C-Suite Perspectives

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, there are questions about the future of leadership, citizenship, and civic life in a country that seems increasingly polarized. How can higher education develop young people to be the citizens and leaders we need? Join David Young and guest Katherine A. Rowe, president, William & Mary, to learn about the university's role in educating American founders, why students should develop civic leadership skills, and how William & Mary encourages better arguments. For more from The Conference Board: 250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future America at 250: How Can We Move Past Political Deadlock? A Stable Democracy at 250: Trusted Elections as the Foundation

The Federal Reserve held its first meeting Wednesday since Kevin Warsh succeeded Jerome Powell as chair. What can we learn from Warsh's statements and the Fed's unanimous decision to leave rates unchanged? Join Dana M. Peterson and guest Yelena Shulyatyeva, senior US economist at The Conference Board, to hear about the potential impact of Warsh's task forces, why we're likely to see less Fed communication, and whether the Fed will prioritize inflation over the labor market. For more from The Conference Board: FOMC Decision: There's a Task Force for That June FOMC Preview: Meet the Warsh Fed: Rates on Hold, Communication in Focus What Could the Fed Look Like Under Kevin Warsh?

Companies are increasingly focused on employee performance, which is challenging but also gives CHROs and CFOs an opportunity to collaborate. How can these key functions work together to reinforce culture, drive organizational change, and influence the CEO and board? Join host Diana Scott and guests Henry Artalejo, SVP of global human resources at Griffith Foods, Matt Corker, EVP and chief financial officer at Griffith Foods, and Maria Colacurcio, CEO of Syndio. Find out what defines a people-first organization in 2026, how the CHRO-CFO partnership can drive culture and compensation conversations, and why AI transformation is an opportunity for HR to rebrand itself. This special episode was recorded on June 3 at the 2026 CHRO Summit, hosted by The Conference Board in Chicago. For more from The Conference Board: CHRO Summit: Turning Uncertainty into Growth The Conference Board to Honor S&P Global and UL Solutions at 2026 People First People First: Elevating Talent for the Future (Event)

Amid polarization and deadlock, how can people in the United States better understand the habits and responsibilities that sustain a free society? The United States has practiced the same type of government since the late 1700s, enduring through vast societal and technological changes. What are the biggest political challenges facing America as it turns 250, and how can citizens lead the country forward? Join David Young and guest Yuval Levin, director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute, to find out why today's era reminds Levin of the Gilded Age, why political leaders must embrace coalition-building, and why today's challenges are numerous but far from insurmountable. For more from The Conference Board: 250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future A Stable Democracy at 250: Trusted Elections as the Foundation Trusted Elections Are the Foundation of Economic Growth and Business Confidence

The US is still the premier investment opportunity. Marc S. Cooper of Solomon Partners explains why. This special episode was recorded on May 6 at the 2026 M&A Summit, hosted by The Conference Board in New York. After last year's strong M&A market, 2026 is being powered by corporate strategic acquisitions. What's the overall health of M&A and of the US as an investment opportunity? Join Steve Odland and guest Marc S. Cooper, chairman and CEO of Solomon Partners, to find out the state of the deals market, the challenges facing middle market private equity, and why the US remains the world's top destination. For more from The Conference Board: 2026 M&A Summit - New York Reshaping Strategy: Navigating M&A in the Next Era Deregulation Reshapes Financial Oversight

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® dipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, down from an upwardly revised 93.8 in April, continuing a downward trend for consumer confidence since late 2024. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions—retreated by 3.2 points to 121.2. The Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose by 1.0 points to 74.4. The survey period for this month's preliminary results was May 1–19, encompassing the ongoing war in the Middle East that is placing upward pressure on prices globally. Join Dana M Peterson and Alex Heil to find out what to make of the latest consumer confidence results and what's next for US energy markets. For more from The Conference Board: US Consumer Confidence Forecast for the US Economy Global Economic Outlook

