Inaugural NxGen COACH Network Governance Training Camp Concludes with Visit to New York Stock Exchange

The first cohort of the NxGen COACH Network Governance Training Camp wrapped up its year-long intensive training program on a high note—a visit to the New York Stock Exchange.

Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) strategically partnered with NxGen COACH Network to educate and empower business leaders from underrepresented groups to become impactful boardroom directors through the NxGen COACH Network Governance Training Camp program. This comprehensive leadership program, which began in November 2023, aims to increase the pipeline of uniquely qualified candidates for corporate boards and to assist the participant Fellows in the process from interview to acceptance of positions as directors with both public and private companies.

The visit to the New York Stock Exchange included a tour that delved into the history of the exchange and the city of New York itself. Participants witnessed the New York Giants ring the opening bell in celebration of 100 years as a football organization.

The final session of the 2023-24 program also included meetings at the New York offices of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP. This meeting brought together sitting directors to discuss their unique journeys on becoming corporate board directors with the Fellows. In addition, NxGen COACH Network Fellows presented their strategic plans to the cohort and discussed where they are on their journey to the boardroom. These roadmaps to board leadership are based on knowledge gained throughout the course of the year-long program.

NxGen COACH Network Fellow Alicia Wilson, Vice President/Chief Audit Officer at Southwire Company, said, “This program’s content was not only informative and inspiring, but also laid out the blueprint of serving on boards while gaining new connections and potential mentors in this arena. If you are thinking about joining a board governance program, don’t hesitate to check out the NxGen COACH Network™; you won’t be disappointed.”

“This is a top-notch program all around and I can't say enough great things about it,” said NxGen COACH Network Fellow and GrowthXel Founder Sam Divine.

The inception of the Governance Training Camp was inspired by discussions between NxGen COACH Network Founder Archie Jones and WBD Partner Jamie Connelly. They reflected on individuals they know who are more than qualified to serve on corporate boards but who may need a little coaching or strategic planning to help them land a board role.

Their collaboration, supported by Chris Gyves, Ted Claypoole, Jamie Francis, Daniella Landers, and Sid Shenoy, joins efforts to better position well-qualified but often overlooked candidates for board service. The Womble attorneys served as educational resources in their areas of practice that are directly applicable to the challenges faced by sitting directors.

The year-long program was conducted primarily in person at WBD’s Atlanta office, and the interaction among the Fellows was a vital aspect of the program.

“It was truly inspiring to recognize the hard work, dedication, and vulnerability these leaders showed in their pursuit of excellence,” Jones said. “I am confident that their ongoing efforts will enrich boardrooms by bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the table, ultimately driving better outcomes for organizations and stakeholders.”

Connelly said, “The NxGen COACH Network program is a top-notch leadership program, and the inaugural class is outstanding. Any organization or business would be fortunate to have one of these leaders serving on their board.”

Applications for the 2025 NxGen COACH Network Governance Training Camp will open January 15, 2025.

About NxGen COACH Network

NxGen COACH Network is a global leadership development firm dedicated to empowering and COACHing (Create Opportunity And Cultivate Humanity) the next generation of leaders. The firm fosters diverse representation in executive leadership and boardrooms, while also enabling both aspiring leaders and seasoned executives, wherever they are in their leadership journey, to elevate and achieve their goals. NxGen COACH Network has developed a framework around Leadership Capital and the 5Cs: Capability, Culture, Communication, Connection and Confidence, that focus on empowering leaders to drive value creation for organizations and society, regardless of role.

About Womble Bond Dickinson

Womble Bond Dickinson provides mission-critical legal services to companies who are leading the way in innovation.  With more than 1,000 lawyers in 32 locations throughout the UK and US, we offer practical solutions and new perspectives for global clients in multiple sectors such as technology, life sciences, energy, and advanced manufacturing – all designed to help get our clients where they need to be. WBD is a 2024 Mansfield Rule Certified Plus law firm for meeting objective hiring, leadership, and promotions targets relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.