C-Suite Perspectives

Hosted by The Conference Board

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100

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to C-Suite Perspectives, a podcast series by The Conference Board. Hosted by our President & CEO, Steve Odland, this weekly conversation will take an objective, data-driven look at a range of business topics aimed at executives. Listeners will come away with what The Conference Board does best: insights for what's ahead™.

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 37233 min

How CHROs Create People-First, Performance-Driven Companies

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 financial officer at Griffith Foods, and Maria Colacurcio, CEO of Syndio. Find out what defines a people-first organization in 2026, how the CHRO-CFO partnership can drive culture and compensation conversations, and why AI transformation is an opportunity for HR to rebrand itself. This special episode was recorded on June 3 at the 2026 CHRO Summit, hosted by The Conference Board in Chicago. For more from The Conference Board: CHRO Summit: Turning Uncertainty into Growth The Conference Board to Honor S&P Global and UL Solutions at 2026 People First People First: Elevating Talent for the Future (Event)

June 11, 2026Episode 37127 min

Europe's CEOs on Economic Outlook, Business Prospects, and Risks

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board Europe, is joined by Alejandro Fiorito, Economist 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 industry level; and discuss how European business leaders view geopolitical risks, long-term competitiveness, and growth opportunities both within and beyond Europe. More from The Conference Board: 2 Years Below Neutral: European CEO Confidence Falls as Outlook Deteriorates Measure of CEO Confidence for Europe Dashboard CEO Confidence Still Wavering, Investments Stalled, EU Reforms in the Spotlight The 2026 Agenda for Business Leaders: Reimagining the Future in Europe

June 8, 2026Episode 37030 min

America at 250: How Can We Move Past Political Deadlock?

Amid polarization 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 lead the country forward? Join David Young and guest Yuval Levin, director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute, to find out why today's era reminds Levin of the Gilded Age, why political leaders must embrace coalition-building, and why today's challenges are numerous but far from insurmountable. For more from The Conference Board: 250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future A Stable Democracy at 250: Trusted Elections as the Foundation Trusted Elections Are the Foundation of Economic Growth and Business Confidence

June 4, 2026Episode 36920 min

Building Investor Trust Through Sustainable Finance

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 rather than a compliance exercise; how companies can strengthen investor confidence through better data, governance, and reporting; and why sustainable finance continues to gain momentum despite evolving regulations and market scrutiny. The conversation also examines sustainable finance opportunities in Bangladesh and the role of public-private partnerships in supporting climate resilience and inclusive growth. More from The Conference Board: · EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026 · The Sustainability Reset · Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption · Europe 2026: Competitiveness, Clean Industrial Policy, and Institutional Reform

June 1, 2026Episode 36818 min

How Solomon Partners Views the Deal Landscape

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? Join Steve Odland and guest Marc S. Cooper, chairman and CEO of Solomon Partners, to find out the state of the deals market, the challenges facing middle market private equity, and why the US remains the world's top destination. For more from The Conference Board: 2026 M&A Summit - New York Reshaping Strategy: Navigating M&A in the Next Era Deregulation Reshapes Financial Oversight

May 28, 2026Episode 36723 min

How Economic Security Is Reshaping Asia Trade

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 growing intersection of trade, national security, and industrial policy; and why companies must rethink efficiency, resilience, and risk in a more fragmented global economy. The conversation also explores supply chain vulnerabilities, shifting trade alliances, and how business leaders can navigate uncertainty while identifying new opportunities for growth. More from The Conference Board: Economic Security Reshapes Trade in Asia Amid Rising Volatility C-Suite Outlook 2026: Asia-Pacific Edition Asia's Manufacturing Pivot: Competing for Talent in the New Supply Chain Era Beyond Tariffs: Structural Changes to Trade Are Underway in Asia

May 26, 2026Episode 36622 min

The State of the Economy for May 2026

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 outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose by 1.0 points to 74.4. The survey period for this month's preliminary results was May 1–19, encompassing the ongoing war in the Middle East that is placing upward pressure on prices globally. Join Dana M Peterson and Alex Heil to find out what to make of the latest consumer confidence results and what's next for US energy markets. For more from The Conference Board: US Consumer Confidence Forecast for the US Economy Global Economic Outlook

May 26, 2026Episode 36526 min

How Merck Uses AI to Improve Clinical Research

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 improve insights, innovation, and operations? Join Steve Odland and guest Jennifer Sheller, senior vice president and head of global clinical trial operations at Merck, to find out how the company is using AI for clinical research and clinical trials, why "human in the loop" remains essential, and how Merck thinks about the ethical, safety, and privacy considerations of digital health. For more from The Conference Board: How AI Can Help Remedy the US Health Care Workforce Crisis Health Care Workforce Policy Summit: Insight Summary Navigating the Health Care Landscape in 2026

May 21, 2026Episode 36423 min

Measuring Sustainability ROI in an Era of Risk & Resilience

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 sustainability should be embedded into core business strategy rather than treated as a compliance exercise; how insurers assess climate and ESG risks; and the growing role of governance in building trust with investors, regulators, employees, and customers. The conversation also explores greenwashing, sustainability-related litigation, and why sustainability and profitability are increasingly interconnected. More from The Conference Board: · EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026 · AI and the New Cyber Risk Landscape: Disclosure Gaps in the S&P Europe 350 · The Sustainability Reset · Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption

May 18, 2026Episode 36327 min

IBM's Legal Chief on What Successful AI Strategy Looks Like

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 president and chief legal officer at IBM, to find out how AI trust ties directly to AI adoption, why companies need to be clear about the problems they're trying to solve, and how the public sector is grappling with AI.