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Discover how a Certified Chair™ credential can help you establish and facilitate advisory boards and open new doors for you in the advisory sector.

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Access trusted advice and guidance to help your organisation maximise your advisory board.

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We support the development, testing, validation and monitoring of best practice for Advisory Boards and advisor engagement.

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Certified Chair™ Executive Program

Discover how a Certified Chair™ credential can help you establish and facilitate advisory boards and open new doors for you in the advisory sector.

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  • Certified Chair™ Executive Program in Austin

The Global Standard in Advisory Board Excellence

The Certified Chair™ Executive Program is essential professional development for senior executives, directors and professional services providers seeking to master the world-class standard for advisory board best practice.

Facilitated by seasoned advisory professionals and recognised leaders in the field, the program is designed to prepare participants to navigate complex challenges and opportunities in a global environment. It is the only executive education program developed specifically for the advisory sector.

Throughout the program, you will build on your existing skills and knowledge to deliver greater value across your advisory portfolio, whether chairing advisory boards, executive committees, councils or board-level meetings.

Learn how to leverage your wisdom and experience, and deliver your value in an entirely new way.

 

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Certified Chair™ Executive Program

 

What will I learn?

Equip yourself with the resources and methodologies to create greater value in your engagements. The two-day program is evidence-backed, research-based and practical, covering:

  • Introduction to Advisory Boards & Committees
  • Establishing Effective Advisory Boards
  • Executing Advisory Boards with Impact
  • Market Profiling & Personal Brand

Explore the program curriculum

 

 

Is the Certified Chair Executive Program right for you?

Applicants for the Certified Chair™ Executive Program are selected on a range of criteria:

  • They have significant experience in the most senior of business roles
  • They thrive on sharing their knowledge
  • They value their personal positioning and the calibre of their professional network
  • They are seeking structured frameworks and professional tools to use when chairing advisory boards
  • They are open to new thought approaches
  • They welcome opportunities to collaborate with peers regionally and internationally
  • They have a stable source of income and are looking for ways to future-proof their careers

North American professionals have joined us from

Program Modules

Module 1

Advisory Boards and Committees

  • Introduction to the ABF101: Advisory Board Best Practice Framework™
  • Understand drivers and motivations of organizations using advisory boards today
  • Insight into the relationship of advisory boards with governance boards and executive teams
  • Explore how an advisory board strategy operates within a broader governance system
  • Understand the types and models of advisory boards
  • Explore the ethical boundaries between consultancy, advisory and directorship
Module 2

Establishing Advisory Boards

  • Explore best practice methodologies to establish an advisory board
  • Introduction to tools and resources to establish and manage an advisory board
  • Learn techniques in building trust through conversation techniques
  • Understand how to build priorities for the advisory board charter
  • Learn techniques to identify measurements of success and measurement of impact
  • Navigate self assessment tools and practical approaches in understanding organizational needs
  • Gain insight into techniques for advisory board member selection and refreshing advisory boards
Module 3

Execute Advisory Boards with Impact

  • Insight into clarity of advisory board purpose
  • Explore techniques to manage advisory board protocols within a governance system
  • Understanding roles and responsibilities and managing internal stakeholders
  • Insight into managing the risk profile of advisory boards
  • Understand how to link purpose to structure selection, process development and impact measurement
  • Insight into best practice techniques in managing the charter, orientation, reports and agenda building
  • Introduction to managing conversation types at the advisory board table
  • Explore situational ethics and the Advisory Board Professional Code of Ethics
Module 4

Market Profiling and Personal Brand

  • Explore techniques to build your profile and positioning in the market as an advisory board professional
  • Explore techniques in building a portfolio and maximising your personal impact
  • Insight into building trust and creating a business case for organizations implementing advisory boards
  • Understand methods to building a pipeline of advisory board opportunities
  • Explore the global network of advisory board professionals and how they work together
  • Navigate considerations in personal and professional planning
  • Preparation for your personalized mentoring meetings
  • Planning your personal transition

Designed by experts for experts

DURATION

2 full days (in-person)

location

  • Austin, Texas

investment

  • Total investment includes: Certified Chair™ Executive Program + 12 month professional development and board community membership
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Enrol in the Program

Currency:
USD ^
Certified Chair Executive Program - Austin
18-19 Nov 2026
9:00am - 5:00pm

I highly recommend the Program if you’re looking to begin your Advisory journey. You connect immediately with a cohort and the data-informed program balances time for discussion, exercises and practical application

Traci Hughes

Certified Chair™ | Education, Legal and Workforce Technology

The Certified Chair Executive Program has significantly strengthened my capability to lead advisory boards with greater structure, discipline, and strategic clarity. It delivers a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum, equipping participants with practical tools, best-practice frameworks, and insights that exceeded my expectations.

