CEO Perspectives

Join Bárbara Mendes-Jorge and guest Radhika Ralhan, an ESG and sustainability global impact leader and a guest lecturer at the Maastricht School of Management, to find out how the EU compares with India and the US, why she's excited about the  Circular Economy Act, and why younger generations are unafraid to question a company's commitment to sustainability.    For more from The Conference Board:  Guardrails to Prevent Greenwashing  Top 5 Corporate Governance Priorities for 2026  The Sustainability Reset 

What if water -- not energy or labor -- becomes your biggest business constraint?    In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, president and CEO of The Conference Board, sits down with Alex Heil, senior economist at The Conference Board, to examine the rising business risks tied to water scarcity.    They discuss how limited freshwater supply, aging infrastructure, and inefficient use are creating new pressures on industries, and why leaders need to factor water risk into strategy and operations.    More from The Conference Board:   A Global Water Crisis—Mitigation and Adaption in a World of Water Shortages  Till the Well Runs Dry: How Companies Can Shore Up Against Global Water Scarcity  Running Dry: The US Southwest Water Crisis  At the Climate Crossroads: US Corporate Commitments 10 Years After Paris Accord  Rising Stakes: Climate Impacts Worsen as World Set to Miss Paris Agreement Goals 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, managing director, international at The Conference Board, speaks with Robin Maillard, researcher in the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, Europe, about where multinationals should hire in today's shifting European labor market. They explore how the Where to Hire Index helps leaders balance skills, cost, productivity, and long-term competitiveness when making strategic workforce decisions. More from The Conference Board: ·         Where to Hire: Europe 2026 ·         Reimagine 2025: Human Capital Leadership in an Era of Disruption ·         Five EU Directives CHROs Must Prepare for in 2025 ·         Navigating Europe's Tight Labor Market ·         Steady Hands in Stormy Seas: Human Capital as the Anchor of Business Resilience

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, president and CEO of The Conference Board, sits down with Jennifer Eggers, founder and president of LeaderShift Insights, to explore what it truly takes to succeed at the highest levels of leadership.    They discuss why transitioning to the C-Suite is more challenging than many expect, the mindset shifts required to lead at an enterprise level, and the most common mistakes new executives make. Jennifer shares practical insights on stakeholder management, building influence, and preparing for the complexities of senior leadership.    More from The Conference Board:   What Drives CEO Succession—And Are Boards Ready?  CEO Succession Practices in the Russell 3000 and S&P 500: 2025 Edition  The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence  From Talent Democratization to Differentiation: The CHRO's Next Balancing Act 

Consumer confidence has ticked up slightly but remains low in the face of tariffs, spiking prices and war.    The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® edged up in March to 91.8 (1985=100), from 91.0 in February. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions—increased by 4.6 points to 123.3. The Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—declined by 1.7 points to 70.9.    While not obvious in the headline or its component indexes, the weight of rising costs due to tariff passthrough and spiking oil prices was evident among other measures in the survey like inflation expectations.    Join Yelena Shulyatyeva and guest Allen Li, Associate Economist, The Conference Board, to find out what's behind consumers' current and future expectations.    For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence  Forecast for the US Economy  Global Economic Outlook 

In this episode, Dana Peterson, leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance (ESF) Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Malala Lin, economic research associate at the ESF Center, about new research on shifting consumer habits. They explore the widespread move toward value seeking, how strategies differ across income groups, and what these changes signal for businesses planning in an uncertain environment.    More from The Conference Board:   Cutting Back and Making Trade-offs: How Consumers Are Managing Food Costs  How Are Consumers Paying for Health Care?  Will E-Wallets and Deferred Payments Overtake Cash and Credit Cards?  Fur Babies: How Are US Consumers Financing Veterinary Care? 

