
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Nonprofit board service is one of the most effective—and underutilized—ways to develop strategic, enterprise-minded leaders.
Our Board & Executive Education offerings help companies intentionally prepare high-potential leaders and senior executives to serve effectively on nonprofit boards—building governance capability, strategic thinking, and board-level perspective that strengthens both the leader and the organization.
We partner with CHROs and leadership teams to ensure employees add value from day one, not just join a board.
Why Companies Invest
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Develop future-ready leaders through real-world governance experience
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Strengthen board-level strategic thinking beyond operational roles
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Equip employees to represent the company effectively in the boardroom
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Align nonprofit board service with leadership development 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
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Stronger strategic oversight and enterprise thinking
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Confidence and influence in the boardroom
Result: leaders better prepared for senior leadership and future board service.
Who This Is For
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Companies with employees serving on nonprofit boards
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Organizations encouraging high-potential leaders to pursue board service
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CHROs and talent leaders seeking innovative leadership development
Programs are delivered as standalone education, integrated into leadership development initiatives, or paired with coaching.
BOARD ASSESSMENTS & GOVERNANCE REVIEWS
Insight-Driven Governance Support for Boards
Our board assessments and governance reviews help nonprofit boards understand how effectively they are fulfilling their oversight role and where governance practices need to be strengthened to support mission and strategy.
When This Work Is Most Useful
Boards often engage us when they are:
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Preparing for or navigating an executive leadership transition.
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Experiencing growth, complexity, or organizational change
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Facing disengagement or unclear board roles
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Responding to funder, regulatory, or reputational pressures
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Seeking greater strategic focus and alignment
What Boards Walk Away With
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 for improvement
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A stronger foundation for strategic engagement
How the Work Is Structured
Engagements are tailored to each organization and typically include confidential input, facilitated discussion, and practical recommendations designed to support meaningful improvement.
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
Patricia Q. Connolly is a governance advisor, board strategist, and leadership educator who works with nonprofit boards and executives to strengthen governance, improve board effectiveness, and position organizations for long-term success.
Patricia advises nonprofit organizations on board education, governance leading practices, board assessments, strategic planning, and leadership transitions—helping boards align structure with strategy and move from well-intentioned to highly effective.
Previously, she served as Executive Director of Drexel University’s Raj & Kamla Gupta Governance Institute, where she built nationally recognized governance programs and advised directors across sectors. Her earlier leadership roles at PNC Financial Corp and the Academy of Natural Sciences give her a rare ability to bridge business discipline with mission-driven leadership.
Patricia is a BoardSource Certified Governance Consultant (CGC) and has served extensively on nonprofit and advisory boards, including as Chair of Nominating & Governance for a major health system. She is known for her practical, candid, and strategic approach to helping boards navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.
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
