Daniel Vercelli – Get to know our VAB member

What inspired you to become a member of the Virtual Advisory Board community?

After 21 years in a corporate career (including general manager and board positions) and after almost three years building a new chapter in my professional life – one where I can mix purpose, my own sustainability-focused consultancy practice, teaching and board positions, I see in VAB a community that fits my current portfolio of activities, interests and possible next steps. The chance to connect with peers who are willing to share experiences in a safe, confidential space and who perhaps are also struggling with the same questions, challenges, reflections and aspirations is truly attractive to me. It is particularly relevant at this point of my life (46) when I feel it is critical to have a good balance of energy and experience, maturity and desire to discover new things, as well as a willingness to impact and be impacted.

In what area do you feel board advisors can add the most value for Boards of Directors (BoDs) and executive teams?

Board advisors who act freely and committedly (with diligence and preparation) can bring not only experience to boards of directors and executive teams, but they also offer more objective views from  more varied perspectives. This should apply especially to topics where a board advisor may have special or more specific knowledge or experience; bridging gaps that could exist between board of director members and executives. Board advisors can also add value when boards need to address new topics such as sustainability, AI or similar issues where governance frameworks are currently in development. In addition, a board advisor can help to navigate complex conversations on topics such as leadership succession, family issues related to business, vision and strategy evolution, capital raising, etc.. These tend to be themes that are, for some boards and executive teams, are less familiar or not so commonly addressed.

What would be your dream company/organisation to work with as a board advisor/NED?

I would like to work with companies and organisations that wish to embrace (or are already embracing) sustainability as a competitive advantage. I am interested in businesses that are committed to delivering strong value to both their shareholders and stakeholders and which desire to be net-positive organisations.

What book or podcast would you recommend to VAB members that might improve their skills in corporate governance, board advisory or boosting board-to-executive team communications?

I would recommend any of the following – all of which I found to be compelling and insightful reads: Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard; Net Positive, How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More than They Take by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston; The Culture Code by Coyle Daniel; or The Governance Revolution: What Every Board Member Needs to Know, NOW! by Deborah Hicks Midanek.

Follow Daniel Vercelli on LinkedIn.