China remains one of the most essential -- and complex -- markets for global companies. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, host Steve Odland sits down with David Hoffman, Senior Advisor and China Center Leader at The Conference Board, to unpack what's really happening on the ground.  Fresh from a three-week visit to Beijing and Shanghai, David shares a nuanced view of a market in transition: slower growth, ongoing real estate challenges, and a policy environment that is becoming less market driven. Yet, despite these headwinds, China continues to offer unmatched scale, a deeply capable supply chain, and increasingly rapid innovation cycles that make it indispensable for companies competing globally.  The conversation also explores the rising strength of Chinese competitors, whose gains in design, quality, and cost are reshaping industries worldwide. Against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and trade frictions, companies are adapting through "China for China" strategies: localizing operations to build resilience while navigating a more fragmented global landscape.  For more from The Conference Board:  All China Center Research  China Economy Watch  China Consumption Quarterly Roundup 

In this episode, Brian Campbell, leader of the Governance & Sustainability Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Blair Jones and Greg Arnold, managing directors at Semler Brossy, to examine the evolving role of the board in CEO selection and transition. Drawing on recent research, they discuss internal versus external hires, the signaling challenges boards face, and how disciplined succession planning can protect long-term value and organizational resilience.  More from The Conference Board:   CEO Succession Practices in the Russell 3000 and S&P 500: 2025 Edition  CEO Insight Minute: How Are CEO Succession Trends Shifting in 2025?  CEO Succession and Representation of Women in European Companies  CEO Succession Practices in the Russell 3000 and S&P 500: 2024 Edition 

As climate extremes intensify, resilient infrastructure is no longer a future consideration; it is a present-day imperative.  Alex Heil, senior economist at The Conference Board, speaks with Greg Stonehouse, chief strategy officer at HDR, about how infrastructure design is evolving in response to rising climate risk. From transportation and water systems to health care and energy facilities, they explore how resilience is becoming a core design parameter rather than an add-on.  The conversation examines the economics of resilient investment, the growing role of nature-based solutions, advances in data and real-time system controls, and how cross-sector collaboration is reshaping the future of infrastructure.  For more from The Conference Board:  At the Climate Crossroads: US Corporate Commitments 10 Years After Paris Accord  Extreme Impacts: Severe Weather Events Create Growing Risks for US Businesses  Rising Stakes: Climate Impacts Worsen as World Set to Miss Paris Agreement Goals  Window On: The Business Impact of Intensifying Natural Disasters  Flooding Is Getting Worse. What Should Businesses Do? 

New global data reveals strong employee support for diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI)—but also a widening gap between how leaders view progress and how workers experience it.    Allan Schweyer, principal researcher in the Human Capital Center, speaks with Marion Devine, principal researcher, Human Capital Europe, and Matthew Maloof, researcher, Human Capital Center, about findings from a survey of more than 1,300 employees across the US, Europe, and Asia.    They explore why managers are the make-or-break factor in DEI success, how regional attitudes differ, and what senior leaders can do to strengthen credibility in a climate of political and cultural pushback.    For more from The Conference Board:   Bridging International Perspectives: Exploring DEI  Evidence Over Optics: Proving the Impact of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion  Advancing Opportunity and Access: Linking DEI to Business Outcomes  A Tale of Two Continents: The Impact of US DEI Policy on European Businesses   

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® increased by 2.2 points in February to 91.2 (1985=100), from an upwardly revised 89.0 in January. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions—decreased by 1.8 points to 120.0 in February. The Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose by 4.8 points to 72.0.    Join Dana M. Peterson and guest Malala Lin, Economic Research Associate, to find out what's behind consumers' expectations for the future, and where CEOs are focusing their growth efforts this year.    For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence  C-Suite Outlook 2026  Forecast for the US Economy  Global Economic Outlook 

Three years into the conflict, the Ukraine war has evolved into a brutal war of attrition—with implications far beyond the battlefield.    The Conference Board CEO Steve Odland and Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, a global affairs consultant most recently with the Council on Foreign Relations and the Committee for Economic Development, discuss the history underpinning the conflict, the realities on the ground, and the economic and political pressures facing both Kyiv and Moscow.     From sanctions and shifting alliances to the possibility of a frozen conflict or negotiated settlement, they explore how the war is reshaping geopolitics—and what may come next.    For more from The Conference Board:   The US Critical Minerals Ministerial and Industrial Policy  Three Years of War in Ukraine – And an Extraordinary Week  US–Ukraine Negotiations and Possible Ceasefire  Global Grey Swans Tool 

