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Tech Buy-In Starts Here: A CEO’s Guide to Board Engagement .pdf
In this webinar, members were joined Alethea Hannemann, CEO of Board.Dev, for a practical conversation about how to engage your board in tech governance: not as an extra step, but as a force multiplier.
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Tech Buy-In Starts Here: A CEO’s Guide to Board Engagement .pdf
- 1. Tech Buy-In StartsHere: A CEO’s Guide to Board Engagement with Board.Dev August 26, 2025
- 2. 2 © TechSoupGlobal. All Rights Reserved. Closed captioning is available. Turn on with the CC button located in your Zoom menu. This session will be recorded How to Participate
- 3. Today’s Speakers Alethea Hannemann Board.Dev Co-Founder,CEO Shruti Ramaswami Techsoup EVP Strategy & Strategic Relationships Julie Clugage Team4Tech Co-Founder, Executive Director
- 4. 4 Copyright ©TechSoup Global. All Rights Reserved. TechSoup equips changemakers with transformative technology solutions and skills they need to improve lives globally & locally.
- 5. 5 © TechSoupGlobal. All Rights Reserved. Our goal is to help organizations find the resources and support that are necessary to manage their technology and digital solutions. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the U.S. and part of a global network. Our goal is to support nonprofits as they work with technology to help build a more equitable planet. We host a catalog of affordable technology products from major tech brands like Microsoft, Dell, Intuit, Wix, Cisco, Autodesk and many more. We offer services to help nonprofits choose, install, and manage software and hardware. We create content, courses, and trainings to help nonprofit staff to build their tech skills and expertise. Our grant-based programming strengthens global civil society with specific interventions to build the of the sector.
- 6. 6 © TechSoupGlobal. All Rights Reserved. 76% of organizations agree that their organization sees the benefit in using and investing in technology for ease and efficiency but only 25% of organizations has a defined strategy & timeline for digital readiness. Source: Data Handling and Digital Readiness in Civil Society a Global Study (https://page.techsoup.org/data-handling-and-digital-readiness-in-civil-society)
- 7. IN THE NEXT 50MINUTES ● Understand the untapped potential of tech leadership at the board level ● Tech leadership in action: a fireside chat with Julie Clugage, Founder & Executive Director, Team4Tech ● Explore how you can start activating your board around tech today – and bring tech expertise to your board table © BoardDev 2025
- 8. THE STAKES ARERISING Nonprofit leaders are stretched thin… …Tech challenges only add to their workload. Emerging technology brings emerging risk... …Nonprofits are susceptible to cyber threats, data breaches, and AI disruption. 8 © BoardDev 2025
- 9. Yet too fewnonprofits have the tech resources they need to succeed. 3 to 1 Ratio of budget spent on tech by companies vs nonprofits.1 16% Nonprofits reporting high digital maturity.2 4x Increased likelihood of tech-savvy nonprofits to achieve their missions.3 1. Nonprofit Technology Networks, Flexera ; 2. Salesforce.org; 3. Salesforce.org
- 10. Strategic guidance Tech-savvy boardleaders help you make smart, long-term decisions— especially around AI and automation. Better ROI on tech investments They ask the right questions, avoid costly mistakes, and help make the case to funders. Risk + ethics oversight They bring expertise on data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI safety, protecting your org and your community. Mentors, connectors, champions They help staff troubleshoot, tap and scope pro bono support, and open doors to new resources. TECH BOARD LEADERSHIP CAN HELP YOU DO MORE © BoardDev 2025
- 11. GET MORE FROM YOURTECH BUDGET Avoid expensive mistakes. Tech leaders help assess true costs of tools and vendors, before you buy. Scope and activate pro bono. A tech board member can turn vague offers into real, scoped support worth thousands. Negotiate smarter. Board members with vendor experience know how to push for better pricing and terms. Unlock in-kind support. Many tech leaders bring access or knowledge of tools, platforms, and networks. Strengthen your case to funders. Funders want ROI. Tech leadership shows you’re serious about tech investments that drive impact. © BoardDev 2025
- 12. TWO WAYS TOUPLEVEL YOUR BOARD ENGAGE YOUR CURRENT BOARD The Tech 28: 28 Strategic Technology Questions for Boards Standing up a Tech Governance Committee: Get your tech committee functional in 4 quarters AI Adoption + Policy: A 3-month action plan for AI & Tech Governance ADD A TECH LEADER Complete our intake form to help identify the right tech leader profile for your needs. ~45 minutes to complete; progress auto-saved; completed by someone familiar with your board culture and practices, board expertise, org tech strategy and culture. GETTING STARTED
- 13. 13 THE TECH 28: 28QUESTIONS TO HELP YOUR BOARD ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY.
- 14. 14 POLL How often doesyour board engage with your organization’s tech or digital strategy? (a) It’s a regular part of board discussions & planning (b) Occasionally—it comes up in specific contexts (c) Rarely or only when there’s an urgent issue (d) Never or almost never
- 15. © BoardDev 2025 We’vedeveloped 28 questions to help your board engage in meaningful conversations about technology. Use them to: ● Spark discussion ● Uncover capacity or knowledge gaps ● Guide strategic planning This isn’t a checklist. There are no “right” answers, only the right questions for your context. Use them: ● During board discussions and retreats ● In self-assessments or tech surveys ● As a tool to revisit and evolve over time Technology evolves. Your board’s thinking should too. How to use The Tech 28
- 16. 16 TECH LEADERSHIP INACTION with JULIE CLUGAGE, TEAM4TECH
- 17. 17 POLL What’s the biggestbarrier to engaging your board in tech strategy today? (a) They don’t see it as part of their role (b) They lack confidence or fluency with tech topics (c) We haven’t asked them to engage in that way (d) It’s hard to know where to start
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- 20. 20 POLL Which type ofboard training would be most valuable for your organization right now? (a) Understanding AI & how it could support our mission (b) Identifying and managing tech risks (like cybersecurity or data privacy) (c) Evaluating and prioritizing digital investments (d) Building overall tech fluency and confidence among board members
- 21. TWO WAYS TOUPLEVEL YOUR BOARD ENGAGE YOUR CURRENT BOARD The Tech 28: 28 Strategic Technology Questions for Boards Standing up a Tech Governance Committee: Get your tech committee functional in 4 quarters AI Adoption + Policy: A 3-month action plan for AI & Tech Governance ADD A TECH LEADER Complete our intake form to help identify the right tech leader profile for your needs. LINK: https://app.board.dev/signup LINK: https://shorturl.at/2wfP6 LINK: https://shorturl.at/BvgUv LINK: https://shorturl.at/PY6Qw
- 22. © BoardDev 2025 ●Learn more about Team4Tech’s work at team4tech.org ● Education-focused NGOs can join our Community of Practice LINKS: ○ community.team4tech.org ○ AI-for-education.org Follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X @team4tech Resources from Team4Tech
- 23. 23 © TechSoupGlobal. All Rights Reserved. TechSoup Resources Access Learning Resources: ● Join our webinars to learn more about topics that are impactful to your technology decisions. ● Explore our key AI trainings, tips, tools, and guides at our Digital Skills Center. Explore our Marketplace of offers to see the technology solutions that may be available to your organization Get additional technology support, help, and advice through our TechSoup Services or our Membership programs.