Christine Bassarab, PhD

Organizational Psychologist

Contact

Christine Bassarab, PhD
Organizational Psychologist
Board Effectiveness Consultant

Board First Consulting, LLC San Francisco Bay Area, CA
christine@boardfirstconsulting.com
boardfirstconsulting.com

Purpose

I believe boards play a critical role in providing CEOs and their executive teams with robust, independent perspectives that enable the organization to thrive. I am passionate about discovering the unique capabilities of each CEO and board and partnering with them to enhance their governance practices and effectively steward the organizations they serve.

Expertise

I have decades of designing and implementing assessments at the individual, team, and organizational level to gain deep insights into how to build and/or accelerate high performance. As part of this, I have mentored and coached senior executives to maximize their contributions as a leader. My expertise includes corporate governance, strategy planning, organization design, mergers & acquisitions, and building resilient teams that drive innovation in highly competitive environments.

I have had an eclectic career working in a variety of leadership roles in financial services, technology, consulting, commercial real estate development, and retail. My exposure to a broad cross-section of industries and organizations has honed my problem-solving and listening skills to promote a deep understanding of my clients’ needs and concerns. This approach remains at the forefront of all my client engagements.

Experience

I have thirty years of experience designing strategies that enable boards and executive teams to successfully navigate complex change, optimize their decision-making, and build enduring value for their organizations, stakeholders, and communities.

Boards

Women in Identity (Director & Secretary) – A global non-profit promoting diversity and inclusion in the development of digital identity products and services.

Personal

I live in the San Francisco Bay area and enjoy open-water rowing, road cycling, painting, and travel. I am an avid reader and am intensely curious about new academic research that can be applied to building high performing boards.

Education

PhD, Organizational Psychology
California School of Professional Psychology San Francisco, CA
BA, Biology
Emory University