Learn why companies need to understand AI's promise and potential drawbacks for environmental sustainability.     More than 60% of companies are using AI to support or advance environmental sustainability. What are the use cases they're exploring, and how can businesses also guard against the environmental risks of AI?     Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, PhD, principal researcher at the Governance & Sustainability Center of The Conference Board, to learn about the environmental impact of AI-focused data centers, how companies are capitalizing on AI for sustainability, and how sustainability leaders can demonstrate the ROI of AI applications.     For more from The Conference Board:  AI and Environmental Sustainability: Risks, Opportunities, and What Comes Next  Exiting International Climate Pacts Will Leave The US Isolated  AI Risk Disclosures in the S&P 500: Reputation, Cybersecurity, and Regulation

Find out what's new in CEO and executive compensation, including say-on-pay practices and SEC regulations.      CEO pay in the S&P 500 increased 7% year-over-year in 2025, with stock awards as the largest driver. What are the latest trends in CEO and executive compensation for governance teams and boards to consider?     Join Steve Odland and guest Dana Etra, managing director and head of the Boston office at FW Cook, to find out why some perquisites are being viewed through a risk and duty-of-care lens, how say-on-pay approaches have evolved, and why companies should watch for SEC changes to disclosure requirements.     For more from The Conference Board:  CEO and Executive Compensation Practices in the Russell 3000 and S&P 500: 2025  Pay Ratios: CEO and C-Suite Compensation in the Russell 3000 and S&P 500  Executive Compensation Benchmarking Tool 

Find out what Kevin Warsh's nomination for Fed chair means for interest rates—and the potential Senate battle ahead.     Kevin Warsh has been known as an inflation hawk. Will that change if he is confirmed as Federal Reserve chair, and what could that mean for the economy?     Join Yelena Shulyatyeva and guest John Gardner, head of public policy and research at the Committee for Economic Development (CED), the public policy center of The Conference Board, to find out Warsh's background, the potential roadblocks in the Senate, and what Warsh has said about the 1951 Federal Reserve-Treasury Accord.     For more from The Conference Board:  Trump v. Cook: Is the Fed Special?  Can Fed Governors be Fired?  How Does the Fed Work? 

Learn what C-Suite Outlook 2026 reveals for marketing and communications executives as organizations prepare for the rise of A-Commerce (Agentic Commerce)—a new model of commerce driven by autonomous, AI-powered agents. CEOs and CMOs agree: boosting profitability through business model change is a top priority in 2026, according to The Conference Board C-Suite Outlook 2026 survey. But how should marketing leaders drive that profitability growth in an era increasingly shaped by agentic AI? Join Steve Odland and guest Ivan Pollard, leader of the Marketing & Communications Center at The Conference Board, to find out what CEOs, CMOs and CCOs are prioritizing this year, why agentic commerce is the next emerging trend, and why customer experience becomes even more critical as AI agents automate decisions and interactions across the customer journey.    For more from The Conference Board:  C-Suite Outlook 2026  CMOs' 2026 Growth Plans: Advancing the C-Suite Agenda  Today's CMO: AI Savvy and Skills Focused  Entering the Age of A-Commerice: C-Suite Outlook 2026   

Finding skilled talent remains difficult. Find out how CEOs and CHROs plan to develop their workforce this year.     Nearly 37% of CEOs say finding qualified workers is a challenge, according to the C-Suite Outlook 2026 survey by The Conference Board. How have labor challenges evolved since the Great Resignation, and what can CEOs do to attract and keep skilled talent in 2026?     Join Steve Odland and guest Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center leader at The Conference Board, to find out why AI requires HR to rethink job roles and skills sets, how CEOs and CHROs rank priorities such as productivity and organizational transformation, and which policy issues HR leaders are monitoring.     For more from The Conference Board:  Uncertainty and Opportunity: The CEO Playbook for 2026  The CEO Outlook for 2026—Uncertainty, Risks, Growth & Strategy  Transforming Organizations for AI: Critical Factors for AI Success 

Consumer confidence has plummeted. What does it mean for the economy?    The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® fell sharply in January, from 94.2 in December to 84.5. Consumers' assessment of both current business and labor market conditions, and their short-term outlook of the same, fell by 9.9 and 9.5 points, respectively, to 65.1, well below the threshold of 80 that typically signals a recession ahead.    Write-in responses showed a continuation in references to prices and inflation, oil and gas prices, and food and grocery prices. Mentions of tariffs and trade, politics, and the labor market also rose in January.    Join Dana M. Peterson and guest Erin McLaughlin, Senior Economist, to find out what's behind consumers' thinking and the current state of US trade.    For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence  Forecast for the US Economy  Global Economic Outlook 

