News

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.

When Sue Siradas joined PDA in early 2024 as Director of Education and National Events, she brought more than a decade of experience in educational programming and event planning. Prior to PDA, she served as Director of Education Resources for the Appraisal Institute, where she managed the development and delivery of classroom and online learning for real estate appraisers nationwide.

PDA has launched a new Board Development Task Force to help chapters strengthen and expand programs that give members real-world governance experience.

Disability representation on boards signals a company’s commitment to inclusive values and can drive stronger connections with customers and employees alike. It also fosters cultures of belonging—where innovation thrives.

In the current unpredictable geopolitical and economic landscape, tariffs are once again making headlines in the news and in the boardroom. As the U.S. revisits trade policy with China, Europe, and other key partners, directors of public and private companies alike must be prepared to assess how new or proposed tariffs could impact their businesses.

The newly launched ESOP Governance Essentials Certificate Task Force is expanding PDA’s efforts to equip members with the knowledge and tools needed to serve on ESOP company boards. Evolved from an earlier committee, the task force now oversees the course curriculum and is broadening its reach through new educational content, thought leadership, and community engagement initiatives.

What’s the thread connecting plumbing apprenticeships, Fortune 100 leadership, and PDA? As one of PDA’s founding members, Dennis Kessler reveals how his "1/3 time for service" philosophy helped shape PDA’s volunteer-driven culture—and why governance thrives when members raise their hands.

Most people prefer to avoid contemplating the replacement in their role, especially just after they have been appointed to that position. This is exactly the reason that a company’s Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in the CEO succession planning process.