‘Strengthening the board is like strengthening the nerve centre of the organisation. A strong board can go a long way in steering the trajectory of an organisation.’

At ILSS, we believe true transformation starts at the top with vision, alignment, and courageous leadership. At the heart of this lies the board: often quiet but instrumental in shaping the future of every mission-driven organisation.

Nonprofits thrive when decisions are intentional, purpose-driven, and future-focused, when leaders feel both supported and challenged by a board that serves as a critical conscience and passionate ally. This edition of Leadership Inspired spotlights how the ILSS Centre for Board and Governance is helping in shifting how boards are seen from static oversight bodies to dynamic partners in growth. 

The cover story, Evolving Role of Boards in the Social Sector, previews findings from a landscape study on advisory boards in India. Nonprofits are increasingly creating these to complement legal boards, adding depth in strategy, branding, systems thinking, and change management.

ILSS Insights offers the ILSS experience and perspective on the critical role of effective board governance, highlighting how a dynamic partnership between organisational leaders and a well-aligned board can drive success. In Alumni Spotlight, we showcase how nonprofit leaders and corporate professionals of two social purpose organisations, Adhyayan and Foster & Forge, are reimagining board structures with greater clarity, cohesion, and effectiveness. ILSS Conversation brings insights from a recent webinar with Dr Dhir Jhingran on his leadership journey in the administrative service and subsequent transition to social entrepreneurship, as he shared important lessons on meaningful board engagement. ILSS Tips emphasises the importance of strong financial governance in nonprofits and offers suggestions to address the challenges faced in this regard.

In the Guest Column,  Tara Vachani offers honest insights from her journey with the Teach for India board, highlighting the value of early investment in strong governance, committed leadership, and trust-building processes, while author Ravishakar Iyer shares an anecdote from his book, Story Rules, to convey how good storytelling and transparency can help in effective communication with the board.

We hope that as you read, reflect, and engage with the diverse perspectives in this edition, you’ll find fresh inspiration for your own board journey rooted in purpose, courage, and the relentless pursuit of impact.