On Board - by Jonathan F Foster (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For readers interested in board leadership and corporate finance, this book seamlessly blends real-world case studies with expert insights on corporate governance, leadership, and boardroom strategy, creating an essential business leadership book for CEOs, executives, board members, and corporate decision-makers.

On Board: The Modern Playbook for Corporate Governance is the ultimate guide for corporate directors, executives, governance professionals, and students navigating today's fast-evolving business landscape. Written by a seasoned corporate director, investment banker, and expert witness in corporate litigation, this essential resource delivers a historical perpective, data-driven insights and stories from inside boardrooms on board leadership, fiduciary duties, CEO issues, regulatory compliance, and governance best practices.

This playbook addresses key corporate governance challenges, including:

- CEO-board dynamics, executive oversight, and leadership effectiveness
- Mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings effectiveness
- Institutional investors' influence, proxy battles, and governance trends
- The growing impact of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives
- Crisis management, corporate risk mitigation, and regulatory adherence
Featuring exclusive interviews with top executives, corporate attorneys, investment bankers, and industry leaders, this book provides real-world case studies, strategic frameworks, and actionable guidance to enhance board effectiveness, shareholder value, and corporate success.

A must-read for board members, business leaders, governance professionals, and students, On Board is the definitive resource for mastering corporate governance, leadership, and boardroom strategy in today's complex business environment.

Review Quotes

"A must-read for any business leader or board member. As someone who has seen up-close how good governance can improve the trajectory of a company or institution, I highly recommend this insightful book. Foster not only educates the reader on the foundations and legal obligations but illuminates proper governance as a strategic asset that can drive long-term success."----Jeremy London, Executive Partner - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

"As a veteran CEO of a Fortune 500 company, I know that a board can help define strategy, strengthen operational performance, refine expectations and ensure a culture of integrity. Foster thoughtfully defines the role of directors in this vital and balanced "how to" examination of how effective boards should operate."
----Stuart Miller, Executive Chairman, Co-CEO and former CEO - Lennar

"Effective corporate governance is more essential than ever. In On Board, Foster has distilled his decades of experience into sharp insights on board dynamics, CEO relationships, and value creation. He unpacks the evolution of governance and delivers a clear roadmap for building high-performing boards in today's complex and unpredictable world. A must-read for anyone committed to excellence in board leadership."----Hubert Joly, CEO (retired) - Best Buy

"Good governance is the foundation of a great company. This playbook clearly flushes out the essence of good governance. I would recommend it to entrepreneurs, directors and public company executives alike."
----Harvey Jones, Director - Nvidia

"Having worked with Foster, I have experienced first-hand his wisdom on corporate governance, and I have seen his impact on the dozens of boards he has advised and served on over the past three decades. His book offers a valuable study on the evolution of modern corporate governance and how directors can better understand the board's role, and its performance potential, in today's dynamic world."----Jordan Brugg, CEO - Spencer Stuart

"I have served on many public company boards, and I wish I had read this book before I joined my first board. The governance principles, ideas and real-world perspective shared are excellent. It is a must read for experienced and new CEOs and Board members."----Rob Steele, Vice-Chairman (Retired) - Procter & Gamble

"In the ever-evolving world of public company leadership, having a playbook like On Board is an invaluable asset."----Rob Lynch, CEO - Shake Shack

"This fast-paced and very readable guide is a valuable addition to the Wall Street canon."----Bill Cohan, New York Times best-selling author of Power Failure

"Using real-world examples, Foster masterfully deciphers the complex matrix of corporate governance today in this astonishing overview of the governance landscape."----Melissa Sawyer, Partner, Global Head of Mergers & Acquisitions Group, and Co-Head of Corporate Governance Practice - Sullivan & Cromwell

"With his wide-ranging background in investment banking and corporate boards, Foster's book is a master class in corporate governance even for experienced directors and for everyone interested in how firms make decisions. The book offers both the lens and the focus for board success."----Glenn Hubbard, Director - Dean Emeritus and Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics at Columbia Business School, Chairman of MetLife and Former Chairman of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers

About the Author

Jonathan F. Foster is a leading expert in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and private equity investing. As the Founder and Managing Director of Current Capital Partners LLC, he brings decades of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, private firms, and businesses undergoing restructurings. Previously a Managing Director at Lazard, Jon has served on over 45 corporate boards, taking on key leadership roles such as Chair, Lead Director, and committee member for Audit, Executive, and Transaction oversight.

A highly sought-after corporate litigation expert witness, Jon has participated in 60+ legal cases, offering testimony on valuation, distressed companies, and governance issues. His insights have been featured in top financial publications, and he has been a guest lecturer at prestigious universities.

When he's not working with companies or speaking on corporate strategy, Jon enjoys life in New York City with his wife, their goldendoodle, and their two grown children.