When asked to describe Josh Bekenstein, this year’s recipient of NACD’s Annual Nonprofit Company Director of the Year Award, a fellow board member described him as “the full Monty.” The managing director at Bain Capital serves on the board of directors of Horizons for Homeless Children, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, New Profit and New Leaders for New Schools.
The NACD Director of the Year winners are nominated by peers, including board members who belong to NACD and local NACD chapters. Nominees are evaluated by an independent selection committee according to their proven ability to strengthen board leadership aligned with the NACD Key Agreed Principles set forth in NACD’s “Leading the Way” initiative, a national effort representing areas where the board, executive management and shareholder groups agree on benchmarks of good governance. The principles are a framework advocating leading practices in areas including risk oversight, corporate strategy, compensation and transparency.
Bekenstein believes strongly in the transformative potential of the nonprofit sector and in his own capabilities to help people. His relentless commitment to others has been an inspiration to his peers as underscored by the testimonial letters written by fellow board members who nominated him for this year’s award. Bekenstein was lauded as a valuable contributor to boardroom decisions, constantly challenging thinking and analysis, but always respecting the final direction of the board. Vanessa Kirsch of New Profit describes Bekenstein as the “North Star for so many social entrepreneurs—helping leaders to clearly see the course ahead for change and impact.”