Nonprofit Board Diversity

Nonprofit boards in the US are generally not diverse, and their membership does not represent the communities they serve. Join us for a conversation about nonprofit board diversity. What are the steps towards creating a diverse board. How can they create a pipeline of culturally, economically, and socially diverse individuals to step into nonprofit board leadership. How can they ensure that new, diverse members are welcomed? If you are a board candidate thinking of bringing your voice into a non-diverse space, how can you make sure they are ready to welcome you?

About Barbara Paxton
Barbara Paxton is the Director of BoardStrong, an organization that provides nonprofits access to diverse board candidates with a passion to serve, while helping boards make best use of the talent around the table and preparing new board members to serve as effectively as possible.  

Barbara is recognized as a pragmatic and creative nonprofit leader with experience in board leadership, board development and governance, fundraising and finance.  Her experience includes working with boards to revise their bylaws, create committee structures and onboarding processes, plan strategically and effectively manage change. From launching donor campaigns to helping organizations develop strategic governance plans, Barbara focuses on results and achieving excellence.

Barbara has also been the Chief Development Officer at The Child Center of NY, after having served as the Director of Development at Helene Fuld College of Nursing in Harlem and Executive Director of Children of Bellevue. She has served on the Boards of The Pearl Theatre Company and the New York Junior League, and currently serves as chair of the board of the Center for Comprehensive Health Practice and a member of the Community Advisory Committee of the Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital. 

Barbara earned a B.A. at Wellesley College and a Master of International Affairs at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.