In a book businesswomen can rally around and use as a manual, an expert in female board representation shows what it takes to get nominated to a corporate board and become a productive and respected member. Women still make up only 16 percent of large-company corporate boards and 45 of the Fortune 500 still have no female board members. Ironically, corporations know they have a problem recruiting outstanding female board members. They maintain that, despite women's enormous strides in the business world, qualified women remain difficult to find. This book blazes a trail. Rather than focusing on lack of opportunity or loudly calling for the appointment of more women to boards, it simply shows women what they can do to get on boards. In its pages, businesswomen will gain refreshing insights into the many opportunities that exist for them to rise to leadership. The result of two years' research and interviews, the book identifies specific steps a woman can take to become qualified and competent to serve at the very top - as a director on a for-profit corporate board. Arguing that women need to 'learn from the leaders', the author lets 15 female directors tell the truth about how to find a seat at the table. Each story is different; no one path or decision worked for every woman. Their advice closes each chapter, providing encouragement and perspective from over three decades of practical experience with public company boards. This title includes 15 profiles of prominent businesswoman that personalize the attributes it takes to succeed as a corporate director and 9 illustrations. Highlights of this title are as mentioned below. It presents the six most prominent paths into the boardroom - nonprofit, academic, government, entrepreneurship, investment, and corporate - profiling women directors who followed each of the six paths. It identifies steps women can take that will make them qualified and competent to serve at the very top. It allows women to learn from the leaders what it takes to get nominated to a corporate board.