The percentage of women who hold the top jobs at technology companies has stopped rising, and women's share of new bachelor's degrees in computer science has dropped ominously over the years. That means the talent pool of tech-smart female board members is shrinking too.
Only a special CEO encourages his board members to talk to top managers when he's not around. That makes Advance Medical Optics' Jim Mazzo very special: He insists on it.
The country has its own drummer, and keeping pace can be a challenge for foreign companies. But if you watch out for the pitfalls, it's well worth the effort.
Harried as board members' schedules can be, there is life outside the business world. Here's a sampling of the hobbies some directors pursue.