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Private Directors Association®

Private Directors Association®

Executive Offices

Chicago, Illinois 13,329 followers

About us

Good Governance Begins With a Solid Foundation Who We Are: Our sole focus is on the unique governance needs of private companies throughout the lifecycle of their businesses. Good governance drives private company growth which in turn helps build strong communities and economies. The Private Directors Association, established in 2014, is an independent 501(c)(6) organization based in Chicago. It stands as the sole national association devoted to enhancing the growth and sustainability of private companies through effective board governance. PDA's mission is to drive private company success through the creation and optimization of governance boards, comprised of qualified and diverse members. Our vision is for the Private Directors Association to become the leading professional association for private company directors, advocating and championing board excellence. With a membership exceeding 3,400+, the association represents a diverse and highly skilled community of executive leaders, encompassing current and prospective board members, private company owners, C-level executives of family-owned businesses, ESOPs, private equity-backed companies, and early-stage ventures. Our members engage across our 20 Chapters nationwide (and growing) to promote the mission of enhancing corporate value through high-performing boards. Our value lies in our exclusive focus on addressing the distinctive governance requirements of private companies throughout their business lifecycle. We recognize that strong governance drives private company growth, thereby contributing to the development of robust communities and economies. For more information, visit privatedirectors.org or call 847.986.9350.

Website
http://privatedirectors.org
Industry
Executive Offices
Company size
11-50 employees
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Type
Nonprofit
Founded
2014
Specialties
Privately held companies, Corporate Boards, Corporate Governance, Business Owners, ESOPs, Family owned Businesses, Partnerships, Private Equity Portfolio Companies, Start-ups, Venture Capital Financed, Advisory Boards, Board of Directors, CEOs, Middle Market Companies, Director Education, Networking, Family Offices, and Governance

Locations

  • Primary

    200 E Randolph St

    Suite 5100

    Chicago, Illinois 60601, US

    Get directions

Employees at Private Directors Association®

Updates

  • Excited to see our Chicago Chapter bringing together such a strong panel to explore the people side of M&A. From succession planning to cultural alignment, these conversations matter at every stage of growth. If you’re navigating transactions now or preparing for one in the future, this is a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced leaders. We're grateful to Pearl Meyer and this accomplished panel for leading the discussion. 

    The Private Directors Association® - Chicago Chapter is delighted to offer this insightful, virtual opportunity to join us and Pearl Meyer for an interactive panel discussion designed to equip you with actionable strategies for any stage of the M&A process. Our expert panel features Kelly Cornelis, Dan Wetzel, Mitchell Sabshon, Lisa Shall, and moderator Monal Patel ⭕ Human capital due diligence ⭕ CEO and C-suite succession planning ⭕ Organizational readiness ⭕ Cultural alignment ⭕ Design executive compensation programs that support both short- and long-term business goals Brought to you virtually and free of charge for all PDA Members (Non-members are also welcome!). Register now at the link below! Special thanks to our event sponsor Pearl Meyer. https://lnkd.in/gmmKwW9p

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  • The deadline to submit a presentation proposal for PRISM 2026 is approaching. Proposals are due Wednesday, March 4, by 7:00 PM CT. PRISM brings together board directors, executives, owners, and governance professionals to examine the real-world issues shaping private company governance. Presenting at PRISM offers an opportunity to share practical insight, contribute to peer learning, and support stronger board leadership across privately held companies. PDA welcomes proposals that deliver clear, actionable value in areas such as leadership development, regulatory change, industry trends, and technical advancements affecting boards and businesses. Review submission guidelines and submit your proposal here: https://lnkd.in/eS26hnwS #PRISM2026 #PrivateCompanyGovernance #BoardDirectors #CorporateGovernance #BoardLeadership

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  • If you currently serve on an advisory or fiduciary Board of a privately held company, there is still time to contribute to ongoing research focused on private company governance. The Private Directors Association, in partnership with the New Governance Lab at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, is gathering insights from directors to better understand how private Boards guide strategy, manage risk, and navigate change across diverse ownership structures. Input from practicing directors helps strengthen the collective understanding of what effective governance looks like in privately held companies. The confidential survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and will close on March 4. Study findings will be shared with the PDA community during a Series of Distinction program in June, 2026. If you serve on a private company Board, your perspective is an important part of this research. Participate here: https://lnkd.in/ewmbgezV #PrivateCompanyGovernance #BoardService #CorporateGovernance

