Governance Matters

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Sep 2026

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About the show

The Governance Matters podcast provides listeners with insight into the cutting-edge issues of the day for corporate secretaries, general counsel and all governance professionals. Produced by Governance Intelligence, this monthly podcast will look at how the role of the corporate secretary and the board has evolved over time, as well as how the governance landscape continues to change.From ESG to entity management, shareholder engagement to technology, we’ll hear from award-winning governance professionals and leading advisers about the latest public company governance matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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51 recent

October 22, 202626 min

What to do in first hours of an AI crisis: five questions general counsel should ask themselves

In the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman speaks to Chaka Patterson, founder and CEO of strategic advisory firm Chaka Strategy, about how general counsel should respond in the first hours of an AI crisis. Patterson explains what general counsel need to do first, who should be in the room and when to bring the board into the response. The conversation also explores five questions general counsel should ask themselves at the outset and why resisting the urge to act too quickly can be critical to managing a crisis effectively. The discussion examines the role of the general counsel in navigating high-pressure situations, balancing the need for swift action with the importance of making informed decisions when the facts are still emerging. Patterson is a former general counsel of NYSE-listed Adtalem Global Education and former head of treasury and investor relations at Exelon. His book, The Hot Seat: Mastering the Public Company General Counsel Role , was published this year. Through Chaka Strategy, he advises chief legal officers and general counsel at publicly traded companies on becoming more effective enterprise leaders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 28, 202615 min

Governance at a turning point: Rule 14a-8, proxy advisors and crypto regulation in SEC’s sights

In the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman explores a series of developments testing established governance frameworks, including the SEC’s proposal to scrap Rule 14a-8, its court action against proxy adviser ISS and uncertainty surrounding US crypto regulation. The episode also looks at the modernization of transfer agent rules, the risks posed by shadow AI and the challenge of keeping board oversight in step with rapidly developing technology. Lastly, we touch on the new direction for Governance Intelligence centred on practical intelligence for better governance, helping boards and governance teams understand not only what is changing, but what they should do next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 13, 202619 min

Climate rescission and the coming disclosure divide

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman speaks to former SEC commissioner Allison Herren Lee about the SEC’s proposal to rescind its climate disclosure rule before it ever took effect . Lee argues that, even if the rescission goes ahead, climate reporting will not disappear. Instead, companies are likely to continue disclosing climate-related information because investors want comparable, decision-useful data and because regulators in other jurisdictions are continuing to require it. The conversation explores what the proposal signals about the SEC’s role in setting consistent disclosure standards, how Lee views the agency’s legal rationale and what the debate may mean for future approaches to materiality and investor protection. The two also discuss how companies that have already invested in climate reporting may adapt their governance practices, board oversight and long-term disclosure strategies, and whether the absence of a federal rule could leave US issuers navigating a more fragmented and complex reporting landscape shaped by investors, states, international regulators and voluntary frameworks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 23, 202628 min

What governance teams need to know about the growing power of retail investors

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman speaks to Katie Perry, marketer, financial creator, capital markets strategist and retail investing expert. She is also the author of the book Ticker Shock: A Playbook for Investor Relations, Communications, and Leadership in the Age of Retail Investors. The discussion with Perry explores how retail investors are reshaping the governance conversation, particularly as high-profile IPOs and tightly controlled board structures raise questions about shareholder protections. Through our conversation she homes in on whether retail investors are gaining real influence or simply applying symbolic pressure, how their priorities differ from institutional investors on issues such as quarterly reporting and whether their impact is extending into regulatory and compliance debates. She also shares the role of technology, social platforms and AI-driven tools in amplifying retail voices, before asking whether this shift could strengthen accountability or create new governance risks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 1, 202615 min

Trust and credibility remain central to ESG reporting, says governance researcher