Find out how governance and sustainability are evolving, including what's next for ESG.     Change is coming for governance leaders, whether it's the evolution of ESG, the risks around AI, or an increased focus on strategic execution. How can these executives adapt in this rapidly changing and uncertain environment?     Join Steve Odland and guest Brian Campbell, leader of the US Governance & Sustainability Center and general counsel at The Conference Board, to find out why ESG is becoming more disciplined, why AI presents both opportunities and risks, and why revenue growth is increasingly part of the governance team's remit.     For more from The Conference Board:  C-Suite Outlook 2026  CEO and C-Suite ESG Priorities for 2026  2026: A Year in Preview 

CEOs are increasingly at risk, both physically and digitally. Find out what's new in corporate risk preparedness.     The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024 has forced companies to rethink their executive security posture, both in terms of physical and digital security. How can companies and boards assess their security readiness?     Join Steve Odland and guest Bill Udell, CEO of Control Risks' Americas region, to learn about how executive security has evolved in recent years, the biggest gaps in risk preparedness, and why AI and deepfakes only complicate the security challenges.     For more from The Conference Board:  CEO and Executive Compensation Practices in the Russell 3000 and S&P 500: 2025  Report: Women CEOs Outearn Men, and Companies Increase CEO Security Packages  AI Risk Disclosures in the S&P 500: Reputation, Cybersecurity, and Regulation    

Our latest C-Suite Outlook reveals CEOs' biggest concerns—and why they're measuring the ROI of AI.     US CEOs rank economic and geopolitical uncertainty as top risk factors for 2026, according to the C-Suite Outlook 2026 survey from The Conference Board. How can CEOs overcome the lack of policy certainty while making investments that lead to long-term success?     Join Steve Odland and guest David Young, president of the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board, to find out why CEOs continue to seek regulatory consistency, how they plan to grow their businesses this year, and how CEOs are evolving their view of AI investment.     For more from The Conference Board:  Uncertainty and Opportunity: The CEO Playbook for 2026  The CEO Outlook for 2026—Uncertainty, Risks, Growth & Strategy  2026: A Year in Preview    The survey would not have been possible without the support of Ipsos, one of the world's leading market research companies and the sole sponsor for the C-Suite Outlook Survey 2026. 

Find out how CEOs are planning to win this year amid a world of uncertainty.     As 2026 begins, CEOs are worried about uncertainty — in the economy, geopolitics, trade policy, supply chains, and more. What does the C-Suite Outlook 2026 survey tell us about how CEOs plan to grow and invest despite the headwinds?     Join Steve Odland and guest Dana M. Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board and leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out what's next for AI, which areas companies are investing in, and where CEOs are optimistic for 2026.     For more from The Conference Board:  Uncertainty and Opportunity: The CEO Playbook for 2026  The CEO Outlook for 2026—Uncertainty, Risks, Growth & Strategy  2026: A Year in Preview 

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 

Learn how businesses can store and even process goods without incurring immediate tariff obligations.     The effective US tariff rate soared to 17% in 2025. What options are available to businesses that need to import goods but want to mitigate tariff burdens?     Join Alex Heil and guest Erin McLaughlin, senior economist at The Conference Board in the Economy, Strategy & Finance (ESF) Center, to find out what foreign trade zones and bonded warehouses are, how they differ from each other, and how businesses can use them wisely in this uncertain tariff environment.     For more from The Conference Board:  Supply Chain Strategies for Tariffs: Foreign Trade Zones, Bonded Warehouses  Tariff Tracker  For Manufacturers, This Old Solution May Ease Today's Tariff Troubles 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Dana Peterson and Allen Li unpack the latest Consumer Confidence Index® and the surprisingly strong Q3 US GDP report.  US consumer confidence edged lower in December, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline and ending the year on a cautious note. While confidence improved after the federal government shutdown ended, expectations for the next six months remain weak, at levels that are often associated with rising recession risk.   On the upside, Q3 GDP grew at a 4.3% annualized rate, well above expectations. Strong consumer spending, particularly on services and healthcare, drove much of this. Dana and Allen also discuss how data disruptions from the government shutdown may affect future revisions and what the report could mean for Q4 growth and Federal Reserve policy.  For more from The Conference Board:  Consumer Confidence Index  Robust Q3: Finding a Signal in the Noise 

