Board Diversity Network

What Board Diversity Network does

Board Diversity Network (BDN) is a Toronto-based private organization that delivers board-readiness education and networking services to equity-deserving executives in Canada, including Indigenous, racialized, gender-diverse, 2SLGBTQI+, and executives with disabilities. Its core product is a four-module in-person Board Readiness and Networking Program delivered in Toronto and Vancouver through a partnership with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. Participants who complete the program earn the Accredited Board Director (AccBD) designation, and graduates gain ongoing access to an alumni network, board opportunities, and continued professional development.

The business model combines a one-time professional services fee for the multi-module program with a recurring Events & Networking Membership that provides alumni with continued access to board opportunities and networking events. The program is sold through direct enrollment (currently sold out for Spring 2026), supported by a multi-channel marketing approach spanning content marketing, LinkedIn, email newsletters, the Emerging Trends in the Boardroom event series, speaking engagements at institutions such as Ivey Business School and the Toronto Stock Exchange, and a partner channel that includes PwC Canada, Wildeboer Dellelce LLP (founding partner), McMillan LLP, Marsh McLennan, and Women Get On Board Inc. There is no proprietary technology platform; the organization's only disclosed technology integration is Mailchimp for email marketing. BDN is founder-led by Lori-Ann Beausoleil (Co-Founder and CEO, former 36-year PwC partner and current director at Brookfield Real Estate Income Trust, Cboe Canada, CAPREIT, and Metro Inc.) and Oliver Jordan (Co-Founder, former PwC Partner and CIBC Caribbean Managing Director), with 1–10 total employees and an announced plan to expand nationally in 2026.

Name

Board Diversity Network

Legal name

Board Diversity Network

Website

https://boarddiversitynetwork.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Board Diversity Network is a Toronto-based private organization that delivers an in-person board-readiness program and networking community in Canada, targeting Indigenous, racialized, gender-diverse, 2SLGBTQI+, and disabled executives seeking board appointments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Board Readiness Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Programmatic Accreditors (Discipline/Profession-Specific) (EDADACAC)

Keywords

• Board readiness education
• Corporate governance training
• Executive education programs
• Board director credentialing
• Diversity network services

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Board Readiness and Networking Program (AccBD): The organization generates revenue through its flagship Board Readiness and Networking Program, a multi-module educational offering delivered in-person in Toronto and Vancouver. Participants pay to enroll in the program which provides board-readiness education, networking access, and the Accredited Board Director (AccBD) designation upon completion. The Spring 2026 cohort sold out, indicating demand-driven enrollment.
2. Events & Networking Membership: The organization offers an Events & Networking Membership that provides ongoing access to board opportunities, networking events, and continued professional development beyond the initial program. This represents a recurring engagement and potentially recurring revenue stream for alumni.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Board Diversity Network delivers the Accredited Board Director (AccBD) Readiness and Networking Program, a four-module in-person board-readiness curriculum available in Toronto and Vancouver through a partnership with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. Participants pay to enroll, receive governance fundamentals, board résumé and personal brand development, fiduciary and risk education, and earn the AccBD designation upon completion, followed by ongoing alumni networking and board opportunity access.

Product overview

Board Diversity Network offers a single unified program — the Board Readiness and Networking Program — which combines rigorous in-person education with networking and credentialing. The core product is the four-module Board Readiness and Networking Program delivered in partnership with the Ted Rogers School of Management, which culminates in the Accredited Board Director (AccBD) designation. Supporting offerings include the Events & Networking Membership for ongoing professional development, the Emerging Trends in the Boardroom speaker series, and an active BDN Alumni Network that provides graduates with continued access to board opportunities and networking events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accredited Board Director (AccBD) Readiness and Networking Program
• Events & Networking Membership

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered founding, core and minor.

• Wildeboer Dellelce LLPfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildeboer Dellelce LLP is recognized as a founding partner of the Board Diversity Network and a key contributor to the BDN Executive Board Readiness and Networking Program. As a leading Canadian corporate law firm advising public and private companies on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and securities law, their support reflects a commitment to strengthening governance, expanding access to board opportunities, and shaping the next generation of directors.
• Ted Rogers School of Management – Toronto Metropolitan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Accredited Board Director (AccBD) Program is delivered in partnership with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. The program leverages the academic institution's faculty, facilities, and credibility in business education for program delivery.
• PwC CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPwC Canada is a program partner and event sponsor. They co-hosted the sold-out Emerging Trends in the Boardroom session on AI, Cyber, and Quantum Computing Oversight. PwC partners contribute their expertise and networks to the program.
• Women Get On Board Inc. (WGOB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen Get On Board Inc. is a program partner that supports the board readiness and networking program, contributing to the ecosystem of resources for diverse board candidates.
• Marsh McLennancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMarsh McLennan is a program partner and event sponsor. Their support enables engaging events that strengthen connections, highlight emerging trends, and celebrate the growing BDN network.
• Watson Board AdvisorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWatson Board Advisors is a program partner. Sid Hathiramani, COO of Watson Board Advisors, participated as a speaker at the Vancouver inaugural cohort graduation, demonstrating their engagement with the BDN community.
• Southlea, a GECN Group companycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSouthlea, a GECN Group company, is a program partner that contributes to the board readiness ecosystem. They authored executive compensation trends content featured on the BDN platform.
• McMillan LLPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMcMillan LLP is a program partner and hosted a Black History Month panel featuring BDN co-founder Lori-Ann Beausoleil. Their support reflects commitment to advancing representation and governance excellence.
• GMS Professional Corporation, Chartered Professional AccountantsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGMS Professional Corporation was an event sponsor for the Winter Social Networking Event 2025, partnering with BDN to host the networking event alongside founder Celia Meikle.
• ProtivitiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProtiviti is an event sponsor that made possible engaging events for the BDN community.
• CIEL CapitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCIEL Capital is an event sponsor supporting BDN events.
• Ivey Business School at Western UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBDN co-founder Lori-Ann Beausoleil participated in a panel at the Ivey Business School at Western University's January social at the Toronto Stock Exchange. The event explored board leadership and governance pathways, aligning with BDN's mission.
• Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Toronto Stock Exchange hosted the Ivey Business School panel featuring BDN co-founder Lori-Ann Beausoleil on the topic of joining an influential board and shaping tomorrow's leaders.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/board-diversity-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Board Diversity Network