Sara Finesilver

Professional Focus

• 15 years’ experience consulting with boards, CEOs and senior leadership teams on organizational, governance and leadership issues; additional background in corporate litigation consulting
• Cross-sector experience in healthcare governance, controlled company and public board governance, higher education governance, and performing arts governance
• Specialties include developing skills and values-based competency models to improve board diversity and effectiveness; designing and implementing board and organizational development programs; designing and conducting board and individual director performance assessments; and facilitating board-led long-range strategic planning processes
• Educational and professional background in organizational psychology, leadership development and coaching

Business Expertise

• Consultant and Owner at Board First Consulting, LLC, a woman-owned boutique consulting firm specializing in board effectiveness
• Consultant for 14 years at Nygren Consulting, a boutique consulting firm specializing in corporate governance, strategy, and leadership
• Board and Change Leadership Consultant at Felton Institute, an evidence-based social services non-profit organization
• Organizational Consultant at Lamorinda Consulting, LLC and Berkeley Research Group, LLC, organizational strategy and human resources consultancies; focused on corporate litigation consulting
• Certified Social Fitness Facilitator at The Heroic Imagination Project, a non-profit organization providing consulting and training
• Adjunct Faculty Member, Psychology Department at San Francisco State University; taught psychology of motivation
• Team Performance Coach, Berkeley Innovative Leadership Development program at Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley
• Benefits & Recruiting Manager at Jackson & Wallace, LLP

Practice Membership

Cross-Sector Practices

• CEO & Board Services

Additional Expertise

• Not-for-Profit
• Healthcare
• Public Sector
• Performing Arts
• Education

Education & Certifications

• Master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from San Francisco State University
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lake Forest College, Chicago
• Leadership Development Certificate, Insight Leadership Seminars

Affiliations & Awards

• Board Chair, Boulder County AIDS Project Board of Directors
• Board Officer and Membership Committee Chair, Lake Forest College Alumni Board (2010-2018)
• Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award, Lake Forest College Alumni Board (2013)