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Tokunboh Ishmael

Consolidating Influence in Any Boardroom

Tokunboh Ishmael’s Journey to Chartered Director

Tokunboh Ishmael’s journey toward achieving the prestigious Chartered Director (CDir) qualification was not just an academic pursuit but a critical step in reinforcing her ability to navigate the complex dynamics of board leadership. Despite her extensive experience serving on various boards and committees, Ishmael sought a deeper understanding of governance and a formal framework to bolster her confidence in decision-making and governance processes.

“Completing the journey toward the Chartered Director qualification has been immensely valuable. It strengthened my conviction in the importance of governance, and it equipped me with the language and frameworks needed to be a more effective board director and chair,” Ishmael reflects.

Ishmael’s role as a director often put her in the position of challenging management on governance issues within portfolio companies, an aspect of her role she intuitively understood as essential. However, this instinctive push for governance did not always sit well with others. On one occasion, she had to stand her ground against a board chair and fellow directors to ensure proper governance processes were followed—a daunting and isolating experience.

It was lonely and hard," she recalls. "In some cases, even my fellow directors resisted, making it difficult to advocate for good governance practices.

Recognising the need for professional development to support her through these challenges, Ishmael chose to pursue the Chartered Director designation. She sought more than the initial company direction certificate she received through Open Doors and followed it up with the Diploma in Company Direction. The CDir offered her advanced insights into governance, decision-making, and boardroom dynamics, giving her the tools she needed to consolidate her influence in any boardroom.


Today, Ishmael’s CDir qualification not only validates her expertise but also empowers her to navigate difficult governance scenarios with the confidence that comes from a deep and structured understanding of the role of a director. Her journey underscores the importance of continuous learning and formal qualifications for even the most experienced board members.