Fireside cohorts
Curated conversations across industries and functions. Guest names, dates and rosters stay private until approved.
A Christian & Timbers Initiative
Project AlphaBoard Readiness and Development
An invitation-led Christian & Timbers initiative for senior executives preparing for their first, next or strategically important board role.
Clarify where your experience can contribute, strengthen your board judgment and build relationships with executives and directors who bring a different perspective.
A starting point and a path forward
We begin with your experience, the decisions you’ve made and the boards where you could add value. Your workbook and strategy discussion help us develop your board positioning, materials and priorities.
From there, the work continues through relevant learning and practical discussion. We’re expanding Alpha to bring together curated fireside cohorts, in-person mock board pilots and smaller peer groups as participants progress.
Participation is by invitation.
Designed for
- 01
Chief executives and presidents
- 02
Leaders of a significant P&L or operating unit
- 03
Senior functional executives with enterprise-level responsibility
- 04
Executives holding a first advisory or fiduciary seat who intend to build a portfolio
- 05
Executives preparing for a transition into portfolio work
What you receive
- 01
Board readiness assessment
A direct view of where your candidacy stands today.
- 02
Board appointment thesis
The board-level problem you are equipped to help an organisation solve.
- 03
Target board profile
The ownership environments, sectors, stages, and geographies that fit your experience.
- 04
First-seat strategy
A realistic route to a credible first or next appointment.
- 05
Board positioning
The language, evidence, and biography inputs that carry your candidacy.
- 06
Development priorities
What to strengthen and in what order.
- 07
Recommended next steps
The actions worth taking over the next 90 days and the next 12 months.
How it fits together
From board positioning to later peer groups
Board positioning → preparation → fireside discussion → mock board → later peer groups and individual review. Timing and invitations depend on the participant’s stage, interests and availability. The team will agree the next step with each person.
- 01
Board positioning
Workbook, strategy discussion, materials and priorities.
- 02
Preparation
Selected learning to support the decisions discussed in session.
- 03
Fireside discussion
Small groups with experienced directors, mixing industries and functions.
- 04
Mock board
Planned in-person pilots working from a fictional board pack.
- 05
Peer groups & review
Later groups of three or four, then individual review.
Planned expansion
Learning with people who see the decision differently
Fireside conversations bring small groups of executives together with experienced directors. Cohorts are built to mix industries and functions, so participants can hear how others approach capital, growth, technology, people and risk. The first discussions focus on the move from operator to director.
Mock board pilots
Working from a fictional board pack, participants will challenge assumptions, respond to new information and reach a decision together, followed by feedback.
Later peer groups
Three or four participants around relevant board situations and routes into the market — scenario discussion, positioning feedback and practical next steps.
Preparation that supports the conversation
Selected governance and AI resources will help participants prepare for the decisions discussed in the sessions. Learning is tailored to experience and development priorities, with opportunities to apply it and receive feedback in the participant portal.
Senior advisory
Board Strategy Led by Senior Christian & Timbers Advisors
Project Alpha combines a structured board readiness process with direct strategic advisory from Christian & Timbers. Each strategy review considers the executive’s operating background, leadership experience, governance relevance and board ambitions to help clarify where their experience may have the strongest relevance in the market.
Max Lamontel
Managing Partner, Global Aerospace & Defense
Max leads Christian & Timbers’ Global Aerospace & Defense practice, working with boards, CEOs, investors and senior executives across aerospace, defense, technology and adjacent markets.
Within Project Alpha, Max works directly with participating executives to help translate their operating experience into a clear board contribution thesis, identify the board environments where that experience may be most relevant, and develop a practical positioning and market strategy around their board ambitions.
Board Contribution Thesis
Clarify the operating experiences, leadership capabilities and governance perspectives that create the strongest foundation for board service.
Board Positioning
Define how the executive’s background should be articulated to boards, investors, CEOs and nominating committees.
Target Board Environments
Identify the ownership structures, company stages, sectors and board situations where the executive’s experience may carry the greatest relevance.
Market Strategy
Translate the board thesis into practical priorities for positioning, relationship development and market engagement.
After you submit
- 01
Confirmation
We acknowledge receipt within one business day.
- 02
Review
The Project Alpha team reviews your responses and supporting documents.
- 03
Strategy review
A confidential discussion of your aspirations, positioning, and pathway.
- 04
Materials
Delivery of your assessment, thesis, target profile, and development priorities.
Time needed
The workbook takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Your answers save as you go. Return as often as you need before submitting.
Curation statement
Participation supports preparation and relationships. Board appointments and introductions remain individually considered and are not guaranteed.
Project Alpha is a board readiness, positioning, and relationship development initiative. Any future introduction remains subject to readiness, fit, market demand, conflicts, client requirements, and the discretion of the relevant organisation.
Your information
Christian & Timbers collects your responses, supporting documents, learning submissions and feedback to prepare your confidential Project Alpha assessment, strategy review and programme participation. Access is restricted to the Project Alpha team.
We share nothing with clients, third parties, or any external organisation without your authorisation. Peer-group introductions and shared worksheets, if offered later, appear only after you agree what may be shared. Records are held for 24 months from your last activity and deleted on request.
Read the full privacy notice. Questions: projectalpha@christian-timbers.com
Contact
- ProgrammeProject Alpha, Christian & Timbers
- Emailprojectalpha@christian-timbers.com
- Telephone415-622-3193
Joining and returning
Access your workbook
Project Alpha is by invitation. If you’ve received an invitation, use your workbook access details below. Returning participants can sign in to their existing account. To discuss participation, contact projectalpha@christian-timbers.com.
Portal — sign in to the participant workspace.