Members Listening to Members: The Member Experience Committee

At the heart of the Private Directors Association is its members—and ensuring they have meaningful, engaging experience is the focus of the Member Experience Committee (MXC). Chaired by Diane Gardner, the committee is dedicated to understanding what members value most and using those insights to strengthen engagement across the organization.

“I see the committee’s mission as working to provide a value-add experience for all of our members,” Gardner said. “Having engaged members who are evangelists of PDA’s many benefits and offerings helps attract and retain members and ultimately strengthens private company governance overall.”

Over the past year, the committee’s work centered on listening. In November 2025,  the MXC launched a comprehensive member survey, which received responses from more than 11 percent of the membership—a strong result for a survey of this scale. In 2026, the committee is focused on turning that feedback into action.

“Our priority now is using that data to validate membership personas, understand what each group is looking to achieve through PDA, and identify opportunities to improve engagement,” Gardner explained. “That work will happen in close collaboration with other committees so we can deliver meaningful results.”

 

One opportunity the committee is actively exploring is consistency in the member experience. With members engaging through local Chapters, national programming, or as at-large members, the committee sees value in ensuring that the national experience feels connected and cohesive for everyone. “The nature of the Member Experience Committee means our work intersects with many others,” Gardner said. “Alignment across committees, Chapters, and member needs is both our challenge and our opportunity.” This work directly supports PDA’s mission to drive private company success through strong governance. By connecting members with education, a high-quality professional network, and opportunities to share experiences, the committee helps members grow as board leaders.

Looking ahead, Gardner hopes members will feel more connected and see more opportunities to learn and participate. “The magic of the PDA experience is learning from each other,” she said.

Members can support the committee’s efforts by participating in future surveys and continuing to share feedback. “We read every comment,” Gardner noted. “Your input truly shapes the work we do.”