The Growing Pains of Family Businesses

“Business is easy. Family business is hard,” says Charlie Bitzer, chair and CEO of ABARTA. Therelationships and dynamics within family-owned companies present distinct challenges for theirboards.In this episode, Bitzer talks with NACD senior member engagement advisor Kait Armstrong aboutthe governance of family-owned businesses. They discuss the difficulties of generational transitions,the importance of aligning culture between the board and the family, and how independentdirectors can engage family leaders in tough conversations.Host: Kait Armstrong, NACD senior member engagement advisorGuest: Charlie Bitzer, chair and CEO of ABARTA Related NACD Resources:   “Steering a Family Business Through Ownership Transitions” “How Family Businesses Actually Make Governance Work” Director Essentials: Family Business Boards and Family DynamicsVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

Culture is often described as the “operating system” of an organization. But what roledoes culture play in the boardroom, and how does it shape the way boards makedecisions?In this episode, Beth Albright, president and CEO of Saidia and a director on the boardof the NACD Philadelphia chapter, speaks with NACD advisor Susan Paley. Together,they explore why board culture matters. They also discuss the board chair’s role inmanaging dominant voices, how structured onboarding and “board buddies” helpreinforce cultural norms, and why even informal moments outside the boardroom canstrengthen governance.Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisor Guest: Beth Albright, NACD.DC®, president and CEO, Saidia; director, NACDPhiladelphia ChapterRelated NACD Resources:  “Championing a Culture of Innovation”Report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Culture as the Foundation: Building a High-Performance Board“Starting the Dialogue on Board Culture: A Discussion Guide”Visit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

For CEOs, a board’s support can make all the difference. But knowing what kind ofsupport to ask for isn’t always obvious.In this episode, Wayne Peacock, vice chair of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and theformer CEO of USAA, and Dona Young, a director on the boards of USAA, NACD, andSpahn & Rose, spoke with NACD director of governance content Mallory Bucher.Peacock and Young are cochairs of the NACD 2025 Blue Ribbon Commission. Peacockand Young are cochairs of the NACD 2025 Blue Ribbon Commission. Together, theydiscuss how boards can work with CEOs to create the conditions where both partiescan thrive. They also explore the ways directors can provide guidance withoutmicromanaging and why transparency is central to a high-functioning board-CEOrelationship.Host: Mallory Bucher, director of governance content, NACDGuests: Dona Young, NACD.DC®, director, USAA, NACD, Spahn &; Rose; cochair,NACD 2025 Blue Ribbon CommissionWayne Peacock, vice chair, Elizabeth Dole Foundation; former CEO, USAA; cochair,NACD 2025 Blue Ribbon CommissionRelated NACD Resources:  Building a High-Trust Board-CEO Relationship“Beyond the Appointment: Communicate CEO Transitions for Long-TermSuccess”“The Evolution of the C-Suite and Its Impact on Board Dynamics”Visit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

Boards have high expectations for CEOs, but what do directors truly want beyond the numbers and reports?In this episode, Wayne Peacock, vice chair of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the former CEO of USAA, and Dona Young, a director on the boards of USAA, NACD, and Spahn & Rose, spoke with NACD director of governance content Mallory Bucher. Peacock and Young are cochairs of the NACD 2025 Blue Ribbon Commission. Together, they unpack what directors expect from CEOs. They also discuss how to establish trust early and maintain it through disagreement and disruption, and why steady leadership and transparency matter most when the stakes are high.Host: Mallory Bucher, director of governance content, NACDGuests: Dona Young, NACD.DC®, director, USAA, NACD, Spahn & Rose; cochair, NACD 2025 Blue Ribbon CommissionWayne Peacock, vice chair, Elizabeth Dole Foundation; former CEO, USAA; cochair, NACD 2025 Blue Ribbon CommissionRelated NACD Resources:  Building a High-Trust Board-CEO Relationship“Making CEO Succession Plans Stick”“A Director’s Responsibility to the CEO”Visit nacdonline.org for further research and information. 

