News

In the current landscape of intense competition and complexity within the business realm, achieving success poses significant challenges.

As part of the research for my new book (The Artificially Intelligent Boardroom), I spent over a year talking with boards that are trying to use AI in their own work — not just for oversight.

Kimberly Lucas has taken over as President of the Colorado Chapter, succeeding founding President Cody Teets, who will continue serving the chapter as Immediate Past President. Corey Sisler has stepped into the Vice President role, completing the Chapter's transition to a three-deep leadership model.

President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to remove regulatory barriers preventing most 401(k) participants from investing in private equity and other alternative assets, backed by new White House research projecting significant economic benefits from the policy change.

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.

The purpose of the University & Family Business Centers (UFBC) Committee is to build institution-level relationships with University-Based Family and Private Business Centers, executive business administration and governance education programs, and associated academic accelerators, innovation centers, incubators involving governance programs throughout the U.S. (and internationally), to establish and leverage the PDA as a go to resource for private company success through effective governance.

The Professional Development Committee plays a key role in driving PDA’s mission by equipping members with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to grow as board leaders. From advancing educational offerings to refining PDA’s Body of Knowledge (BOK), the committee helps ensure the association remains a valuable source of learning and leadership development.

Kimberly Aldworth, PDA’s Director of Membership, joined the organization in 2021, bringing nearly a decade of experience in client management and business development in the luxury retail industry. Based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Aldworth now leads PDA’s national membership department, developing and implementing strategies to grow and strengthen the association’s membership.

In response to the growing need for specialized education in private equity (PE) governance, PDA launched the PE Portfolio Company Certificate Task Force in 2025. This strategic initiative was formed to support PDA members interested in serving on PE-backed boards by developing and refining the certificate program.

Since the early days of the Private Directors Association, founding member Shep Pryor has played a key role in shaping the organization’s mission and momentum. As part of the original group that launched PDA, he helped lay the foundation for what would become a thriving national network dedicated to improving private company governance. Having served on 16 boards spanning private firms, nonprofits, and public enterprises, Pryor brings both deep expertise and a passion for mentoring and building sustainable systems.

Enterprise AI success requires commitment from the CEO and the board of directors. This statement sounds simple and easy. However, it is generally not on the top of mind for CEOs and the board.

Operational Risk often gets overlooked compared to broader GRC (Governance, Risk Management, Compliance) topics and Cybersecurity. This article highlights its importance for board members, outlining a three-phase maturity approach.