The research is clear. Companies with diverse corporate boards outperform their peers. In fact, a study from MSCI found that companies with at least one woman on the board outperformed other companies of similar size by at least 5% from 2012 to 2014. Experts at the GlobeSt. Elite Women of Influence conference in July will discuss the benefits of diverse leadership and how women can snag a coveted seat on a corporate board.

Jennifer Litwak, executive director of Housing on Merit and a speaker on the Winnin a Seat on Corporate Boards panel, recommends forming relationships with the right network. "Seek out strategic personal partnerships that can provide you a valuable peer network for accessing corporate boards," she says. "For me these were Corporate Directors Forum and 50/50 Women on Boards. Corporate Directors Forum helps directors, and those who support them, build more effective boards through continuous education and peer-networking. 50/50 Women on Boards, which is the leading global education and advocacy campaign driving the movement toward gender balance and diversity on corporate boards."

Litwak will speak on the panel along with Cynthia Daly, head of underwriting and asset management of Four Springs Capital Trust, and Annalisa Barrett, senior advisor of the Board Leadership Center at KPMG LLP.