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Join us for a practical exploration of the realities of board roles—and what it takes to step forward with clarity and confidence. 

Mary D. Petryszyn is a global defense and aerospace leader whose career spans executive leadership, board service, and engineering innovation. She will share candid insight into what boards truly look for when appointing first-time directors. 

As former Corporate Vice President and President of Northrop Grumman’s Defense Systems sector, Mary led the delivery of mission-critical capabilities worldwide. Today, she serves on the boards of Saab Inc., Woodward Inc., and Karman Holdings. She is also a senior member of IEEE and a Fellow of the Society of Women Engineers. 

What You’ll Learn 

  • Identify essential stakeholders in board operations 
  • Understand the critical qualities of an effective board director 
  • Learn strategies for securing board positions 
  • Differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape 
  • Recognize the right moment to step up 

Takeaway
Leave with Part 1 of your personalized Board Readiness Plan—a practical foundation for mapping your path to the boardroom with clarity and conviction.

Exclusive offer for Members of WeQual Executives

Enjoy 20% off our Board Readiness Program (Q1 2026) — designed to equip you with the insight, tools, and confidence to secure your first or next board role.

  • Premium Package — £3,600 (was £4,500)
    Includes two masterclasses, a consultation with a world-class board résumé writer, a professionally written board résumé, targeted cover letter, and a coaching session. Register here. 
  • Standard Package — £2,000 (was £2,500)
    Includes a consultation, board-ready résumé, targeted cover letter, and a coaching session. Register here. 

 

Offer valid until 30 November 2025.

Mary Petryszyn

Woodward Inc.

Board Director

Mary D. Petryszyn is a global defense and aerospace leader with a career spanning executive leadership, board service, and engineering innovation. As former Corporate Vice President and President of Northrop Grumman’s Defense Systems sector, she led the delivery of mission-critical capabilities to defense and civilian clients worldwide.

Today, Mary serves on the boards of Saab Inc., Woodward, Inc., and Karman Holdings, bringing strategic oversight and industry expertise. A recognized advocate for leadership progression in complex sectors, she is also a senior member of IEEE and a Fellow of the Society of Women Engineers.

Mary brings hard-earned insight into how leaders navigate complexity, build resilient teams, and drive enterprise impact.

Emma Hicks

WeQual

VP of Memberships & Programs

Emma is an experienced strategic leader, specializing in professional development at C-suite and senior management levels. With a track record for delivering solutions across a broad range of global sectors and industries, Emma brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for continuing professional development.

Emma is a Fellow and Advisory Board Member of the Learning Performance Institute (LPI), holds certifications from the Institute of Directors (IoD) and Association for Talent Development (ATD), and is a former Education Committee member at the European Confederation of Directors Associations (ecoDa).

Outside of WeQual, Emma has a young family (8-year-old Joshua, 6-year-old Jasmine, and a recent ‘furbaby’ addition, Monty the cockapoo), who keep her equally busy, active and above all grateful.

Date & Time:

November 14, 2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm GMT