What really drives board member selection today — formal criteria, track record, personal reputation, or something less visible?
BMI Board Network invites you to an interactive panel discussion that takes a behind-the-scenes look at how board members are identified, assessed, and selected. Drawing on the practical experience of executive search and leadership advisory professionals, the discussion will explore what shareholders, private companies, and state-owned enterprises in Lithuania are truly looking for when building effective boards.
From shifting competency expectations to evolving board dynamics, the panel will focus on:
- Which competencies, experience, and leadership profiles are currently most in demand for board members
- Key trends influencing board composition, diversity, and governance priorities
- What matters most when intentionally building a board member career — both for first-time candidates and experienced board professionals
Moderator
Rytis Valūnas – Fractional General Counsel at Nexa.Watch, Board Member at BMI Executive Institute and Smiltynės perkėla, and President of the BMI Alumni Executive Club. With broad experience across corporate law, governance, and board leadership, Rytis will guide the discussion, drawing on his extensive expertise to explore what makes board candidates stand out and how leaders can strategically shape their board careers.
Speakers
- Jurgita Lemešiūtė – Managing Partner at People Link. She is an Organizational Psychologist with an MBA and over 18 years of experience leading recruitment and executive search teams across Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. She specializes in advising organizations on attracting, developing, and retaining leadership talent. Jurgita leads executive and board-level search assignments, including CEO and board appointments for companies undergoing growth, transformation, or succession. She has also completed the Board Management & Corporate Governance program at the BMI Executive Institute, in collaboration with Copenhagen Business School. Alumna of the International EMBA programme at BMI Executive Institute.
- Karina Kašalynienė – Associate Partner at AIMS Lithuania. She has more than 20 years of experience in business development, executive search and HR management in multinational and local companies. Advises clients in the search for strategic level executives and board members in Lithuania and abroad. Valued for her ability to quickly understand the specifics of the client’s business, to assess candidates with insight and to build sustainable professional relationships. Alumna of the International EMBA programme at BMI Executive Institute.
- Nijolė Kelpšaitė – Partner at Friisberg & Partners International. Nijolė has completed 350+ executive search assignments, including numerous board-level roles. Over the past five years, she has led more than 50 Supervisory Board and Management Board member selection processes. She specializes in CFO and senior finance recruitment, business continuity, and succession planning in family businesses. She is a member of the Finance/Banking and Board Member practice groups, serves as Quality & Business Ethics Manager, and is a Nomination Committee member at the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance. Nijolė is passionate about connecting people with new opportunities and building long-term, trust-based relationships.
- Dalia Petkevičienė – Partner at TRIBES Search and Co-founder of Global Lithuanian Leaders, she is an executive search and business development professional with 15+ years of experience building global expat networks and talent strategies in the Baltics. She has co-implemented Diaspora Talent Strategies for Lithuanian and Latvian governments and helps companies connect with international board members, C-level executives, and niche talent. Passionate about growing organizations through global talent communities, she focuses on linking top Baltic and Lithuanian leaders with companies seeking their expertise.
This session is designed for executives, current and aspiring board members, and professionals interested in understanding how board selection decisions are made in practice — and how to position themselves more strategically for board opportunities.
Register