If I were to write and star in the miniseries, “My Life in Networking,” I could devote an entire plot arc to the Private Directors Association. Soon after attending my first PDA event in 2017 at the suggestion of a close colleague, I became a member. I spent the next few years attending events at some of Chicago’s most elegant venues, learning about best practices in corporate governance, and meeting some of the city’s most interesting executives. Through these exchanges, I came to appreciate the diversity of expertise in the room and the networking dynamics around the compensatory board search.  

Although I let my membership lapse, I kept the PDA on my radar. I attended their webinars during the pandemic, which provided fresh impetus to my study of governance and rekindled my interest in the organization. At that time, I was working with many senior executives—some seated, some transitioning, a few retired—who had board aspirations but felt frustrated in their use of LinkedIn to advance their search. In October 2022, I received an opportunity to present virtually to PDA National on LinkedIn branding and social networking strategies for board candidates.  

Navigating the Rejoin Process: Hitting the Ground Running 

In spring 2025, I re-engaged with the PDA with the goal of contributing educational value and promoting the organization’s mission. While I am not actively seeking a paid board role with a private company, I view the endeavor as a highly specialized exercise in social engagement. Back in the fold, I prioritize PDA events and understand the aims of those who attend them, as well as the delicate nature of their interactions. Successful networking in this arena requires a balanced and authentic approach, one that reflects a genuine interest in people and building mutually beneficial relationships.    

From my candidate-adjacent perspective, I admire how PDA leadership advocates for its members, supporting their growth and development by certifying and educating them through relevant content, and keeping them positive, inspired, and outcome-focused. The programming is high quality, delivered by top-notch speakers and panelists, many of whom have walked in the candidate’s shoes and understand the screening process. PDA events bring together parties at both ends of the table, creating an environment that is conducive to learning, fosters camaraderie, and creates a sense of community. 

New People, New Value: How PDA Has Evolved 

I have met some fascinating and brilliant leaders and listened to their incredible stories. Some have built companies from the ground up, grown them, and scaled them into powerhouses. Others have assembled impressive portfolio careers in leadership and wish to leverage their expertise and experience into board service. Others have retired from the daily rigors of the C-suite but have their sights set on landing a paid board role. From them, I have gleaned revelatory insights about the governance marketplace and how board candidates position themselves to meet the unique challenges of the search.  

At its core, PDA provides the building blocks for a career in governance, a nurturing influence for first-time and long-time board aspirants, and a touchstone for substantive discourse. With deeper involvement (e.g., participation on internal committees) comes the intangible benefit of friendships, introductions, new growth opportunities, and a feeling of belonging in a mission-driven organization. The attainment of success in board service is a powerful motivator for mentoring, giving back to the community, and paying it forward. And, of course, as with any membership networking organization—or anything in life, for that matter—you get out of it what you put into it.  

At the time of this writing, I am now three months into my renewed PDA membership. As I seek to deepen my involvement, I have initiated conversations with several chapter presidents and executive committees, all of whom embrace a commitment to excellence in governance that I have observed since my first PDA event. In October 2025, I attended my first PRISM Conference in Anaheim as a speaker. I approached this opportunity with a keen awareness of the high stakes involved in securing a corporate board seat and how the PDA is evolving to meet the growing interest in the pursuit.    

I’ll keep you posted. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

JD Gershbein is known as The LinkedIn Style Guide.  JD has drawn upon his diverse academic background—a fusion of psychology, neuroscience, and the humanities—and is widely regarded as a leader in executive branding, social networking, and social entrepreneurship.  Through his work JD is blazing a trail as one of the most original personalities in the leadership development arena.