Name: Masterclass 1: Why a Board Would Want to Hire You (EMEA/AMER)
Start: 2025-10-23T14:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-10-23T15:15:00+01:00

AMER, EMEA

Boards don’t choose the “perfect” candidate — they choose the leader who makes their value impossible to ignore. This masterclass shows you how to show up as that leader.

In this 75-minute live session, WeQual CEO Mark Bateman and VP Executive Branding Libby Crossland unpack the psychology of board recruitment, the strategic frameworks behind governance, and the real criteria boards use to select new members. They will be joined by guest board facilitator Mary D. Petryszyn — Board Director and Former Corporate Vice President at Northrop Grumman. Mary currently serves on four boards, including Saab Inc. and Woodward Inc., and will share candid insight into what boards actually look for when appointing first-time directors. You’ll learn how to reframe your achievements into compelling board-level impact stories, understand the time and risk realities of the role, and map your unique “board promise.” You’ll leave with Part 1 of your personalized Board Readiness Plan — the foundation for landing your next role. 

Speakers: 

Mark Bateman – WeQual CEO with decades of coaching experience, specializing in helping senior leaders secure first-time and next-stage board roles through behavioral science and strategic positioning.

Libby Crossland – WeQual VP Executive Branding with deep expertise in brand positioning, career storytelling, and translating executive achievements into market-ready narratives.

Mary D. Petryszyn – Board Director and Former Corporate Vice President at Northrop Grumman. Currently serving on four boards, including Saab Inc. and Woodward Inc., Mary brings unmatched insight into board selection, governance, and what it really takes to earn a first-time director appointment.

Takeaways: 

Decode what boards really value

Position your experience for board impact

Understand governance and strategic oversight

Learn directly from a board director’s experience

Gain employer/sponsor buy-in

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.

Mark Bateman

WeQual

CEO & Author

Mark Bateman is the CEO of WeQual, a global leader in inclusive leadership development, working with over 350 of the world’s largest companies to drive inclusion at the top. Under his leadership, WeQual has helped identify and develop C-suite-ready talent, with 36% of award winners now sitting on executive committees.

With extensive experience coaching senior executives and advising Fortune Global 1000 companies, Mark is a recognized authority on building high-performing, diverse leadership cultures. His work has shaped global DEI strategies, helping organizations navigate leadership transitions and embed sustainable, impactful change.

Libby Crossland

WeQual

VP Marketing & Executive Branding

With over 18 years of experience, Libby is passionate about supporting executives to articulate their worth and actualize their career goals. By integrating insights from our Business and Development tracks, this session will spark transformative change and enable you to own your achievements.