Email: pqcllc@outlook.com
Phone: 610-331-3410
CONNOLLY & LUDWIG
Elevating Board Leadership for Individuals, Nonprofits, and Corporations
ANNOUNCEMENT
Next Pathway To The Boardroom
September 16, 2025
We prepare individuals for board service, strengthen nonprofit governance,
and develop corporate leaders through custom programs and assessments
All backed by decades of real-world experience.
Who We Work With
Tailored for Your Board Journey
Individuals
Prepare with Purpose.
Lead with Impact.
Accelerate your board journey with expert coaching, practical tools, and a proven roadmap. Build the confidence, skills, and strategic insight to serve—and lead—effectively in the boardroom.
Corporations
Develop Purpose-Driven Leaders Through Board Service
Empower your employees to grow as strategic leaders by serving on nonprofit boards. Strengthen your company’s commitment to community impact, leadership development, and values-driven engagement.
Nonprofits
Strengthen Your Board.
Advance Your Mission.
Elevate your board’s effectiveness with expert guidance, practical tools, and customized governance training. Partner with seasoned professionals committed to helping nonprofits lead with purpose and oversight.
CONNOLLY & LUDWIG MISSION
Connolly & Ludwig is a governance and leadership consultancy built on the belief that effective boards change organizations. Led by seasoned board directors and
governance experts, we offer hands-on, customized solutions to elevate leadership at every level — from the boardroom to the community.
A cohort-based program for executives preparing to join a board. Includes training,
recruiter insights, and personalized coaching.
Comprehensive, board-tested methodology to evaluate, educate, and strengthen
nonprofit boards.
Whether you're stepping into leadership, pursuing board service, or redefining your professional path, our coaching supports meaningful transitions with clarity and purpose.
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
Designed for companies investing in talent development and community impact. A one-
day intensive plus 1:1 coaching.
PATHWAY TO THE
BOARDROOM
Securing a seat in the boardroom demands a blend of strategic planning, professional development, networking, and leadership skills. Explore this guided pathway designed to propel you toward boardroom success.
This program is for:
Senior executives and C-suite leaders aspiring to join a board, seeking insights into board service duties and nuances.
Key Takeaways:
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Gain a comprehensive understanding of the board's role and responsibilities.
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Receive insights from leading recruiters on navigating the boardroom landscape and securing future board positions.
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Equip yourself with the tools and resources essential for progress.
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Benefit from 2 hours of personalized one-on-one career coaching/counseling to clarify your next steps.
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Learn about committee structures and governance from experienced board members.
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Offer quarterly webinars featuring current thought leaders who provide invaluable advice for today’s boardrooms
LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS
Whether you're stepping into leadership, pursuing board service, or redefining your professional path, our coaching supports meaningful transitions with clarity and purpose.
Who It's For:
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Shifting careers or industries
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Seeking executive or board roles
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Re-entering the workforce
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Launching something new
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Aiming for growth or promotion
What You’ll Gain:
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A clear strategy for what's next
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Tools to lead with impact
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Personal brand refinement
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Guidance through decision points
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Confidence to pursue bold goals
Let’s chart your course to the leadership seat you’re meant to hold.
NONPROFIT BOARD
ASSESSMENTS & GOVERNANCE TRAINING
Why Conduct a Board Assessment?
A board assessment is a crucial step in adopting leading governance practices, allowing nonprofit boards to:
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Align with the Mission: Ensure that every decision and strategy supports the organization's long-term vision. Regular assessments help keep the board focused and purpose-driven.
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Improve Financial Oversight: Strengthen financial planning to secure long-term stability by identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.
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Enhance Stakeholder Communication: Evaluate communication strategies with staff, donors, and the broader community to build trust and ensure transparency.
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Prepare for Crisis Management: Regularly review crisis management plans to ensure your board is prepared for unexpected events and minimizes potential damage.
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Foster Continuous Education: Through ongoing training and development, keep board members informed about the latest governance trends and best practices.
Partnering with Connolly & Ludwig for a board assessment will help your organization improve governance, drive mission success, and ensure long-term sustainability.
BoardReady: NONPROFIT
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Prepare. Lead. Impact.
Develop high-potential employees into strategic nonprofit board leaders through an immersive one-day cohort and personalized coaching.
Why Invest in Nonprofit Board Leadership?
Today’s nonprofit boards require more than good intentions They demand strategic thinking, governance knowledge, and strong leadership. BoardReady equips your rising leaders with the skills they need to make an impact on nonprofit boards and within your organization.
Three Quick Value Pillars
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Strategic Thinking
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Build leadership capabilities by shifting from operational to strategic mindsets.
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Governance Expertise
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Learn core nonprofit board responsibilities, fiduciary duties, and oversight skills.
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Community Impact
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Strengthen your company's community presence through prepared, confident board leaders.
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Program Highlights
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One-day, highly interactive cohort experience
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Two hours of personalized 1:1 coaching
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Small, curated cohort for maximum engagement
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Practical nonprofit governance and leadership training
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Opportunity to build a leadership pipeline aligned with your CSR goals
Tailored to Your Organization:
We offer the flexibility to create a branded private cohort exclusively for your company — or you can sponsor individual participants in an open session.
