BoardWise wins IAOTB governance award

BoardWise and founder Dr. Donna Hamlin were selected as IAOTB’s Top Global Business of the Decade in Governance for 2026 and will be honored at the group’s annual gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City in December. The recognition highlights BoardWise’s work in board governance, advisory services and emerging-risk planning.

Why it matters: - The award puts BoardWise in a small group of businesses recognized for leadership, innovation, longevity, industry impact and community contribution. - The recognition signals growing attention on governance as boards face pressure from artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, ESG, geopolitical risk and succession planning. - BoardWise’s selection gives the firm a higher-profile platform with executives, directors and investors.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Businesses selected BoardWise as its Top Global Business of the Decade in Governance for 2026. - IAOTB will honor BoardWise at its Annual Awards Gala in December at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. - The honor goes to Dr. Donna Hamlin, BoardWise founder and CEO, and the company’s governance team. - IAOTB President Stephanie Cirami said the selection was an easy decision for the panel and praised BoardWise’s global impact on governance.

The details: - Dr. Donna Hamlin has more than four decades of experience in governance, strategy and organizational leadership. - BoardWise provides board evaluations, governance consulting, professional certifications, executive education, strategic partnerships and access to the Board Bona Fide registry of qualified directors. - Hamlin holds governance certification from the National Association of Corporate Directors and advanced certification in Global Governance from Harvard University. - Before BoardWise, Hamlin founded Hamlin Harkins, Ltd., an international consulting practice focused on strategy, organizational transformation, change management and human performance improvement. - Hamlin has advised Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits and emerging businesses in more than 50 countries. - BoardWise describes its team as a global think tank for governance innovation. - The team includes Nola Masterson, Dr. Fred van Eenennaam, Marilyn Nagel, Murray Cook and Jen McClure. - Masterson focuses on building balanced boards and identifying independent directors. - van Eenennaam applies an ECO-GEOpolitics framework linking environmental resources, energy, water, demographics and geopolitics to sustainability. - Nagel works on organizational culture, leadership development and ESG standards. - Cook helps boards improve communication, alignment and leadership. - McClure focuses on governance frameworks for artificial intelligence, digital transformation and innovation. - More information is available at BoardWise. - More information about the gala is available at IAOTB’s award page. - IAOTB says its membership and recognition programs are invitation-only and selective. - More information about IAOTB is available at IAOTB.

Between the lines: - The award frames governance as a strategic discipline, not just a compliance function. - BoardWise’s pitch blends traditional board advice with newer concerns around tech risk, sustainability and global instability. - The recognition also helps validate a consulting model built around board effectiveness and director quality at a time when many companies are rethinking board composition.

What's next: - BoardWise will be formally recognized at the December gala in New York City. - Hamlin is also being considered for IAOTP’s Empowered Woman Award and a feature in TIP Magazine. - The company is likely to use the award to expand visibility with boards seeking outside governance support.

The bottom line: - BoardWise’s IAOTB honor boosts its profile as a governance adviser as companies confront more complex boardroom risks and expectations.