Karen Coyne

Certified Chair™ | President, Women Execs on Boards

The Certified Chair Executive Program was a highly enriching experience that broadened my perspective on advisory excellence and governance. It opened new horizons and, most importantly, connected me to a strong global network of like-minded professionals. A truly valuable program for anyone looking to elevate their strategic impact.

Maroun Najjar

Certified Chair™ | Executive

Enrol in the Program

Currency:
USD ^
Certified Chair Executive Program - Austin
18-19 Nov 2026
9:00am - 5:00pm

Why the Advisory Board Centre?

Why learn with us?
  • Research-backed and evidence-based content, resources and methodologies with practical application across your entire portfolio.
  • Only executive education program globally developed specifically for the advisory sector allowing you to obtain Certified Chair™ recognition.
  • Innovative and engaging learning that helps you immediately improve in current and future roles.
  • Quality investment in professional development that helps you leverage your skills and experience to build a value-driven portfolio career.
  • The Certified Chair™ Executive Program is accredited with the CPD Certification Service as recognized learning for the Continuing Professional Development obligations and policies of professional bodies and academic institutes.
Program Investment

This includes:

  • Certified Chair™ Executive Program (2-days or 4 half days)
  • 12-Month Professional Development & Board Community Membership
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL MODULE: CERTIFIED CHAIR™ EXECUTIVE PROGRAM FOR THE AGED CARE SECTOR
What happens after the program?

After completing the Certified Chair™ learning-intensive, you will continue to be supported within your annual professional development membership with:

  • A personalized portfolio review session to help you craft your unique value proposition, supported by a board CV that demonstrates your impact
  • An active global network of highly curated peers who are deeply engaged and committed to the advancement and adoption of advisory boards
  • Access to exclusive, cutting-edge market intelligence through the Advisory Board Centre Global Research Council
  • Engage in leading professional development including opportunities for peer mentoring and learning
  • Exclusive invitations to global Advisory Board Centre social media groups and online forum discussions
  • Exclusive access to offers and opportunities before the wider market
Are corporate programs available?

Yes, we offer this program to organizations looking to invest in learning and development for their board members or senior leadership. It can either be delivered in-person or virtually, anywhere in the world.

If you are exploring options for multiple program registrations or internal professional development, contact our Advisory+ team for tailored program support.

How is the program different to other governance and director courses?

The Certified Chair™ Executive Program is a unique qualification designed to support the evaluation, implementation and chairing of advisory boards, executive committees, councils, panels or board-level meetings.  As advisory boards are distinct in their purpose and operation from statutory or fiduciary governance boards, engaging in dedicated professional development is crucial for effective chairing and membership.

It is the only credential globally based on the ABF101 Advisory Board Best Practice Framework™ which supports the best practice implementation and operation of advisory boards within governance systems.

The Certified Chair™ Executive Program is accredited with the CPD Certification Service as recognized learning for the Continuing Professional Development obligations and policies of professional bodies and academic institutes.

Do I need to be in a particular location/country?

No, you can access the Certified Chair™ Executive Program from anywhere in the world with our fully facilitated virtual program. The certification is globally recognized and the course material is relevant to senior leaders across the world. Our community currently spans over 20 different countries.

Does this program count for CPD credits?

The Certified Chair™ Executive Program is accredited with the CPD Certification Service as recognized learning for the Continuing Professional Development obligations and policies of professional bodies and academic institutes.

This program may count towards Continuing Professional Development or Education (CPD/CPE) requirements for members of professional associations. Please please check with your professional body for the allocation of CPD for this program, and note that the recording of CPD is at your own discretion.

Please Note: Should you wish to claim CPD activity, you must submit your claims directly to your professional body.