Board Stewardship for Executive Women
Designed for accomplished women executives, this flagship executive education program prepares participants to step into board roles with greater influence and impact across corporate, public, family-owned, and nonprofit organizations.
Launching in Doha in October 2026, the inaugural cohort draws on Georgetown’s global expertise in governance, strategy, leadership, and board effectiveness. Through immersive boardroom simulations, real-world case discussions, and peer learning, participants will strengthen the skills, perspective, and presence needed to lead effectively in the boardroom.
Program objectives
- Develop the judgment and governance skills to influence strategic decisions.
- Lead with confidence, credibility, and influence.
- Make informed decisions across risk, ethics, and stakeholder priorities.
- Define your board strategy and leadership value.
Your learning journey
The program will be delivered over five executive education days, structured across two weeks to accommodate the schedules of senior leaders while allowing participants time to reflect on and apply their learning between modules.
Module 1:
Leading with Influence: Executive Presence and Board Impact
21-22 October, 2026
Build the executive presence, communication skills, and strategic thinking needed to contribute effectively in today’s boardroom.
Participants learn to navigate board dynamics, influence stakeholders, and communicate with confidence in high-stakes discussions.
Module 2:
Risk and Financial Stewardship
27-28 October, 2026
Explore the foundations of governance, including fiduciary responsibility, risk management, ethics, compliance, and financial oversight.
Participants gain practical frameworks to strengthen board performance and make sound governance decisions.
Module 3:
Board Leadership, Value and Career Strategy
28-29 October, 2026
Focus on creating impact as a board member while building a long-term board strategy.
Participants define their value proposition, strengthen their leadership portfolio, and develop a roadmap for securing and succeeding in board roles.
Cost: QAR 56,575 (USD 15,500)
What you will leave with
- Contribute with greater confidence and credibility in board level discussions.
- Exercise sound governance judgment and strategic oversight.
- Navigate complex board dynamics and stakeholder relationships.
- Strengthen executive presence and influence in high-stakes environments.
- Apply practical governance frameworks to real-world board challenges.
- Develop a clear personal board strategy and compelling value proposition for future board appointments.
Instructors
Brooks Holtom
Professor Holtom’s research focuses on how organizations acquire, develop and retain human and social capital. His work has appeared in the top journals in management (Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, International Journal of Human Resource Management and many others). In the 2007 AACSB Report on the Impact of Business School Research, his work was specifically cited as having made an important intellectual contribution to policy or practice (along with Michael Porter of Harvard, Peter Senge of MIT and Nobel Prize winner James March).
He was named the 2005 Ascendant Scholar of the Year for the Western Academy of Management and has twice received the Professor of the Year award for the Georgetown University Executive Masters of Leadership Program. He has performed research in or served as a consultant to many organizations including Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One, Citibank, International Monetary Fund, Northwestern Mutual, the Korean Ministry of Finance and Economy, Rolls Royce, POSCO, SK Group, United States Air Force, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the World Bank.
Emma Shaffu
Dr. Emma Shaffu is a communications and leadership specialist with more than a decade of experience in corporate communications and digital marketing. She is a public speaking and leadership trainer, helping executives and entrepreneurs communicate with confidence, build influence, and lead with impact.
Emma teaches executive education at Georgetown University and holds a PhD in Communication from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. She also holds a Level 3 certification in body language, bringing expertise in verbal and nonverbal communication to her work with senior leaders.
Mark Esposito
Dr. Mark Esposito is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and a public policy scholar and social scientist specializing in technology, strategy, innovation, and emerging economies. He holds academic affiliations with Harvard University, Northeastern University, and the University of Cambridge, and serves as Chief Economist at micro1, a Silicon Valley AI lab.
Mark advises governments and organizations across the GCC, Eurasia, and internationally, and is a global expert of the World Economic Forum. His work has included advising the United Nations, European Commission, European Parliament, Qatar Foundation, UAE Prime Minister’s Office, Oman’s Ministry of Planning, and leading global corporations across technology, finance, telecommunications, and consumer industries.
A recognized thought leader and frequent keynote speaker at platforms including TED and the World Economic Forum, Mark has trained, consulted, and advised hundreds of public and private sector organizations. He has authored or co-authored more than 150 publications and 14 books, including The Great Remobilization and The AI Republic. His work explores how technological and economic shifts are reshaping leadership, organizations, and the global business landscape.
Jack Dougherty
Jack Dougherty is a communications strategist, author, and university administrator who leads Strategic Communications at Georgetown University in Qatar. With 35 years of experience, he has advised leading organizations and C-suite executives across the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Jack began his career as a political speechwriter before serving as a senior executive and crisis communications lead at Fortune 500 companies including Anheuser-Busch InBev and GAP Inc. He later spent two decades advising senior leaders through his consulting firm, Dougherty Dialectic, designing and delivering executive training programs.
His expertise spans crisis and issues management, corporate reputation, stakeholder communications, and navigating complex business challenges. He has also taught at GE’s John F. Welch Leadership Development Center and the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.
This program is done in collaboration with the Qatari Businesswomen Association.
For any questions or more information, please reach out to epeq@georgetown.edu