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  • Private companies across the country use the Private Directors Association® (PDA) to connect with experienced, board-ready leaders when they need to add directors or advisors. Through PDA, companies can post board openings at no cost and reach a national network of 3,400+ executives, directors, and private company owners who understand private company governance. It’s a straightforward way to share your opportunity with qualified candidates who are actively exploring board service. Learn how it works: https://lnkd.in/gMzg3Y_H #Leadership #BoardOpportunities #AdvisoryBoard

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  • We’re excited to share that Kristen Simmons, a member of the Private Directors Association®-Southern California Chapter, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Council on Aging – Southern California! Kristen brings expertise in strategy, leadership, and marketing, and is committed to advancing the organization’s mission of promoting independence and dignity for older adults. She discovered this opportunity through networking with PDA members. Congratulations, Kristen! We look forward to seing the impact of your leadership 👏 #BoardLeadership #AgingWell #PrivateDirectorsAssociation

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  • When a cyber incident reaches the board level, decisions often need to be made before all the facts are known. For many directors, the challenge is not understanding cyber risk, but knowing how to respond in real time. PDA’s upcoming Cybersecurity Incident Response Virtual Workshop addresses this challenge through a live, board-focused simulation. Led by former U.S. Cyber Czar Richard Clarke and Good Harbor Security Risk Management, the session is designed to mirror the pressure, uncertainty, and tradeoffs boards face during an incident. The workshop is part of PDA’s Series of Distinction and is designed for directors and governance leaders involved in risk oversight. 📅 March 5, 2026 | 5:00 -7:00 PM ET 💻Virtual 🔗 Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/eWNTQvnq #BoardGovernance #Cybersecurity #RiskOversight #PrivateCompanyBoards #Directors

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  • If you serve on an advisory or fiduciary Board of a privately held company, there is still time to contribute to ongoing research on private company governance. The Private Directors Association, in partnership with the New Governance Lab at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, is continuing a study first launched in 2025 to better understand how private company Boards operate in practice. The brief, confidential survey gathers real-world perspectives that help strengthen the evidence base for governance learning across the private company board community. The survey closes March 4, 2026. If you currently serve on a private company Board, your experience is an important part of this research. Participate here: https://lnkd.in/ewmbgezV #PrivateCompanyGovernance #BoardService #CorporateGovernance

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  • The submission deadline for PRISM 2026 presentation proposals has been extended to Wednesday, March 4, by 7:00 PM CT. PRISM is the premier national conference bringing the private company governance community together to explore the real-world challenges shaping board leadership, oversight, and decision-making. Presenting at PRISM offers an opportunity to share practical expertise, contribute meaningful insight, and help advance governance across privately held companies. PDA welcomes engaging, actionable proposals across key areas such as leadership development, regulatory change, industry trends, and technical advancements affecting boards and businesses. Review the submission guidelines and submit a proposal here: https://lnkd.in/eS26hnwS #PRISM2026 #PrivateCompanyGovernance #BoardDirectors #CorporateGovernance #GovernanceProfessionals

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  • If you serve on an advisory or fiduciary Board of a privately held company, there is still time to contribute to ongoing research on private company governance. The Private Directors Association, in partnership with the New Governance Lab at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, is continuing a study first launched in 2025 to better understand how private company Boards operate in practice. The brief, confidential survey gathers real-world perspectives that help strengthen the evidence base for governance learning across the private company board community. The survey closes February 18. If you currently serve on a private company Board, your experience is an important part of this research. 👉Participate here: https://lnkd.in/ewmbgezV #PrivateCompanyGovernance #BoardService #CorporateGovernance

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  • Do you have experience navigating private company governance challenges? PRISM 2026 offers a platform to share your expertise and influence how board directors think about leadership and oversight. The Call for Proposals for PRISM 2026 is underway. PDA invites governance experts, board directors, executives, and advisors to share practical insights and perspectives that advance conversations within the private company governance community. PRISM 2026 will take place October 5–7 in Atlanta, GA at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. The program will feature keynotes, panels, and interactive workshops focused on timely governance topics, including the board journey, AI, leadership and succession, and navigating complex governance challenges. Presentation Proposals are due by Feb. 18 at 7:00 PM CT. Submission guidelines and the proposal form are available here: https://lnkd.in/eS26hnwS #PRISM2026 #PrivateCompanyGovernance #BoardLeadership #BoardDirectors #CorporateGovernance

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