Key Takeaways

• Discover how to judge when you are ready for a board role by focusing on passion for the mission, ability to add genuine value, and willingness to contribute rather than waiting for permission or the perfect credentials.
• Learn to translate your scientific or clinical expertise into language that resonates in the boardroom by understanding governance fundamentals, fiduciary responsibilities, and shareholder obligations that underpin effective board service.
• Explore practical steps to secure your first board seat, from building visibility through nonprofit governance to leveraging your professional network and saying yes to early opportunities that build experience.
• Understand Greenwood’s framework for evaluating board opportunities: prioritise companies where you love the mission, believe in the team, and can genuinely contribute rather than chasing titles or prestige.
• Gain insight from Griggs on calibrating risk tolerance throughout your board career, taking more opportunities early to build experience, then becoming more selective as your personal brand and expertise mature.
• Apply Celniker’s guidance on enterprise-wide thinking and transactional exposure as critical skills for biotech board service, where strategic pivots and deal decisions define company trajectories.
• Uncover the value of asking great questions as a boardroom strategy, using inquiry to surface critical information, demonstrate expertise, and contribute meaningfully without dominating discussions.

Snippets

• “I think you would do yourself a favour, and the company a favour, by picking a board that you’re passionate about, where you absolutely love the company, the team, the product, the science.” (2025, Luba Greenwood)
• “Learning the ability to be able to ask good questions, of your teammates, of upper management, of people more junior than you, to be able to make sure that the most salient information is on the table is invaluable.” (2025, Michaela Griggs)
• “[It’s crucial to] understand how important it is to have a wonderfully diverse group of people on any board to bring a diverse group of opinions as well as experiences.” (2025, Abbie Celniker)

Timestamps & Topics

• 00:00 – Intro: Overview of Lift Up mission and boardroom bravery focus
• 03:13 – Guest Introductions: Greenwood’s journey from corporate lawyer to three-time CEO and board member
• 06:52 – First Board Thoughts: When and how each panellist first considered board service
• 16:20 – Managing Risk: How to evaluate board opportunities and protect your reputation
• 28:09 – Nonprofit to For-Profit: Translating governance experience across board types
• 36:21 – Preparing for Board Roles: Skills to build 5 to 10 years before your first seat
• 43:56 – Making Your Voice Heard: Strategies for contributing effectively in boardroom discussions
• 50:43 – Advice to Younger Selves: Final wisdom from three senior life sciences leaders

Resources

• Follow Luba Greenwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubagreenwood/
• Follow Michaela Griggs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelagriggs/
• Follow Abbie Celniker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbie-celniker-277a356/
• Follow Louise Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lifesciencesexecutivesearchretainedstaffingtalentsolutionsmanagingdirector/
• Join Lift Up: https://fraserdove.com/lift-up-women-life-sciences/

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Feedback?

Have questions or feedback about the broadcast or want to feature as a guest? Email us at hello@liftup.fraserdove.com