Three Board Governance Leaders to Be Honored with Inaugural Outstanding Volunteer Service Award

Three distinguished leaders in private company governance will be honored with the inaugural Outstanding Volunteer Service Award from the Private Directors Association (PDA), recognizing their exceptional dedication to advancing the mission of private company governance.

Dennis Kessler, Inge Plautz, and Cindy Burrell will receive the awards at PRISM 2025 in October, honoring their commitment to volunteerism that exemplifies the values of integrity, collaboration and excellence. PRISM is the National Conference & Exhibition conducted annually by the Private Directors Association.

The first-ever Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards, for which nominations were received earlier this year, recognizes exceptional individuals whose leadership and passion have strengthened PDA's place in the community through connection and education—and most of all, volunteer service.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our PDA volunteers for their generosity, passion, and hard work," said Silvia Prickel, PDA Board Chair. "Whether it's showing up with a smile, lending their time, sharing their talents, or going the extra mile when no one is watching, each of our volunteers make made a lasting difference. We simply couldn't do what we do without our dedicated members.”

Burrell, among PDA's 14 founding members in 2014, has exemplified advocacy and outreach by pioneering the organization's sponsorship programs. She served on the PDA National Board for a decade, initially building sponsorship for the Chicago Chapter before expanding efforts nationally in 2018.

"I am truly grateful to be recognized by my peers with an Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, especially when I know that hundreds of outstanding and energetic leaders played a role in PDA's incredible growth and success," Burrell said. "Over the years, I have had the joy of welcoming and building relationships with hundreds of members in our PDA learning community, where members 'learn, build relationships, and lift' one another."

Kessler, also a founding PDA member, is Past Chair of the Certificate in Private Company Governance Task Force and previously served on the PDA National Board. His contributions have been instrumental in developing educational programs and providing mentorship to emerging leaders in private company governance.

"I'm honored to be recognized by the Private Directors Association as one of this year's Outstanding Volunteer Service Award recipients," Kessler said. "PDA's work elevating governance, educating directors, and supporting board effectiveness resonates deeply with me. Volunteering has allowed me to collaborate with incredible senior executives, sharing ideas, strengthening board value, and helping companies build more impactful leadership structures."

Plautz currently serves as president of PDA's Wisconsin Chapter, where she has demonstrated exceptional committee leadership in expanding membership and enhancing educational programming for private company directors.

"In a world where legacy often begins with vision, true impact is measured by service," she said. "Volunteering is not just giving time—it's about investing heart, intention, and integrity into the future of private enterprise and the enduring strength of governance."

Each will be honored Oct. 7-9, during PRISM 2025 at the Disneyland® Resort Hotel & Conference Center.

“On behalf of the PDA Board, I'd like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to three exceptional volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their service to PDA,” Prickel added. “Their remarkable dedication has not only made a lasting impact but has also earned them the admiration of their peers and a unanimous vote of recognition from our Board."