Immersive Boardroom Experience Designed to Develop More Effective Directors in an Era of Accelerating Change.
TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Directors Academy, a national 501(c)(3) and Arizona State University, today announced the launch of the 2026 Board Immersion Program, an immersive boardroom experience designed to help current and future directors strengthen their governance capabilities at a time when the velocity of change demands more engaged , informed, and effective board leadership.
The program will begin with a virtual session on October 16, 2026, followed by a two-day program at Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business on November 12-13, 2026.
Founded by James D. White, experienced corporate director and former Chair, President, and CEO of Jamba, alongside veteran corporate governance advisor and executive search leader Keith Meyer, Directors Academy was created to address a common challenge: while executives spend decades learning how to lead organizations, few receive formal preparation for the responsibilities of corporate board service.
"Organizations need directors who can anticipate change, understand emerging risks, and help leadership make better long-term decisions," said Raghu Santanam — Senior Associate Dean, Executive Education, Corporate Partnerships and Lifelong Learning, McCord Chair in Business, and Professor in the Department of Information Systems. By combining academic insight with an authentic boardroom experience, this program will help prepare directors to lead with greater confidence and impact."
Over the past decade, more than 220 senior executives have completed Directors Academy programs, and alumni have served on over 160 corporate boards spanning public, private, and nonprofit organizations. "The velocity of change today is unlike anything most directors have experienced during their careers," said White, co-founder of Directors Academy. Boards must simultaneously oversee emerging technologies, geopolitical uncertainty, evolving stakeholder expectations, cyber threats, and entirely new categories of risk. Effective governance has never been more important, and directors must continuously develop the skills necessary to meet these challenges."
The Board Immersion Program moves participants from committee-level immersive sessions to a full-board governance exercise focused on current boardroom issues. Led by experienced directors and governance leaders, participants are asked to evaluate emerging risks, debate competing priorities, and make decisions under the same uncertainty boards face today.
"The program was designed to replicate the experience of serving on a board, not simply studying one," said Meyer, president of Directors Academy. "Participants are asked to think, question, debate, and make decisions as directors. From the moment they receive their pre-read materials until the final board session concludes, they are operating as board members rather than observers."
Program participants will receive a certificate of completion from Arizona State University and are invited to continue their engagement through Directors Academy's growing network of executives, directors, faculty members, and alumni.
About Directors Academy
Directors Academy identifies, develops, and advances corporate board talent through immersive learning experiences, governance education, and executive development programs. Founded by James D. White and Keith Meyer, the Academy has helped the next generation of corporate Directors strengthen their boardroom capabilities and prepare for board leadership opportunities. To learn more about Directors Academy, visit www.directorsacademy.com.
About the W. P. Carey School of Business
The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is the largest and one of the top-ranked public business schools in the United States. The school is internationally regarded for its academic programs and the research productivity of its distinguished faculty members. Students come from more than 120 countries, and W. P. Carey is represented by over 140,000 alumni worldwide.
Media Contacts
David Schutzman
Directors Academy
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Shay Moser
W. P. Carey School of Business
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Jon Friedman
Chief Operating Officer
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SOURCE Directors Academy
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