Companies searching for candidates on BoardProspects value recommendations as a way to develop a more comprehensive picture about a candidate, as well as quickly establishing a candidate’s credibility alongside their professional experience.

Previously, theBoardlist team found that companies were more willing to consider candidates without previous board experience when they came recommended by an experienced director. Placing exceptional candidates without previous board experience is critical to breaking the cycle of underrepresentation.

BoardProspects adopted the recommendation requirement post-merger with theBoardlist. Upon expanding the BoardProspects membership model to be inclusive of candidates at all experience levels in December 2023, BoardProspects adopted theBoardlist's recommendation-based model.

Receiving recommendations from board directors and executives in your network will increase your chances of being matched to opportunities.

Recommendations will display on your profile and improve your appearance in search results. The more recommendations you receive from qualified senior leaders in your network, the higher your chances in being seen by companies searching for candidates.

If you have previous board experience at a publicly-traded company or at a private company at Series A or above, you are exempt from the recommendation requirement.

If you do not have previous for-profit board experience at a publicly-traded company or at a private company at Series A or above, you must receive a recommendation before your profile will be shown in search results. Upgrading to Premium and Premium Plus membership does NOT exempt Members from the recommendation requirement; while you can avail yourself of all other aspects of upgraded membership, your profile will be withheld from search results until you have received a recommendation.

Recommenders must have for-profit board experience at a publicly-traded company or at a private company at Series A or above.

We encourage you to request recommendations from trusted members of your professional network who can vouch for your accomplishments and capabilities.

If you receive a recommendation from an individual who doesn’t have the required level of experience, their recommendation will display in your profile, but will not impact your appearance in search results.

Non-profit board service does not meet the for-profit board experience requirement that exempts candidates from requiring a recommendation to be shown in search results.

Non-profit board members are welcome to provide recommendations; however, unless they have for-profit board experience, their recommendations will appear on the candidate's profile but will not qualify the candidate to appear in search results.

As Recommenders gain the board experience necessary to become qualified recommenders, candidates they have previously recommended will become visible in search results.

No – we welcome recommendations from existing members and from Recommenders who are new to BoardProspects.

A paid membership is not a requirement to become a Recommender.

To request a recommendation, simply ask your Recommender to fill out this quick form.

Developing relationships with connections in your network who can speak to your board readiness will happen naturally as you develop a strong networking habit, make your board aspirations clear to those in your existing professional network, and as you seek out opportunities to expand your governance exposure (ie. by presenting to the board in your operating role, joining non-profit and/or advisory boards, etc.)

You can leverage all resources and content associated with your Membership level until you are ready to request a recommendation.

Recommenders must fill out this form to recommend a candidate to BoardProspects.

Alternatively, if your Recommender provides the recommendation directly to you, please forward it via email to recommendations@boardprospects.com. We will also need your Recommender's LinkedIn URL.

Recommenders must fill out this form to recommend a candidate to BoardProspects.

Existing BoardProspects members who do not have previous board experience at a publicly-traded company or at a private company at Series A or above will have until July 1, 2024 to secure a recommendation.

After that time, your profile will be withheld from search results until you obtain a recommendation.

Any recommendations you have received as a theBoardlist candidate will be applied to your BoardProspects profile when your profile is migrated to the BoardProspects platform.

Please note: recommendation requirements at BoardProspects vary slightly from prior requirements at theBoardlist; based on your recommender's level of board experience, previous recommendations may not qualify your profile for search results.

As of December 2023, the migration process is ongoing. You will be notified via email when your free BoardProspects profile has been created.