C-Suite Perspectives

Dana Etra, Managing Director and head of FW Cook’s Boston office, offers expert perspective on CEO and executive pay. She discusses rising CEO pay driven by stock awards. She explains reported versus realized pay, why equity dominates governance strategy, the reframing of perquisites as risk mitigation, evolving say-on-pay practices, and upcoming SEC disclosure changes.

John Gardner, head of public policy and research at the Committee for Economic Development, breaks down Kevin Warsh’s stance on inflation and Fed strategy. They discuss how Warsh’s past views have shifted, the likelihood of near-term rate moves, potential changes to Fed decision-making and outreach, and the Senate confirmation dynamics that could shape his path forward.

Ivan Pollard, leader of The Conference Board’s Marketing & Communications Center, brings expertise in marketing strategy and AI’s business impact. He discusses the 2026 C-Suite priorities, the rise of agentic commerce driven by autonomous AI agents, how marketing is adopting creative and agentic AI, and why customer experience and business model change are central this year.

Diana Scott, leader of the U.S. Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, focuses on labor markets and workforce strategy. She discusses CEOs' struggle to find qualified workers and how skills gaps evolved since the Great Resignation. She explores how AI forces HR to rethink roles and skills, regional talent differences, productivity as a priority, and the role of policy and psychological safety in transformation.

Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, gives a crisp, data-driven take on the January collapse in consumer confidence. She walks through slipping business and labor assessments, rising price concerns, shifts in buying plans, and how tariffs and trade frictions are reshaping imports and exports. Short, timely, and grounded in the latest data.

Brian Campbell, leader of The Conference Board's U.S. Governance & Sustainability Center and former general counsel, guides a brisk tour of governance shifts. ESG is moving toward disciplined, material priorities. AI brings big opportunity and governance risk. Boards and executives are refocusing on execution, revenue growth, and resilience amid political and regional uncertainty.

Bill Udell, CEO of Control Risks Americas, brings a wealth of knowledge on executive security and crisis management. He discusses alarming trends in corporate risk, especially after the high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO. Companies must reassess their security preparedness, especially with new challenges like cyber threats and AI-generated disinformation. Bill emphasizes the importance of treating executive safety as a strategic governance issue and highlights common gaps in readiness, urging firms to adopt a dynamic and holistic approach to risk management.

David Young, the President of the Committee for Economic Development, shares valuable insights on the concerns of CEOs heading into 2026. He emphasizes that economic and geopolitical uncertainties top the list of risks. Young discusses the complexities of tariffs and supply chains, highlighting the need for stable policies to facilitate long-term investments. The conversation shifts to the evolving perception of AI, focusing on measuring its ROI and the potential for job enhancement when implemented wisely. CEOs are redefining growth strategies in response to these challenges.

Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, shares vital insights on CEO strategies for 2026 amid global uncertainties. She discusses how geopolitical risks and cyber threats dominate business concerns, forcing a reevaluation of supply chains and costs. Peterson highlights the shift toward AI adoption, emphasizing its potential for productivity and the need for skilled talent. Despite challenges, CEOs are prioritizing investment, focusing on domestic markets, and striving for growth through innovation and customer-centered strategies.

Learn how companies can develop a strategy to redesign their structures and processes for AI. AI not only transforms how companies operate, it's also transforming how they differentiate, according to a new report by The Conference Board. How can companies reimagine themselves with AI at every level of the enterprise? Join Steve Odland and guests Erka Amursi and Matt Rosenbaum, both principal researchers at The Conference Board Human Capital Center, to find out what makes AI different than previous technologies, why AI strategy needs to mix " top-down and bottom-up elements," and why human-designed systems need to be reimagined for an AI world. For more from The Conference Board: Transforming Organizations for AI: Critical Factors for AI Success How Are GEO & AI Agents Transforming Reputation Management? Workers' AI Optimism Abounds: How Workers Say AI Affects Their Jobs