How to Reframe Your Brand for Board Service with Sonya Olds Som

Описание: Wanting to be on a board and being ready for board service are not the same thing. Some people spend years building relationships, understanding governance, and positioning themselves as trusted advisors. Others rush the process and undermine their credibility before a real conversation even begins. Sonya Olds Som, Global Managing Partner and leader of the Legal, Risk, and Compliance Practice at DSG Global, conducts executive and board searches across industries. In this episode of Branding Room Only, Paula T. Edgar and Sonya break down what truly signals board readiness, why mindset matters as much as experience, and how your personal brand either builds trust or raises red flags in the boardroom.

1:10 – The best piece of professional advice Sonya has received, habits that keep her focused, and one surprising fact about her
3:19 – Why Sonya wouldn’t consider practicing law again and one small joy she always fits in weekly
5:29 – How the boardroom impression “nose in, fingers out” changes the way you talk about your expertise and value
10:39 – Motivations that signal true readiness for the responsibility of board service
12:20 – The kinds of people boards are always looking for and how opportunities have opened up in the last few years
15:14 – How to pivot to make yourself attractive to boards with less directly-connected experience than what they typically look for
17:56 – How to answer tough experience questions in an interview without selling yourself short or pretending to be something you’re not
19:53 – Biggest mistake people make when trying to turn their resumes into board bios
21:24 – One of the best ways to prepare yourself to be a board member (and why treating it as “easy money” is a bad move)
26:32 – What a board candidate’s LinkedIn profile should incorporate to signal they’re ready
29:28 – What you should NOT be doing on LinkedIn when looking for a board role (or in general)
34:10 – Ways to maximize your visibility and presence without oversharing or feeling like you're self-promoting too aggressively
36:38 – The “Ferris Bueller factor” that may matter more than any board readiness credential you collect
41:39 – How nonprofit boards, school communities, and passion projects can quietly position you for paid board opportunities
45:07 – How board readiness programs (though not necessary) can benefit you
48:11 – General mistakes you should avoid when positioning yourself to be a board member
52:41 – How to approach your first board seat so it strengthens, rather than strains, your personal brand and your life
55:49 – What you need to know about the way recruiters usually work

Mentioned In How to Reframe Your Brand for Board Service with Sonya Olds Soms

Diversified Search Group https://www.dsgco.com/our-people/sony...
Sonya Olds Som on LinkedIn   / sonyasom  
The Strategic Power of Intentional Connection with Sonya Olds Soms https://www.paulaedgar.com/podcast/br...
Trailblazing Change (Part 1) https://www.paulaedgar.com/podcast/tr...
Part 2 with Ben Wilson https://www.paulaedgar.com/podcast/tr...
Girls Inc. of Chicago https://girlsincofchicago.org/
The American Writers Museum https://americanwritersmuseum.org/
Dressed in Joy https://dressedinjoy.com/

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Sponsor for this episode

This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.

PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.

Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhance professional development, strengthen workplace culture, and drive meaningful, measurable change.

To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at [email protected], and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.