Who Is Deb McClelland?

Deb McClelland is a veteran leader in the non-profit and governance space, with decades of experience guiding boards and organizations to become more effective. She is the founder and principal of OnBOARD Training, offering workshops, online courses, and consulting in board governance and strategic planning.

Some highlights of her background:

• She served as Executive Director of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce for 19 years, during which time she worked with the board through governance transitions.

• She has been involved on national and provincial boards over more than 35 years.

• She has studied governance extensively (over 20 years) and has a reputation for making governance accessible, practical, and even (yes) fun.

• She has been recognized for her work: Executive of the Year (provincial level), and she’s a Fellow of the BC Chamber of Commerce, among other accolades.

Deb’s Governance Training: What She Offers & Her Approach

Deb’s governance training is designed to support boards, nonprofit staff, and leaders in mastering the roles, responsibilities, and dynamics that make governance effective and sustainable. Her offerings combine practical tools, real-world examples, and engaging facilitation.

Here are key elements of her training:

Core Topics & Modules
Her workshops and webinars often cover:

The Rules
Understanding the fundamentals of governance: what a board should (and should not) do, bylaws, policies, terms of reference, accountability structures.

The Strategy
How to structure the board’s year, set agendas, develop a strategic plan, and align board work with organizational goals. The Players
Board composition, recruiting directors, committee structure, performance evaluation, and director development.

She also offers more specialized sessions like “Effective Committees,” board president leadership, and deeper dives into board development.

Philosophy & Style

• Deb believes that governance, when well structured, can be fun, clear, and manageable rather than cumbersome.

• She emphasizes practical application over theory: boards should leave with actionable plans, clarity in roles, and renewed confidence.

• Her training is inclusive and designed to engage all board members, not just those already familiar with governance.