For some directors, networking may feel like a chore. But it can be one of the mostvaluable practices for deepening governance insights and staying current in theboardroom.In this episode, Katrinka McCallum, a director on the boards of ACI Worldwide andIntrusion, and NACD advisor Susan Paley explore the value of board networks. Theyalso discuss practical strategies for making networking purposeful rather thantransactional, ways to balance time and resources, and how a network evolves over thearc of a director’s board career.Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisorGuest: Katrinka McCallum, NACD.DC, director, ACI Worldwide and IntrusionRelated NACD Resources:  “You Joined a Board. Now What?” NACD ChaptersVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

Building governance from the ground up at early-stage companies is Jack Lazar’s specialty—and his favorite kind of challenge.In this episode, Lazar and NACD advisor Susan Paley explore Lazar’s extensive Silicon Valley career. They also discuss the nuances of private company board service, what it takes to work with visionary founders, and why effective governance always comes back to people and relationships.Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisor Guest: Jack Lazar, 2025 NACD Directorship 100™ Private Company Director of the Year and a director at Astera Labs, Box, GlobalFoundries, Resideo Technologies, and Tonal SystemsRelated NACD Resources:The Growth Catalyzer: Jack Lazar (link TK)Building a Board for Start-Up SuccessDocumenting Governance (Boardroom Tool)Visit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

How do investors assess the quality of boards? To start, they look for well-defined and transparent director roles and responsibilities, says Aeisha Mastagni, a CalSTRS senior portfolio manager.In this episode, Mastagni and NACD’s Marcel Bucsescu look at the investor’s perspective on board effectiveness. They explore the importance of clear disclosures, board quality red flags, and the ways in which Mastagni and other investors interact with and influence boards.Host: Marcel Bucsescu, NACD vice president of strategic engagementGuest: Aeisha Mastagni, senior portfolio manager in the Sustainable Investment and Stewardship Strategies unit, California State Teachers’ Retirement System; chair, Council of Institutional Investors; chair, Golden 1 Credit UnionRelated NACD Resources:Building Long-Term Value: Insights from Leading InvestorsThe Importance of Investor Relations to the BoardVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

Boards don’t always need a well-known, “rock star” chair; sometimes, individuals who simply possess strong leadership qualities are more successful in the role. In this episode, board member Virginia Gambale and NACD advisor Susan Paley explore the role of independent chairs. They discuss the difference between board leaders and other board members, the relationships to prioritize in the role, and the qualities of effective chairs.Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisorGuest: Virginia Gambale, chair, Nutanix; board member, Consumer Edge, Evertec, Virtu Financial, and 10x Banking Technology; managing partner, Azimuth PartnersRelated NACD Resources:Director Essentials: Board Leadership StructuresDirector Essentials: Succession Planning for Board and Committee LeadersVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

An executive coach is not typically an advisor, a problem solver, or a performance corrector. Rather, a coach is someone who helps with self-discovery, Dawn Zier says.In this episode, Zier, an executive leadership coach and board member, and NACD advisor Susan Paley discuss the role of coaches in the governance ecosystem. They explore when and why a CEO or C-suite coach may be necessary or desired; why this is a positive thing for executive leadership, the board, and the company; and the board’s role in establishing and supporting the success of a CEO-coach relationship.Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisorGuest: Dawn Zier, executive leadership coach, The ExCo Group; chair, Hain Celestial Group; board member, Acorns and Prestige Consumer Healthcare; former CEO, NutrisystemRelated NACD Resources:Making CEO Succession Plans StickSurvey Analysis: Board-CEO RelationshipVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

It can feel impossible to distinguish between reality and hype when it comes to new technologies. But that’s exactly what strategic boards are doing, says Grant Thornton’s Adam Bowen.In this episode, Bowen and NACD’s Dylan Sandlin discuss the board’s role in tying digital transformation to strategy, how technology executives can work with the board, and how directors can stay current on new technologies.Host: Dylan Sandlin, program manager of digital and cybersecurity content at NACDGuest: Adam Bowen, managing director in the Business Consulting practice at Grant Thornton Advisors LLCGrant Thornton is a NACD sponsor, providing directors with critical and timely information, and perspectives. Grant Thornton is a financial supporter of the NACD.Related NACD Resources:“A Guide to Energizing Technology Governance”The 2024 NACD Blue Ribbon Commission report: Technology Leadership in the BoardroomVisit nacdonline.org for further research and information.