Board Membership: A Role to Master, Not to Wing
In Romania, the role of a board member has long been associated with prestige and an impressive career track. But beyond titles and recognition, board membership demands strategic thinking, independent judgment, and a deep sense of responsibility—qualities that can’t be acquired by chance. For the first time in Romania, these expectations have a formal educational framework. Envisia – Business School and the Romanian-American University have launched the postgraduate program “Corporate Governance that Creates Value”, accredited by the Ministry of Education and the National Authority for Qualifications. This program is designed for those who hold or aspire to real governance roles—members of boards of directors, executive leaders, and governance professionals.
The announcement was made during an episode of Academia de Guvernanță, a project developed by Envisia – Boards of Elite in partnership with Profit.ro, which brings thought leaders and governance experts together to discuss the evolving challenges of boardrooms. “It’s become common to think anyone can be a board member. But nowhere in the world has there been a program that truly professionalizes this role—until now,” says Carmen Micu, CEO and co-founder of Envisia. Boards are where an organization’s future is shaped, where complex decisions about risks, ethics, and strategy are made. That’s why even extensive professional experience isn’t enough on its own. Board membership isn’t an executive role—it’s a transversal one that demands a systems-level understanding of the organization, the market, and the legal and moral responsibilities at stake.
The new accredited program offers exactly that: a structured, recognized approach to board-level education grounded in the realities of both Romanian and international boards. “Postgraduate programs are the natural answer for leaders who don’t have the time for a classic two-year master’s degree. Flexible, focused, and immediately applicable—this is the future of executive education,” says Costel Negricea, Rector of the Romanian-American University.
The program is built around three essential pillars: independent thinking, professional integrity, and critical thinking. As Carmen Micu notes, independence of thought is perhaps the hardest skill to cultivate and the most crucial for effective governance. It’s what distinguishes a symbolic board member from a true professional. Professional integrity, meanwhile, is the foundation for any strategic decision—especially in high-stakes environments. And critical thinking enables board members to navigate the complexity of today’s business world with discernment and confidence.
What sets this program apart is its combination of academic rigor and real-world practice. Spanning 50 hours over 3.5 months, it includes up-to-date curricula built on applied research with Romanian boards, case studies aligned with OECD principles, and direct interaction with experienced board members. Participants join a thriving community of over 300 governance professionals, tapping into a rich network of peer learning and shared opportunities.
The launch of this program comes at a strategic moment for Romania, as the country moves closer to joining the OECD. One of the core requirements for membership is strengthening corporate governance—making this an ideal time to create an educational environment that validates knowledge and implements thinking systems aligned with OECD principles and modern governance codes.
As Carmen Micu puts it, “The program’s accreditation is a defining moment for expanding academic offerings into crucial leadership areas—and it directly addresses a real need in the socio-economic landscape.” With “Corporate Governance that Creates Value,” Envisia and the Romanian-American University are helping build a new generation of board members who are prepared to create impact and navigate the challenges of modern governance—locally and internationally.
Follow the entire dialogue HERE.
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