Governing board professionals, described in The Chronicle of Higher Education as "a pocket of power advising both the board and the administration," (Jesse, 2023, para. 3) are charged with ensuring governing boards meet their fiduciary obligations and operate effectively. Despite the role's growing recognition as a "linchpin job" at the center of governance in higher education (Jesse, 2023), little is known about the role of governing board professionals and their influence on governing boards. This basic qualitative study examines perceptions of governing board professionals at independent, nonprofit institutions of higher education using a combined theoretical framework of organizational role theory (Kahn et al., 1964), stewardship theory (L. Donaldson & Davis, 1991), and stakeholder theory (Freeman, 1984). Over the course of twelve interviews with governing board professionals in senior level positions at four-year independent, nonprofit institutions across the United States, three main themes characterized the nature of governing board professionals' role and influence. First, board professionals manage the operations and logistics--activities, processes, and protocols at the core of day-to-day functions--of board governance that collectively enable the board to fulfill its fiduciary duties. Secondly, board professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring that boards are effective in shaping the institution's long-term future. Finally, board professionals navigate the complex landscape of relationships to facilitate effective board governance, nurturing essential connections with various key stakeholders and serving as facilitators of trustees' relationships with one another and with various constituent groups on behalf of the board. Findings from this study reveal that governing board professionals perceive their role as instrumental to effective governance of higher education institutions. This research provides a new perspective characterizing the institutional loyalty, dedication, and service-oriented ethos of these professionals and contributes to a deeper understanding of influencers shaping the governance landscape. These insights illuminate the significance of governing board professionals within the governance ecosystem, underscoring their pivotal role in steering institutions toward success in a complex and ever-evolving educational landscape. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]