PDA Celebrates Tenth Anniversary of Excellence in Private Company Governance

Commemorating a Decade of Enhancing Private Company Value

Chicago, Illinois, Feb. 13, 2024 – The Private Directors Association (PDA), the only national association dedicated to improving private companies' growth and sustainability through board governance, is proud to announce the 10th anniversary of its founding. Established in 2014, PDA has flourished into a burgeoning national ecosystem, counting over 3,300 business executives, corporate members, and sponsors whose shared mission is to advocate for excellence in private company board formation and governance practices. 

Reflecting on the organization's accomplishments, Elaine Eisenman, PDA's Board Chair, remarked, "I am honored to chair the PDA Board of Directors during this landmark year in PDA's history. Since our inception in 2014, we've strived to serve private companies across the globe with the resources to sustain their growth through excellence in board governance practices. The Private Directors Association extends heartfelt gratitude to the founding members whose vision and dedication paved the way for our future success." 

Debra McGuire, President & CEO of PDA, echoed the sentiment, stating, "Our founders’ commitment to advancing private company governance has shaped PDA into the thriving organization it is today. We are also grateful for the individual and corporate members, volunteers, sponsors, and partners as well as our 20 chapters that have contributed to the association's success over the years." 

As PDA celebrates its 10th anniversary, the non-profit association is unveiling an extensive 2024 schedule of programming that includes: 

• National Conference: In the Fall, the Private Directors Association will hold its first annual education conference and expo. This two-day gathering will bring together members, industry advocates, thought leaders, sponsors, alliance partners, and prospective members to discuss topics crucial to private company success.

• Virtual Town Hall: In May, a virtual celebration will commemorate PDA's 10th anniversary, where PDA will reflect on our achievements and look ahead to the future of private company governance.

• Online Educational Courses: PDA is expanding its educational offerings with three online self-paced certificate courses:  Private Companies in Governance, Private Company Governance in ESOPs, and Private Equity Portfolio Companies. A fourth certificate course in Cybersecurity is also in the pipeline for 2024.

• Board Opportunities & Candidates: PDA is expanding its board posting service, enabling corporate members to post new board opportunities to our member community and for members to seek new board-level positions across an assemblage of global board recruitment services and platforms.

• In-Person & Online Events: PDA will offer members a robust calendar of national and local chapter events, along with valuable partners and affiliates, to engage with fellow experts, thought leaders and executives across a range of essential business competencies, including growth, diversity, cybersecurity, and governance.

• Thought Leadership Opportunities: PDA is expanding its thought leadership opportunities for members and sponsors, including access to speaking and publishing media, webinars, and speaker panels across a diversified array of topics essential to board governance.

On this 10th Anniversary, PDA would like to salute its founders Kenneth Hoganson, Dennis Kessler, M. Jay Heilbrunn, and founding members who have contributed to our Association’s success throughout their past decade of membership: Marianne Hewitt, Adela Cepeda, Arthur Mertes, Brian Ruddy, Bruce Goldstein, Cindy Burrell, Claudia Allen, Daniel Bayston, Don Hempson, Erik Kantz, Jerry Rixie, Phyllis Cochran, Randy Bridgeman, Shep Pryor, Bob Lindeman, Mark Zorko, Leslie Anderson, JoAnn Lilek, Venita Fields, Rebecca Wing, Daniel McHugh, and Alan Mindlin.

If you would like to join the PDA as an individual or corporate member, we invite professionals, executives, board members, and private companies to explore our website and become a part of the nation's only association dedicated to advancing private company governance practices.

About Private Directors Association:

The Private Directors Association (PDA) is dedicated to creating, sustaining, and enhancing private company value through Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards. Led by volunteers contributing their time and expertise, PDA is a hub for directors, executives, owners, and the C-Suite of private companies. Through expert programming on leading board practices, PDA facilitates peer-to-peer networking and informs members about current and challenging topics facing the local private company community both on a National and Chapter basis. For more information about PDA and its 10th anniversary celebration, visit www.privatedirectors.org.