Check-in, light breakfast, informal networking.

Dottie Schindlinger

Executive Director, Diligent Institute

Dottie Schindlinger

Executive Director, Diligent Institute

Kira Ciccarelli

Senior Manager of Research & Programs

Diligent Institute

For over 20 years, Corporate Board Member has been tracking what’s on the minds of US public company directors. The 2026 edition of What Directors Think show how directors are changing their thinking to fit the times – particularly around how to grapple with AI strategy, risk oversight, and investment. This fireside chat between the two authors of the report will reveal top insights and trends setting the stage for the rest of our discussions throughout the Summit.

M&A is a perennially popular option for growth, and 40% of US public company directors told us in our 2026 What Directors Think survey that pursuing growth through M&A and strategic partnerships is a top organizational priority this year. Yet, there are so many ways M&A can go wrong, and those pitfalls can become chasms without the right approach on the key areas of technology, AI strategy & cybersecurity. This candid conversation will explore how to future-proof your M&A strategy, appropriately leverage AI and other technologies to mitigate risk

Companies are rapidly investing in and deploying AI solutions across multiple functional roles, but how can companies ensure they have the right talent in place to lead in the AI age? This session explores best practices in executive and board succession planning tailored for an era defined by AI-driven change. Discover how boards can proactively address skills gaps, executive and board transitions, and future-ready leadership needs to position their organizations for long-term success.

Jim Kzirian

Partner

Meridian Compensation Partners

In the past three decades, the SEC has discussed changes to executive compensation policy only a handful of times—and each proposal has resulted in significant shifts. This session will provide a briefing on potential upcoming changes to SEC executive compensation policies and what they may mean for leaders at both public and private companies. Additionally, we will cover other compensation trends and expectations for 2026 and beyond.

Meridian Compensation Partners is dedicated to delivering optimal solutions and guidance in the field of executive compensation and corporate governance consulting. Our firm is well positioned to cater to the needs of senior executives, boards, and compensation committees in both public and private corporations. Our comprehensive suite of services encompasses board-level advisory, compensation program design, research, and thorough market analysis regarding executive and governance issues. We extend our support to companies operating across diverse industries, with a special focus on sectors characterized by distinct labor markets, business metrics, and compensation practices.

Lunch break including a brief demonstration of Diligent Boards and GovernAI.

Roosevelt Giles

President & CEO

EndPoint Ventures, LLC

Every leader suddenly has found themselves leading on AI – whether or not they are ready. This candid discussion will cover a wide range of thought-provoking issues directors, GCs and executive teams should be keeping top of mind as they make decisions on AI strategy and investment in ways that safeguard the trust of their shareholders, customers, employees and other key stakeholders. 

Scott Bridgen

GM of Risk & Audit

New tools are allowing boards and senior leaders to upgrade their approach to scenario planning and risk oversight. This panel of leaders will share some practical frameworks, real-world examples and governance safeguards to integrate AI-driven analytics, stress testing and early-warning signals into risk oversight an

Economic and geopolitical fault lines are shifting faster than boards can update their playbooks. This session asks, “Where are we really heading?” and offers practical insight for directors, General Counsel and C‑suite leaders. Expert speakers will unpack macroeconomic trends, elections, regulation, security risks and supply‑chain shocks, and translate them into concrete oversight priorities, probing questions and scenario‑planning moves you can take back to your boardrooms.

Dottie Schindlinger

Executive Director, Diligent Institute

Bringing together all of the themes covered throughout the Summit, participants will have roundtable discussions with our session speakers facilitating. A high-level summary of key takeaways will be captured for use in the future publication (all under Chatham House Rule).