BoardVision

Directors are no strangers to volatility. But how can boards learn to separate signals from noise as the economic playbook they have relied on for years is rewritten? In this episode, Yolanda Daniel, a director on the boards of Leslie’s and Valtir and an experienced finance executive, and Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board, talk with NACD vice president of strategic engagement Marcel Bucsescu. Together, they discuss the forces reshaping the economy. They also explore the economic indicators directors should be watching, how boards can work with management to evaluate risk and opportunity, and what drives sound capital allocation decisions in an uncertain environment.Host: Marcel Bucsescu, NACD vice president of strategic engagementGuests: Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference BoardYolanda Daniel, director, Leslie’s and Valtir; former vice president of finance, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; former chief financial officer, Grainger CanadaRelated NACD Resources:Navigating Changing US Policy“Focusing on the Future in Uncertain Times”“How Boards Help Businesses Navigate Uncertainty”Visit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

The transition from an executive to a board career, or a portfolio lifestyle, is more than it appears; the change can be seismic, in fact.In this episode, board member Paul Williams and NACD advisor Susan Paley discuss how Williams transitioned away from his full-time career toward a portfolio lifestyle. They cover the value he finds in board service, his shift in mindset from outward achievement to inward fulfillment, and the day-to-day changes he’s experienced.Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisorGuest: Paul S. Williams, director, American Funds/Capital Group; trustee, Public Storage, George Jackson AcademyRelated NACD Resources:Redesigning Your Life: The Transition to a Portfolio LifestyleDemystifying the Path to Board ServiceVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

Under the leadership of next-gen directors, the future boardroom will be more agile, tech-enabled, and engaged, predicts board member Caroline Tsay.In this episode, Tsay and NACD advisor Susan Paley discuss the next generation of board members. They cover Tsay’s journey as both a next-gen and an experienced board member, how the current business and geopolitical environments influence director selection, and how board culture shifts when next-gen directors are in the room.Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisorGuest: Caroline Tsay, board member, The Coca-Cola Co., Morningstar; cofounder and former CEO, Compute SoftwareRelated NACD Resources:Mentoring Needs a Collective PushTwenty-First–Century Board Oversight of Talent and SuccessionVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a board member?In this episode, Rob Galford and Susan Paley examine what a typical year looks like for public company directors. They discuss board calendars, agenda setting, best practices to avoid asymmetric information, and how to improve the experience of being a board member.Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisorGuest: Robert M. Galford, lead independent director, Forrester Research; managing partner, Center for Leading OrganizationsNACD Resources:Modernizing the Boardroom: Rethinking Meetings for Real Impact (event)Director FAQ: Setting the Board Calendar and Meeting AgendasVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

Mentorship should be a two-way street, according to board member Barbara Adachi, NACD.DC.Adachi, Lori N. Mackenzie, and Raquel Suarez discuss the role of mentorship in the boardroom, including what defines an effective mentor-mentee relationship, whether and how to formalize mentorship programs, and how mentees, mentors, and the board can benefit from the engagement.Host: Raquel Suarez, NACD senior manager of diversity, equity, and inclusionGuests: Barbara Adachi, board member at Atlas Technology Solutions, Old Republic International Corp., and VSP Vision; Lori Mackenzie, cofounder of the VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab at Stanford University and advisor to August PublicNACD Resources:Board Mentorship Program Guidelines SampleNACD Blue Ribbon Commission Report, Culture as the Foundation: Building a High-Performance BoardVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

Directors should focus on purpose, not partisanship, says Bruce Haynes. Haynes, who works in crisis communications and reputation management, and board member Anne Alonzo chat with NACD advisor Susan Paley about strategies for boards to prevent controversial issues from escalating into crises and how they can facilitate effective conversations on difficult topics, especially in the context of the upcoming US election. Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisor Guests: Anne Alonzo, board member at PotlatchDeltic Corp. and Until Corp.; Bruce Haynes, senior vice president of corporate and external affairs at Charles River Laboratories NACD Resources:· Election Insights· Boardroom Diplomacy: Mastering the Art of Difficult Conversations Visit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

You’re contacted about a board opportunity. What happens next?Mary Beth Vitale, a director on multiple boards, and Chuck Gray, coleader of Egon Zehnder’s US CEO and Board Practice, join NACD’s Susan Paley to chat about what candidates can expect from the recruitment process, how to prepare for board interviews, and what role search firms play.Host: Susan PaleyGuests: Mary Beth Vitale, board member at Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) and Luna Innovations, and an NACD faculty member; Chuck Gray, coleader of Egon Zehnder’s US CEO and Board PracticeNACD resources:How to Prepare and Interview for a Private Company Board SeatDirector FAQ: Finding Your Next Board SeatVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.