Private Directors Association

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Multi-Chapter Virtual Event | Unlocking Board Opportunities: Innovative Paths to the Right Role

Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM EST

Category: Multi-Chapter

Unlocking Board Opportunities: Innovative Paths to the Right Role

Overview

Obtaining a board role, especially the first one, often requires an innovative, structured, and focused approach to be successful. Hear from a panel of board members and recruiters- from family-run companies to PE-backed portfolio companies - on their journey and the innovative methods they have used to secure their roles. 

Registration

$00 PDA Member
$25 Non Member

Register

Panelists

Michael Littlejohn
Founder, SLED Strategic Growth Advisors; Senior Advisor, Landings;
Independent Director, MGT; Advisory Board Member, Olivia Technologies;
Managing Director, Sustainability Services Group

Michael is a consultant, board member, seasoned senior executive, and entrepreneur with more than 35 years of experience with 3 global professional services and technology firms (PwC, IBM, and Ernst and Young). Over that time, Michael has held numerous leadership roles with positions in General Management, Delivery/Practice Management, Strategic Growth, and Large Account Management. He has led services businesses with as many as 1,200 staff, and he has managed professional services P&Ls in the $100-$300m (US) range. While at IBM and EY he was part of the senior management team for two different $1B+ Public Sector services businesses. Michael also did a 2 year rotation leading IBM’s global internal transformation unit.

In his long corporate career, Michael has advised clients within the government and public, enterprise technology, not-for-profit, and financial services sectors. His for-profit clients have ranged from startups to multi-billion-dollar global companies.

Rod McDermott
CEO
McDermott + Bull

Rod McDermott is the CEO + Co-Founder of McDermott + Bull, with offices in the US, Canada, and Europe; the President + CEO of M+B Interim Leaders, founded in 2011 to address an increasing client need for time-sensitive solutions to important leadership challenges; and the CEO + Co-Founder of Activate 180, which helps companies elevate employee performance, productivity, and engagement through affordable coaching for all.

Rod has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years, growing companies from the ground up and challenging industry norms. Rod has sat on multiple public, private, and non-profit company boards and has been actively recruiting board directors for the last two decades. 

Rochelle Campbell
CEO & Managing Member
Leadership Elevated

Rochelle Campbell is the founder and CEO of Leadership Elevated, a board recruitment and governance consultancy supporting boards and board candidates. She has supported thousands of directors and executives across industries, delivering custom board searches, interview preparation, coaching, evaluations, skills matrices, and governance training. She has placed dozens of directors on boards from the Fortune 500 to large private, family-owned, and nonprofit organizations, with 85% of her placements increasing board diversity.

A recognized governance thought leader, Rochelle frequently advises on board composition, dynamics, and recruitment. She has guided thousands of directors and helped more than 700 military flag and general officers transition their leadership experience into the private sector.

Rochelle serves as Chair of the Private Directors Association’s Board Directors Opportunity Committee and as Programming Chair for the D.C. Chapter. She is also Nom/Gov Chair of Civics and Service International and an Advisory Board member for Athena Alliance. She holds a master’s in Peace Operations from George Mason University and is an NACD Board Leadership Fellow.

Moderator

Veronica Maceira
Managing Director
McDermott + Bull

Veronica Maceira serves as Managing Director at McDermott + Bull Interim Leaders, based in New York, NY. Veronica partners with clients who require on-demand consulting resources to bridge leadership gaps and propel their business forward.

Veronica has over 20 years of experience in business development and legal services, working with a diverse range of clients — serving emerging and middle-market companies and private equity firms broadly across industries and functional areas. Prior to joining McDermott + Bull, Veronica developed a proven track record of driving revenue growth, market expansion, and successful enterprise-level initiatives. Her success is deeply rooted in her ability to build and nurture strong, lasting relationships with clients.

Veronica graduated with a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in New York. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two daughters, relaxing with her two dogs, and reading.