BOARD EFFECTIVENESS. PRIVATE COMPANY GOVERNANCE. RAPID RESULTS.
Stronger boards. Better decisions. Faster results.
Let's Talk About Your Board
I help private company boards govern with confidence because I serve on them too. As an independent director and committee chair, I bring the perspective of someone in the boardroom today.
Not just advising from the outside
Private company boards face real pressure: succession, risk, ownership transitions, compensation & talent, and growth, often with limited time and no playbook. KM Leadership Solutions helps boards of family-owned, employee-owned, and closely held companies sharpen their governance, strengthen how directors work together, and make better decisions faster.
We help clients with:
- Board Effectiveness: evaluations, governance refreshes, committee structure, director onboarding, and facilitating board retreats.
- Private Company & ESOP Governance: governance for family-owned and employee-owned companies, including board independence, oversight, and ownerhips transitions.
- Mergers & Acquisitions: due diligence and post-merger Integration with a board-level risk lens.
- Business Transformation: rapid, practical change leadership for organizations and boards.
- Executive Coaching: confidential coaching for leaders from VP to the C-suite.
Why choose us?
- In the boardroom today: I currently serve on three private company boards as an independent director and committee chair, so my advice is tested in real boardrooms like yours.
- Governance expertise for private companies: I hold the Private Company Governance and ESOP Governance certificates from the Private Directors Association, and I chair its National Research and Standards Committee.
- Proven board leadership: As Board Chir of the American Red Cross Arizona Chapter, I led a full board renewal, CEO evaluation and selection, and governance overhaul at one of the largest chapters in the country.
- Decision-ready and rapid.
Boards need clear information and timely action. We work side by side with you through the change.
Board Governance - Board Effectiveness– Business Transformation
Better boards deliver better business results.
I've spent more than 20 years serving on and advising boards, from a national nonprofit chapter I chaired to the private company boards I serve on today. I help directors and CEOs build boards that are engaged, accountable, and focused on what matters.
My mission is to turn uncertainty and chaos into focused achievement.
- Karen K. Mildenhall, President/CEO
KM Leadership Solutions clients come in all shapes and sizes ($5M to $15B.) Industries we serve include:
- Commercial Banks
- Wealth Advisory & Management
- Global Financial Services
- Insurance Brokers & Agents
- Architects, Engineering & Consultants
- Commercial Real Estate
- Advertising & Marketing Agencies
- Construction Companies
- Technology
- Manufacturing
- Professional Services
- Not-for-Profits
“Coaching that delivers immediate results.”
“Working with Karen accelerated my professional development enabling me to connect with an audience more effective manner, whether with an individual or a room full of people.”
Senior Director, Global Financial Services
“Brilliant”
“Her workshop was thoroughly engaging with storytelling, influence strategies, and proven techniques. This is exactly what the participants needed to hear to become change agents in their own organizations.”
Lisa Estrada
Faculty Associate, ASU School of Sustainability City of Peoria, Economic Efficiency & Sustainability Manager
“Moved us light-years in 4 hours.”
“Karen is the consummate professional. She is prepared, thorough, collaborative, and highly adaptable. It was a pleasure to work with her, and she moved our board forward light-years in just four hours.”
Lisa Glenn Noble
Executive Director, Co+Hoots Foundation
“Tactics, techniques, and procedures.”
“You provided us with what the military calls TTPs (tactics, techniques, and procedures) on how to be a better leader today. Thank you!”
John Burges
Masters in Sustainability Leadership
Arizona State University
