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...

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...

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 se...

There’s one major rule for executives to lay a strong foundation with the board: no surprises, says board and C-suite member Peggy Foran. Foran and NACD advisor Susan Paley discuss the who, what, when, where, why, and how of executive engagement with the board, including what boards expect from executives, how executives can effectively prepare for board and committee meetings, and the key element...

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 th...

Why should global governance trends matter to US boards? Board member Mary McDowell and Russell Reynolds’s Rich Fields join NACD’s Friso van der Oord to discuss the themes dominating boardrooms around the world and how US governance compares to governance in other countries, with a close look at the United Kingdom. Host: Friso van der Oord , NACD senior vice president of content Guests: Mary McDow...

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 Paley Guests: Mary Beth Vitale , board me...