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman speaks to Gaizka Ormazabal, associate dean for Research at IESE Business School in Barcelona, about his latest research which examines the mechanisms underpinning trust and credibility in sustainability reporting. With his research cited in final rulings by the SEC and the European Securities and Markets Authority, he explains the real-world effects of regulatory changes. For example, he explores how new disclosure requirements in the world’s major stock indices can impact corporate behavior and investor decision-making. Through the conversation, Ormazabal also explains the influence of political ideology on ESG regulation, looking specifically at global policy shifts triggered during President Trump’s second term . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 2, 202626 min

Governance teams need to ‘be a journalist, ask the questions’ to get the best from its boards

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman speaks to Davina Stanley, founder of Clarity First Program, a professional development initiative designed to help executives, managers and their teams. It enables them to refine complex ideas, improve communication and secure faster, better decisions from senior leaders and boards Directors often tell Stanley that understanding the board takes a fraction of the time once executives have completed her training. One even said they now spend 90 percent less time understanding the board deck than before. Through the discussion, Stanley advises listeners on how to prevent communication breakdowns across various teams, how to get better board contributions and why governance professionals need to act like journalists to get the best insights and produce the best board materials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 5, 202612 min

As market volatility persists, regulators are sharpening their focus on core enforcement actions

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman runs down the latest stories from across the GRC space. Top of the list is the SEC’s director for the Division of Enforcement setting a ‘back to basics’ approach to enforcement policy. We also discuss SEC chairman Paul Atkins sharing his thoughts on why ‘woke priorities’ are slowing IPOs and capital markets, plus the Delaware Supreme Court's reversal in the Moelis & Company case and the implications for stockholder agreements and board authority. Lastly, we explore our latest deep dive on the modernization of capital markets infrastructure and why boards should be prepared for continued scrutiny of post-trade infrastructure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 2, 202614 min

Trump, proxies and proposals: What’s changing for the 2026 proxy season

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman rounds up the most compelling stories from the end of 2025 well into the new year. From President Trump’s proxy advisor executive order targeting ISS and Glass Lewis to Rule 14a-8, the shareholder proposal rule and how its enforcement is changing for the 2026 proxy season. Elsewhere, California’s AI Bill curbing lawyers’ use of AI, the sharp shift in corporate language around diversity and the review of regulation S-K by the SEC, its clear that the focus in light touch regulation continues at pace in the US. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December 18, 202511 min

From the red carpet: Shareholder engagement and M&A trends

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman takes a closer look at the standout moments and major themes emerging from the 2025 awards season. In a series of conversations with prominent governance leaders, we explore how the industry is evolving and what continues to set the Corporate Governance Awards apart as a benchmark of excellence. Guests include: Brian Breheny, partner at Skadden John Kim, assistant corporate secretary and lead counsel at General Motors Lori Zyskowski, partner at Gibson Dunn Kevin Bohl, senior vice president, deputy general counsel and assistant corporate secretary at Ventas Fernando Contreras, VP, chief compliance officer & corporate secretary at Baker Hughes Jeffrey Lipschutz, senior director, associate general counsel & assistant secretary at Sallie Mae Tricia Hammons, director of governance & legal services, assistant corporate secretary at Murphy Oil Hope Mehlman, chief legal and corporate affairs officer at Ally Across these conversations, they share their perspectives on the trends shaping governance today, from shifting regulatory expectations to the increasing importance of transparency, technology and stakeholder engagement. They also reflect on what makes the awards particularly meaningful for governance professionals: the opportunity to celebrate innovation, spotlight best practices and recognize the teams driving impactful change within their organizations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

November 28, 202519 min

2026 proxy season: What’s about to change and why it matters

The team breaks down the changes poised to redefine boardrooms and investor influence next year On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, editor Laurie Havelock is joined by senior reporter Natalie Bannerman to discuss all the latest goings on from the world of GRC. ISS has unveiled its 2026 benchmark policy updates, ushering in a greater focus on that transparency and accountability across all jurisdictions. At the same time, the SEC’s 2026 exam priorities spotlight data privacy and – for the first time in years –exclude cryptocurrencies, signalling a softer stance on the asset. Also, fresh on the heels of the Corporate Governance Forum in New York, we share some of the key taking points from inside the room and how it interplays with the changes across the space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.