Get BoardReady.
Empower your employees to think strategically, lead effectively, and represent your company with purpose.
Whether you’re building your internal leadership pipeline or enhancing your community engagement strategy, BoardReady provides the foundation for success.
TESTIMONIALS
SHERYL AXELROD
THE AXELROD FIRM
"Patricia Connolly and Melissa Ludwig cultivated a wonderful cohort, facilitated our discussions, and engaged amazing speakers to present to us. It was a significant, substantive, and memorable day, and the coaching provided was also excellent.
I look forward to staying connected with everyone in my cohort and building our pathways to the boardroom."
LORI F. REINER
CPA
"Participating in Pathway to the Boardroom was incredibly enriching and significantly enhanced my preparedness for serving on a corporate board. The curriculum covered essential governance best practices, board search resources, and the importance of personal branding, all led by board members with real-world experience. The interactive sessions and networking opportunities with accomplished professionals were invaluable. I highly recommend this program to anyone ready for board service."
NINA COREY
C-SUITE LEADER
"Participating in the Pathway to the Boardroom program was a transformative experience. The expertise of the panelists and the opportunity to engage in small group discussions provided a realistic and immersive experience. I feel well-prepared and equipped with the necessary tools and resources to pursue a board position. The program confirmed that there's a place for everyone in the boardroom."
DONEENE K. DAMON
EXECUTIVE LEADER
"Melissa and Patti are exceptional leaders in the realm of board service and governance. Their extensive experience is evident in the program they've developed, designed to equip women executives with the education and fundamentals necessary for board roles.
Through their organization, Melissa and Patti not only impart their knowledge but also create a collaborative environment where women can learn from each other. I'm thrilled about the opportunities this initiative offers and excited for the future it holds for female executives."
AMARA BRIGGS
BERNSTEIN PRIVATE
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
"Melissa and Patti Go beyond the headlines, offering clear, practical insights into the skills and temperament Private and Public Boards seek. Their engaging sessions and personalized coaching gave me the confidence to know I have the skills to be an effective board member. This program is an invaluable investment for anyone aspiring to serve on a board."
ABOUT US
PATRICIA Q. CONNOLLY
Principal
Patricia Q. Connolly, (CGC) is a leading figure in leadership development and organizational governance. As the Principal of PQC LLC, she specializes in governance advisory services for corporate and nonprofit boards. As a certified governance consultant, Patricia's expertise includes board education, governance audits, and assessments. Formerly the Executive Director of Drexel University's Gupta Governance Institute, she played a pivotal role in establishing flagship programs on corporate governance. Patricia's early career at PNC Financial Corp and executive roles in the nonprofit sector, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, shaped her dynamic approach to leadership. Recognized as an influential thought leader, Patricia guides organizations through pivotal decisions with energy and transparency, reflecting a successful journey in leadership and governance. Patricia is a member of the International Coaching Federation Professional Coaches (ICF)
MELISSA LUDWIG
Principal
A former senior operating executive of a Fortune 500 company with direct P&L responsibility up to $600 million and leading multidisciplinary organizations ranging in size to 3,000. Melissa is an experienced public company Board Director with expertise in retail and consumer products. Melissa brings deep expertise in resolving complex corporate initiatives, forward thinking, smooth M&A integration, efficiency in supply chain and risk management. She is a leader in diversity and advancing of talent and has a record of building new capabilities, positioning businesses for responsible growth, and achieving sustained success while delivering the optimal customer experience.
With the successful sale of a Public Company Board, currently the Board Chair of Philadelphia NACD (National Organization Corporate Directors) and functioning as the CEO of the 1000 board member organization. She is also deep rooted in non-profit boards and is an active Board Member and Chair Nominating and Governance Girard College, Drexel’s Raj & Kamla Gupta Governance Institute Advisory Board, a Villanova Business Adjunct Professor, Pathway to the Boardroom speaker, devotes time advancing women’s careers, and is a trusted C-Suite career coach.
Melissa served as the youngest, first female Vice President in over 100 years to lead the iconic Herald Square 34th Street location in NYC where she steered a remarkable turnaround, brand refresh, generating greater than $600M in sales. Throughout her career, Melissa’s leadership accountability spanned the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets with direct VP-level executive teams and organizations across Operations, Merchandising, Planning, Visual, Human Resources and Asset Protection. She served as the chief market expert. Having led the business in major metropolitan markets, including the restoration and market launch of Center City location in Philadelphia. She has also cultivated a strong c-suite professional network, with longstanding relationships among the business, civic and cultural communities through her external-facing.
PREVIOUS CLIENTS
LET'S CONNECT!
We welcome your inquiry via email, phone, or the contact form below. Our team looks forward to partnering with you to develop a tailored program that equips you with the skills, insight and confidence to excel in board leadership.
Email: pqcllc@outlook.com
Phone: 610-331-3410
