Ep 23. Are You Ready for a Board — and Is There a Board Ready for You? – Anne Sample, Navigate Forward – CEO 2 CEO
Thu Feb 05 2026
Aspirations for a board seat can often be viewed through a glamorous lens — a prestigious, and perhaps cushy, gig as a next step in one’s career.
In reality, true board work is very different than anticipated, board readiness is far more nuanced than many realize, and being good at it requires an approach unlike the one that made you successful operating a business.In this episode of CEO 2 CEO,
Scott Sustacek sits down with Anne Sample, Owner and CEO of Navigate Forward, to unpack what board readiness and successful service truly means.
Anne draws on experience as she explains the mindset shift from operator to governor, the real time commitment involved, and why the first board seat matters so much.
The conversation examines common missteps executives make, how boards evaluate fit, and how this type of search differs from a job search.If you're considering board service as a next chapter, this episode offers candid insights — and maybe an important reality check — on how to approach the journey with clarity and credibility.
The CEO Roundtable is comprised of executives representing many fast-growing Minnesota companies who desire to share their ideas, experiences, and insights. Our CEO Roundtable leadership development groups include entrepreneurs interested in growing their companies by leveraging the knowledge of their peers.
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Aspirations for a board seat can often be viewed through a glamorous lens — a prestigious, and perhaps cushy, gig as a next step in one’s career. In reality, true board work is very different than anticipated, board readiness is far more nuanced than many realize, and being good at it requires an approach unlike the one that made you successful operating a business.In this episode of CEO 2 CEO, Scott Sustacek sits down with Anne Sample, Owner and CEO of Navigate Forward, to unpack what board readiness and successful service truly means. Anne draws on experience as she explains the mindset shift from operator to governor, the real time commitment involved, and why the first board seat matters so much. The conversation examines common missteps executives make, how boards evaluate fit, and how this type of search differs from a job search.If you're considering board service as a next chapter, this episode offers candid insights — and maybe an important reality check — on how to approach the journey with clarity and credibility. The CEO Roundtable is comprised of executives representing many fast-growing Minnesota companies who desire to share their ideas, experiences, and insights. Our CEO Roundtable leadership development groups include entrepreneurs interested in growing their companies by leveraging the knowledge of their peers.