Name: Masterclass 1: Why a Board Would Want to Hire You
Start: 2026-02-04T14:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-04T15:15:00+00:00

Boards don’t select for perfection; they select for impact.

In this 75-minute live masterclass, WeQual’s CEO and best-selling author Mark Bateman explores how boards make decisions, assessing risk, culture, and potential for first-time directors.

Meet Your Board Experts

Mark Bateman — CEO, WeQual | NED Advisor For over two decades, Mark has coached senior executives across the Fortune Global 500 companies to accelerate progression into board and C-suite roles. He is also the Amazon best-selling author of Disruptive Leadership.

Takeaways:

Reframe achievements into board-level impact stories
Understand board selection psychology and risk appetite
Recognize time, reward, and remuneration realities
Map your Board Promise, your clear, differentiated value
Leave with Part 1 of your personalized Board Readiness Plan, the foundation of your 8-week sprint.

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.

This offer is valid until 31 January 2026.

Mary D. 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.