Latest / The Comeback Career Podcast with Fexingo: Returning After a Gap, Stay-at-Home Re-Entry / How a Career Gap Can Help You Build a Board Portfolio
Transcript
- Lucas: So Luna, we talk a lot on this show about getting back into a traditional 9-to-5 after a career gap. But I want to talk about something that doesn't get nearly enough attention — serving on a board of directors. Luna: Oh, that's interesting. You mean like a nonprofit board, or a corporate board? Lucas: Both, actually. And I think it's one of the smartest moves a parent returning from a gap can make — especially if you don't want to jump back into a full-time role right away. Board service gives you influence, exposure, and a serious credential without the 40-hour week commitment. Luna: Okay, but isn't it incredibly hard to get on a board? I always pictured it as this exclusive club for retired CEOs. Lucas: That's the old image. Things have changed. Let me give you a concrete example. A woman named Priya — former marketing director at a mid-size CPG company — took a five-year gap after having twins. When she wanted to re-enter, she didn't go for a director role. She targeted board seats instead. Luna: And she got one? Lucas: She got two. First, a local arts council board. Then, within 18 months, she was appointed to the ESG committee of a publicly traded regional bank. Her gap wasn't a liability — it was part of her story. She said the board loved that she had experience managing complex household logistics, volunteer coordination, and budgeting on a reduced income. Luna: That's amazing. So how did she actually make the leap? Because I imagine walking into a board interview after five years at home is intimidating. Lucas: She followed a three-step process, and I think it's replicable. Step one: identify your 'boardable' skills. Boards need financial literacy, strategic planning, HR experience, marketing, legal — whatever your pre-gap expertise was, it's relevant. Priya's background in brand strategy and consumer insights was perfect for a board that was trying to modernize its outreach. Luna: Right, so you don't need to be a CFO or a lawyer. But I bet a lot of parents feel like their skills have atrophied. Lucas: And that's the mental block to overcome. Step two: target the right organizations. Priya started with local nonprofits because they're more accessible. She joined the board of her children's school's PTA first, then used that to get on the arts council. She treated it as a ladder. Luna: So start small, prove yourself, then climb. Lucas: Exactly. And step three: position your gap as an asset. In her board application, she didn't try to hide the five years. She framed it as a period of intense stakeholder management — her kids were the stakeholders. She talked about negotiating with contractors for home renovations, managing a volunteer team for a community event, and overseeing a tight household budget. Luna: That reframing is everything. Because honestly, running a household is a lot like running a small organization. Lucas: There's data to back this up. A 2025 survey by BoardReady — that's a nonprofit that tracks board diversity — found that 38% of board directors now consider non-traditional career paths, including career gaps, to be a strength. That's up from 22% just five years ago. Luna: That's a huge shift. What's driving it? Lucas: Boards are under pressure to diversify — not just by gender and race, but by experience. A board full of active executives can suffer from groupthink. Someone who's been out of the corporate day-to-day can offer fresh perspective. And frankly, they often have more time to actually prepare for meetings. Luna: Yeah, that makes sense. I've heard directors complain that some members just show up and skim the deck. A parent returning from a gap might be more engaged precisely because they're not overwhelmed by a day job. Lucas: Exactly. And here's another angle — many corporate boards now have committees focused on ESG, which stands for environmental, social, and governance issues. These committees often look for members with community engagement experience. Who better than a parent who's been deeply involved in local volunteering? Luna: You know, this conversation is exactly why people listen to this show. We get so many questions about how to rebuild confidence after a gap, and board service seems like a perfect way to do that while actually building something meaningful. Lucas: And it's also a reminder that a lot of this content exists because listeners support us. If you've gotten something out of episodes like this, a couple of dollars a month is genuinely what keeps these going. You can find us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Seriously, it makes a difference. Luna: Yeah, we don't run ads, so it really is listener-powered. And we're grateful for every contribution, no matter the size. Lucas: Back to boards — let's talk about the practical steps for actually applying. Priya used LinkedIn to find board openings. There are also dedicated platforms like Boardable and OnBoard that list opportunities. Luna: And how did she prepare for the interview? Lucas: She did her homework. She read the organization's last three annual reports, reviewed the bios of existing board members, and prepared specific questions about their strategic challenges. In the interview for the bank's ESG committee, she pointed out that the bank's sustainability report had a gap in how it measured community impact — she offered to help build a better framework. Luna: That's the kind of specific value that makes you memorable. Lucas: Exactly. And she got the seat. Now she's one of seven members on that committee, and she says it's given her more career momentum than any job application ever could. Luna: So for someone listening right now who's been home for two, three, five years — what's the first thing they should do tomorrow? Lucas: Go to LinkedIn and search for 'board member' or 'board of directors' in the jobs section. Filter by nonprofit. Look for organizations with fewer than 10 board members — those are often actively recruiting. Then send a concise message to the board chair expressing interest and attaching a one-page 'board bio' — not a traditional resume. Luna: That's a great actionable step. And what about the board bio — how is it different from a resume? Lucas: A board bio is more narrative. It highlights your expertise in the context of governance. Instead of listing job duties, you talk about strategic outcomes you influenced. And you explicitly address your gap — frame it as a period of community leadership or intensive project management. Priya's bio mentioned her 'five-year sabbatical focused on family and community volunteer leadership.' That's honest and positive. Luna: I love that phrasing. 'Sabbatical' sounds intentional. 'Family and community volunteer leadership' sounds like a role, not a hole. Lucas: Exactly. And one more tip — start with advisory boards. Many startups have advisory boards that are less formal than fiduciary boards. They're a low-risk way to get experience and a reference. I know a parent who served on an advisory board for a local tech incubator and used that to later land a corporate board seat. Luna: So there's really a ladder for this. PTA, nonprofit advisory, nonprofit board, corporate committee, corporate board. Lucas: That's the path. And each step builds your credibility and network. By the time you're applying for a corporate board, you have a track record of governance experience that no one can dismiss. Luna: It's also worth noting that board service can be paid. Some corporate boards pay retainers and meeting fees. Even nonprofit boards sometimes offer stipends. Lucas: True. But I'd say don't lead with compensation. Lead with the mission and the learning. The money will come if you perform. Luna: Good advice. So to sum up today's episode: if you're a parent re-entering the workforce after a gap, consider board service. It's a legitimate, powerful way to rebuild your resume, expand your network, and make an impact — without jumping back into a 9-to-5. Lucas: And remember, you already have the skills. You just need to reframe them. Priya went from 'former marketing director' to 'board member with fresh perspective' — and you can too. Luna: Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time on The Comeback Career Podcast. Lucas: Take care, everyone.