What is an Advisory Board and Why Does Your Business Need One?
An advisory board is a group of external experts who provide advice and guidance to a company’s management team. These advisors bring a range of perspectives and expertise to the table, and can help a business navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and make strategic decisions.
Advisory boards are different from a company’s board of directors, which has legal responsibilities and fiduciary duties to shareholders. Advisory boards do not have legal authority, but they can provide valuable insights and recommendations to help a company succeed.
So why does your business need an advisory board? Here are a few reasons:
- Fresh perspectives: An advisory board can bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to your business. By tapping into the expertise of individuals outside of your organization, you can gain insights that you might not otherwise have access to.
- Industry knowledge: Advisory board members can bring industry-specific knowledge and experience to your company. This can be particularly valuable if you are entering a new market or trying to stay ahead of industry trends.
- Strategic planning: An advisory board can help your company with strategic planning and decision-making. By providing input and advice, advisory board members can help you identify new opportunities and avoid potential pitfalls.
- Networking: Advisory board members can also help you connect with other experts and potential customers in your industry. This can be particularly useful if you are looking to expand your business or build new partnerships.
When selecting members for your advisory board, it’s important to choose individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise. You want to make sure that the advisors you bring on board can provide valuable insights and recommendations, and that they are aligned with your company’s goals and values.
Overall, an advisory board can be an invaluable resource for your business. By tapping into the expertise and insights of external advisors, you can gain a competitive advantage and position your company for long-term success.
IRP Advisory Board
Jill Abramson, creative writing professor at Harvard
Raney Aronson-Rath, executive producer for PBS FRONTLINE
Joshua Benton, director of the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University
Tom Bettag, executive producer for ABC News Nightline with Ted Koppel
Rajiv Chandrasekaran, author of For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism and Sacrifice
Anthony De Rosa, digital production manager for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Liz Heron, executive editor of The Huffington Post
Lonnie Isabel, associate professor and director of the International Reporting Program at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Kevin Klose, professor and former dean of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at University of Maryland
Nicholas D. Kristof, columnist at The New York Times
Chuck Lewis, executive editor of the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University’s School of Communication
Douglas McGray, co-founder and editor-in-chief of California Sunday and Pop-Up Magazine
Matt O’Neill, filmmaker and producer with Downtown Community Television (DCTV)
Andrew Pergam, director of video at McClatchy
Adam Clayton Powell III, director of Washington Policy Initiatives at University of Southern California
Evan Ratliff, co-founder, CEO and editor of The Atavist