C-Suite Perspectives

In this episode of  C-Suite Perspectives , Sara Murray, Managing Director International at The Conference Board and guest host, speaks with Alejandro Fiorito, Economist at The Conference Board Europe, about the economic impact of the war in Iran and the broader geopolitical forces influencing markets and business.   Together, they explore the outlook for global growth ;  the evolving policy respon...

Board effectiveness is rising , but so are expectations, according to the latest research.       In 2026, 41% of executives rated their boards as "excellent" or "good," the highest percentage s een by The Conference Board and PwC . What does board effectiveness look like today , and where do boards still need to improve?       Join Brian Campbell and guest s Ariane Marchis- Mouren , s enior r esea...

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, Sustainability Communications Expert and guest host, is joined by Arnaud Marqui, Chief Sustainability and Safety Officer at Tarkett, to explore how the circular economy is transforming business models and helping companies build long-term resilience.    Together, they discuss Tarkett's circular economy journey, the role of product desi...

How are US consumers feeling as summer begins — and what should business leaders know about the growing economic impact of extreme heat? In this episode of  C-Suite Perspectives , Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Alex Heil, Senior Economist. They begin by examining the latest US Consumer Confidence Survey,...

Carbon reporting  gives you data but  isn't  a strategy . How  do  businesses like DuPont  put  that  data into context so they can make better, smarter business decisions ?   J oin  Steve Odland  and guest Scott Collick, chief sustainability officer and vice president of sustainability and regulatory compliance at DuPont . Learn  how Collick defines "carbon fluency , "   why companies should swit...

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, is joined by Matei Farcas and  Konstantinos   Panitsas  of The Conference Board Europe to analyze the latest Consumer Confidence Index findings for the Euro Area.   Together, they discuss the factors shaping consumer sentiment; explore how inflation expectations, labor market concerns, a...

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 e...

This episode was recorded on June 15 as part of  the  Policy Talks series   hosted by The Conference Board.   Up to 330,000 companies could receive tariff refunds  because of  the Supreme Court ruling  that invalidated a swath of tariffs .  How can communication leaders  tell a  story  about the tariff refunds  that  builds  trust  across  stakeholders, including  employees,  customers ,  and  inv...

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   ab out  the potential impact of  Warsh's task forces ,  wh y   we're  ...

In this episode of  C-Suite Perspectives , Barbara Mendes-Jorge, Sustainability Communications Expert and guest host, speaks with Susan Stenson, Founder of Sustainable Boards  on  the gap between boards that function and boards that truly perform .   They examine how boards can prepare for geopolitical disruption, emerging technology risks, and an increasingly complex operating environment; discus...

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 finan...

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray,  M anaging  D irector,  I nternational at The Conference Board  Europe , is joined by Alejandro Fiorito,  E conomist at The Conference Board Europe, to unpack the latest results from the  Measure of  CEO Confidence  for Europe survey .   Together, they examine the factors weighing on CEO confidence ;  explore signs of resilience at the  industr...

Amid p olarization 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 ...

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Tashmeem Muntazir Chowdhury, senior vice president and head of ESG and sustainable finance at BRAC Bank, about the changing landscape of sustainable finance and the growing expectations of ESG investors. They discuss why sustainability is becoming a business imperative ra...

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 ?  ...

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director International at The Conference Board, speaks with Max Zenglein, Center Leader for Economy, Strategy & Finance in Asia at The Conference Board, about how economic security and geopolitical rivalry are reshaping global trade and business strategy across Asia. They discuss the erosion of the rules-based trading system; the growi...

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 outl...

Generative AI and other technologies  are transforming  clinical research  and trials. Find out how  it's  done.       The clinical trials sector is risk-averse, heavily regulated, and not often thought of as a technology first-mover. How is Merck changing that  perception  by using AI to  improv e  insights, innovation, and operations?       Join  Steve Odland  and guest  Jennifer Sheller, senior...

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...

  IBM ' s  chief legal officer explains  how  governance  drives AI success  through  trust, transparency, and employee adoption .   Enterprises are learning that  employees  won't  use AI if they  don't  trust it .   How can   the right  governance  policies help  companies  improve  AI adoption   while also increasing innovation ? Join Steve Odland  and guest  Anne Robinson, senior vice presiden...

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,...

AI  is a  powerful accelerant for performance systems , but only when employees trust the system .  Here's how Microsoft does it.       Artificial intelligence  is helping   enterprises  improve their  performance  systems and incentives .  How can  companies  capitalize on this opportunity while also instilling trust, governance, and clarity that motivates employees and improves their decision-ma...

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 sustainab...

How are companies translating their AI principles into practice?   In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, speaks with Andrew Jones,  PhD,  Principal Researcher at The Conference Board Governance & Sustainability Center, about how companies are  putting AI governance into practice.   They discuss how AI is rapidly moving into core business...

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 recen...