Boards Under Pressure: Succession, Activism, and AI Risks

Only one in four governance leaders say succession planning is a top priority, even as activists press for change and many CEOs stay in their roles longer than ever.  In this episode, host Steve Odland sits down with Bonnie Gwin, Vice Chair and Global Co-Managing Partner, CEO and Board Practice, Heidrick & Struggles, and a leading voice on governance and board effectiveness.  Together, they unpack the risks of neglecting succession, explore best practices for director refreshment, and explain why agility and resilience are now must-have CEO traits. The conversation also highlights how boards are grappling with black swans, geopolitical turmoil, cybersecurity, and the uncertain governance of AI.  For more from The Conference Board:  Are Boards Effective? Here’s What OurLatest Research Says  Corporate Citizenship in Transition: Lessons from 2025  Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World 

CVS Health is striving to improve health care delivery in five key areas: cost, quality, access, experience, and equity. What changes are necessary to ensure better outcomes across the US health care system?     Join Steve Odland and guest Dr. Sree Chaguturu, executive vice president and president of healthcare delivery at CVS Health, to find out what value-based care looks like, why primary care needs subspecialties, and how CVS Health is meeting the different needs of different demographics across its portfolio.     For more from The Conference Board:  26th Annual Employee Health Care Conference  Explainer: Medicare  Major Changes to Affordable Care Act Enrollment Policies 

The Federal Reserve has come under scrutiny, including uncertainty over whether the President can remove Fed governors — and under what circumstances. What does it mean to call the Federal Reserve “independent,” and how does that work in practice?      Join Steve Odland and guest Yelena Shulyatyeva, senior US Economist for The Conference Board Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out about the Federal Reserve’s origins, who selects Fed governors and regional presidents, and why the Fed’s independence matters to the economy.     For more from The Conference Board:  The Conference Board Economic Forecast for the US Economy  Executive Order Seeks to Address Alleged Political Bias In Bank Access  Stablecoin Law Represents New Era for Crypto 

Every month, Americans – both consumers and businesses -- turn to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to understand the health of the US economy and what to expect next. How can businesses and Congress support and improve the work of this agency?      Join Steve Odland and guest Erica Groshen, former commissioner of BLS from 2013 to 2017, to find out how BLS conducts surveys, how monthly revisions work, and what's limiting the agency from being even more effective.     For more from The Conference Board:  The Conference Board Employment Trends Index™ (ETI)  Responding to US Labor Shortages  Policy Alert: Executive Orders to Strengthen the Current and Future Workforce 

Electricity demand is expected to increase 25% by 2050. How can renewable energy sources in the US help fill the gap?   Renewables will soon produce 25% of US electricity generation, and they've already surpassed coal as a share of output. How can renewables continue to meet the growing demand for energy, and what can we expect from emerging sources such as geothermal and fusion?   Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, senior economist at The Conference Board, to find out why US energy usage is projected to increase, what's next for nuclear, solar, and wind, and why further efficiencies can be found by upgrading today’s grid.   For more from The Conference Board: ·       Endless Power Revisited: Recent Fusion Energy Breakthroughs & Near-Term Outlook ·       Blown Away: Overcoming Variability in Wind Power Key to a Decarbonized Grid ·       Under Ground: Geothermal Electricity’s Potential as a Supplemental Power Source

Consumer confidence mostly held steady in August – what's driving people’s current mood and spending habits?  The latest update from The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® shows a slight dip in August, with the index slipping to 97.4 from July’s 98.7. Both the Present Situation Index and the Expectations Index fell, with expectations remaining below the recession-warning threshold of 80.  Join Dana Peterson, Center Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, and Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist, Global Indicators, The Conference Board, as they discuss:  Why tariffs and inflation remain top-of-mind for consumers;  How resumption of interest on student loans is impacting consumer credit and spending habits; and  The resiliency of cash payments and who’s using buy-now-pay-later options.  More from The Conference Board:  Consumer Confidence Index  Will E-Wallets and Deferred Payments Overtake Cash and Credit Cards?  Pre-Aug 1 Tariff Buying Likely Boosted July Retail Sales 

How successful has the US been with tariffs, and what other aspects of trade could be negotiated next?   The US is inching closer toward certainty on tariffs, but China, India, Canada, and Mexico are key markets with unanswered questions. How can business leaders prepare for further changes in tariffs, trade politics, and import-export controls?   Join Steve Odland and guest Erin McLaughlin, senior economist in The Conference Board Economy, Strategy and Finance (ESF) Center, to find out what tariff deals have been struck, how consumer spending and inflation might fare in the coming months, and which non-tariff aspects of trade could be negotiated down the line.   For more from The Conference Board: ·       The Conference Board's Tariff Tracker ·       Buried Leverage: Will Critical Minerals Remain Available and Affordable? ·       Have Tariffs and Price Concerns Reduced the Appeal of Product Country of Origin?

Doing business in China increasingly requires an entirely different approach to supply chain, IT, government relations, and innovation. How can multinational companies operating in China evaluate the risks and opportunities—including gray swans and even black swans?     Join Steve Odland and guest David Hoffman, China Center Leader and senior advisor for Asia at The Conference Board, to explore the difference between “complicated” and “complex,” how to win in down market operating conditions, and why managing geopolitical risks requires both the local operation and your global headquarters.     For more from The Conference Board:  China’s Investment Paradox  China Economy Watch July 2025  China CEO Council 

The average credit decision at Synchrony relies on 9,000 pieces of data. How does the company use all this information to expand credit access while giving consumers the right amount of credit at the right time?     Join Steve Odland and guest Brian Wenzel, chief financial officer at Synchrony, to find out how the company is improving financial literacy, how Synchrony uses machine learning, AI, and other technologies to improve its offerings, and how it reset its culture through active listening and transparency.     For more from The Conference Board:  Employee Well-Being Event  The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI)  Regulators Reportedly Considering Easing Some Capital Standards for Large Banks 

Find out how FIS is staying on the cutting edge of technology while serving clients and communities.   FIS processes more than 10% of the global economy and handles $16 trillion in assets annually. How does the company simultaneously safeguard data, pursue innovation, and serve its communities?   Join David Young and guest Stephanie Ferris, CEO and president of FIS, to learn about Ferris' journey to the corner office, three ways Ferris and FIS are exploring generative AI, and how the company supports communities across 64 countries. The Leadership in Challenging Times discussions feature timely and insightful discussions with the outstanding CEOs who are recipients of CED’s Distinguished Leadership Awards. Business leader honorees discuss the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate.   For more from The Conference Board: ·       CED Announces Recipients of Its 2025 Distinguished Leadership Awards ·       CED Distinguished Leadership Awards Celebration ·       What Should Corporate Philanthropy Look Like in 2025?