BoardVision

What worked in the past won’t always lead a company forward. To guide effective transformation, boards should be less impressed by yesterday's success. In this special explainer episode featuring NACD strategic content partner Russell Reynolds Associates, Constantine Alexandrakis explores the ways boards can enable, rather than slow, change. Guest: Constantine Alexandrakis , CEO, Russell Reynolds...

A sale or divestiture is more than a financial transaction. For the board, there’s also the strategic alignment between asset and buyer and what value can be created after a deal closes. In this episode, RSM’s Joe Goldberg and Bethany Sensenig, a member of multiple boards, talk with NACD’s Mohamed Younis. Together, they discuss the board’s role in evaluating and guiding sales and divestitures, as...

Many companies don’t have procedures for offboarding directors. So, how can boards approach a conversation that's often overdue—and uncomfortable? In this episode, Evelyn Dilsaver, a director on the board of Bailard, Health Equity, and Somnigroup International, and NACD advisor Susan Paley unpack director offboarding. They discuss what may cause a director to step down, how boards can handle depar...

Board refreshment may seem like a numbers game at some companies: years served, age reached. But curiosity, not tenure, is a key factor that determines whether a director still contributes effectively. In this episode, Evelyn Dilsaver, a director on the board of Bailard, Health Equity, and Somnigroup International, and NACD advisor Susan Paley discuss board refreshment strategies. They explore the...

Board work is year-round. Case in point: Planning for the next proxy season starts when the current annual meeting ends. In this episode, board member Anne Sheehan talks with NACD advisor Susan Paley. Together, they discuss why companies hold annual shareholder meetings. They also dive into a typical annual meeting agenda, the board’s role in reviewing proxy statements, and what a successful meeti...

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...

Physical threat actors now bypass the “let’s talk about it” stage and go straight to acting on their grievances, says cybersecurity expert and board member Ron Green. That’s why directors must take their physical security seriously. In this episode, Green talks with NACD program manager of digital and cybersecurity content Dylan Sandlin. Together, they explore physical security for board members....

As high–net-worth individuals with access to sensitive company information, board members are increasingly targeted by cyber-threat actors. Awareness of these threats—and personal vigilance—are essential to stay protected. In this episode, cybersecurity expert and board member Ron Green talks with NACD program manager of digital and cybersecurity content Dylan Sandlin. Together, they discuss perso...

“Business is easy. Family business is hard,” says Charlie Bitzer, chair and CEO of ABARTA. The relationships and dynamics within family-owned companies present distinct challenges for their boards.   In this episode, Bitzer talks with NACD senior member engagement advisor Kait Armstrong about the governance of family-owned businesses. They discuss the difficulties of generational transitions, the...

Culture is often described as the “operating system” of an organization. But what role does culture play in the boardroom, and how does it shape the way boards make decisions?    In this episode, Beth Albright, president and CEO of Saidia and a director on the board of the NACD Philadelphia chapter, speaks with NACD advisor Susan Paley. Together, they explore why board culture matters. They also d...

For CEOs, a board’s support can make all the difference. But knowing what kind of support to ask for isn’t always obvious. 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 o...

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 Bl...

For some directors, networking may feel like a chore. But it can be one of the most valuable practices for deepening governance insights and staying current in the boardroom. In this episode, Katrinka McCallum, a director on the boards of ACI Worldwide and Intrusion, and NACD advisor Susan Paley explore the value of board networks. They also discuss practical strategies for making networking purpo...

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 r...

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 wh...

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, an...

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 desire...

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 techn...

Am I as good as my board peers? Do they think I’m a fraud? If you’ve found yourself asking such questions, you may be experiencing impostor syndrome. In this episode, board member and author Keith Dorsey and NACD advisor Susan Paley discuss impostor syndrome and self-doubt in the boardroom. They define what “impostor syndrome” is, how it manifests among directors, and how to tackle it individually...

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...

When faced with disruption, companies may feel compelled to pause business plans. To the contrary, RSM tax partner Karen Galivan believes, they must continue to innovate. In this episode, Galivan speaks with NACD advisor Susan Paley about how boards and companies are handling disruption amid geopolitical uncertainty, including tariff impacts. They define what a “disruptor” is and discuss the pract...

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 se...

Service is Bob McDonald’s—and a nonprofit board’s—way of life. In this episode, McDonald and Mary Jacobson dive into McDonald’s journey from military to government to board service. They also discuss the nuances of nonprofit governance, how to approach finding nonprofit board roles, and what it takes to be an effective nonprofit director. Host: Mary T. Jacobson , senior regional director of the NA...

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 advisor Guest: Robert M. Galford , lead independent directo...

It’s one thing to be smart and curious. But to truly differentiate yourself as a leader requires processing time to look for patterns, lessons, and insights, says Adam Bryant. In this episode, Bryant and Susan Paley discuss the difficulties of and the motivations behind modern leadership, including the importance of listening, the paradoxes of leadership, and how the best leadership wisdom is also...