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Fabienne Crisovan, group head of governance, ESG legal, and corporate law at Zurich Insurance Group, about how companies can measure the return on investment of sustainability initiatives through the lens of risk, resilience, and long-term value creation. They discuss why sustainability should be embedded into core business strategy rather than treated as a compliance exercise; how insurers assess climate and ESG risks; and the growing role of governance in building trust with investors, regulators, employees, and customers. The conversation also explores greenwashing, sustainability-related litigation, and why sustainability and profitability are increasingly interconnected. More from The Conference Board: · EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026 · AI and the New Cyber Risk Landscape: Disclosure Gaps in the S&P Europe 350 · The Sustainability Reset · Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Marion Devine, principal researcher at The Conference Board's European Human Capital Center, speaks with James Williams, head of global total rewards at Ericsson, about the realities of preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive and what it means for organizations across Europe. They discuss the opportunities and challenges of greater pay transparency, how organizations are balancing compliance with culture change, and why manager readiness will be critical to success. The conversation also explores fairness, employee trust, pay equity, and the practical complexities of implementing transparency across multiple countries and evolving local regulations. More from The Conference Board: · The Reimagined Workplace 2026 · Reimagine 2025: Human Capital Leadership in an Era of Disruption · Where to Hire: Europe 2026 · Europe's Pay Transparency Law: Companies Scramble to the Finish Line

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Martin Wiese, leader of the European Governance & Sustainability Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Dr. Márcia Balisciano, chief sustainability officer and global head of corporate responsibility at RELX, about how companies can move from sustainability ambition to measurable impact. They discuss the shift from reporting to execution, how sustainability drives financial performance, and what it takes to embed sustainability into commercial strategy and innovation. More from The Conference Board: · What's Next for ESG Legislation in Europe? · Europe 2026: Competitiveness, Clean Industrial Policy, and Industrial Reform · EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026 · Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, Sustainability Communications Expert and guest host, speaks with Manali Paranjpe, Program Director of the Governance & Sustainability Center at The Conference Board Europe, about how sustainability is being integrated into European businesses' corporate strategy. They explore a range of insights from C-suite leaders, including on recent ESG regulatory changes, resilience as a growth strategy, how the role of CSIO has evolved, and what these developments mean for the future of sustainable business in Europe. More from The Conference Board: Europe 2026: Competitiveness, Clean Industrial Policy, and Institutional Reform EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026 Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption EU ESG Regulatory Outlook Q3–Q4 2025: Navigating Simplification

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, speaks with Gillian Riley, President of The Conference Board of Canada*, about what business leaders need to know when operating in and with Canada. They discuss how CEOs are navigating heightened volatility, evolving US-Canada trade tensions, and a shifting economic landscape. The conversation explores Canada's resilience; the need for trade diversification; and the country's opportunities in energy, AI, and global finance. They also examine talent challenges, productivity gaps, and how leaders can build organizational resilience in an increasingly uncertain environment. More from The Conference Board: The Conference Board of Canada Global Economic Outlook *The Conference Board of Canada and Signal49 Research are separate, unaffiliated entities.

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Diana Scott, leader of the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Robin Erickson, head of human capital research, and Matt Maloof, human capital researcher, to discuss insights from The Reimagined Workplace 2026: Adopting AI Today, Poised for Tomorrow. They explore how organizations are assessing and accelerating AI maturity, why most remain in early stages of adoption, and what it takes to build AI fluency across the workforce. The conversation also examines the evolving balance between hybrid and onsite work; the growing importance of flexibility in total rewards; and how leaders can address talent, retention, and well-being challenges while reimagining the workplace. More from The Conference Board: The Reimagined Workplace 2026: Adopting AI Today, Poised for Tomorrow CHROs Navigating Uncertainty to Drive Growth Enhancing Employee Engagement: 5 Often-Forgotten Fundamentals Off-Site, Out of Mind? Overcoming the Downsides of Hybrid Work

What if water -- not energy or labor -- becomes your biggest business constraint? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, president and CEO of The Conference Board, sits down with Alex Heil, senior economist at The Conference Board, to examine the rising business risks tied to water scarcity. They discuss how limited freshwater supply, aging infrastructure, and inefficient use are creating new pressures on industries, and why leaders need to factor water risk into strategy and operations. More from The Conference Board: A Global Water Crisis—Mitigation and Adaption in a World of Water Shortages Till the Well Runs Dry: How Companies Can Shore Up Against Global Water Scarcity Running Dry: The US Southwest Water Crisis At the Climate Crossroads: US Corporate Commitments 10 Years After Paris Accord Rising Stakes: Climate Impacts Worsen as World Set to Miss Paris Agreement Goals