Only 33% of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic gets recycled in the US. What are the obstacles, and how can businesses contribute to greater plastics sustainability and circularity?  Join Alex Heil and guest John Galt, chairman and former CEO of Husky Technologies, to learn about designing an extended producer responsibility system, why most microplastics originate in vehicle tires and city dust, and how businesses can reduce "material tourism" to save money and increase sustainability.  For more from The Conference Board:  Circular Economy and Corporate Sustainability: Emerging Practices  Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment  Effective Sustainability Messaging Should Tap Emotions 

What is neuro-symbolic AI, and how can it help businesses generate value in new ways?     If generative AI is a productivity engine, then neuro-symbolic AI promises to be the growth engine that turns data into business value. But what is this technology, and why should C-Suite leaders move quickly to explore its potential?     Join Ivan Pollard and guest Jeff Schumacher, Growth Platforms leader at EY-Parthenon, to find out how neuro-symbolic AI differs from other AI, how it avoids problems of inaccuracy and bias, and what we can learn from "Moneyball."      For more from The Conference Board:  Is AI Delivering? The ROI on AI  AI Search and Its Impact on Marketing  Learning for the Future: Preparing Organizations and Workers for AI Disruption 

AI is driving the next wave of corporate reinvention, moving beyond efficiency toward creativity and strategic insight. For business leaders, the question is no longer whether to use AI but how to lead with it.    In conversation with John Metselaar, The Conference Board CEO Steve Odland explores the new frontier of human-machine collaboration. The episode highlights how forward-looking leaders are using AI to improve decisions, fuel creativity, and drive growth.    For more from The Conference Board:     AI: The Next Transformation  AI Leadership Summit Event Insights  How Business Model Coherence Unlocks Value Amid the Digital Transformation 

2026 is almost here. Find out what risks CEOs are prioritizing in the year ahead.     CEOs have had to spend much of this year dealing with the fallout from tariffs and a government shutdown, but those challenges are far from resolved. What are the biggest risks CEOs are thinking about as the new year approaches?     Join Steve Odland and guest David Young, president of the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board, to find out why tariffs will continue regardless of the Supreme Court decision, the increasing challenge of US fiscal debt and deficits, and how organizations can lean into AI.     For more from The Conference Board:  Tariff Tracker  Global Gray Swans Tool  What Business Leaders Need to Know About Global Trade 

Consumer expectations for six months in the future continued to worsen in November, and confidence fell to its second-lowest level this year. Will holiday spending turn the tide on this rising pessimism?  Join Dana M Peterson, Chief Economist and Center Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, and Malala Lin, Economic Research Associate, both of The Conference Board, to find out how consumers are approaching holiday shopping this year, whether and how tariffs are factoring into their spending, and why health care costs are increasingly top of mind.      For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence   Forecast for the US Economy   Global Economic Outlook    

AI is redefining what effective leadership development looks like. Coaching, once limited to the few, can now reach the many, empowering managers and employees alike.  Diana Scott welcomes Allan Schweyer, both of The Conference Board, to discuss how embedding AI coaches into daily workflows is redefining employee development, scaling mentorship, and enabling organizations to cultivate a more agile and emotionally intelligent workforce.  For more from The Conference Board:   A Coach for Every Worker: Scaling Access and Performance with AI  Does AI Coaching Work?  Activating the AI Coach: Effective Implementation Strategies for CHROs 

Globalization is being rewritten as geopolitics, trade, and industrial policy collide. Shifting alliances are reshaping markets, supply chains, and the balance of economic power.    In this episode, Steve Odland of The Conference Board, speaks with Maria Demertzis about what these shifts mean for corporate decision-makers. Together, they share how business leaders can adapt to rising uncertainty and build resilience in a fragmented world.    For more from The Conference Board:   Dutch Government Intervenes on Nexperia, Rewriting Europe's Geoeconomic Playbook  Europe's Financial Independence Needs Derisking, Not Decoupling  How Decision-Makers Can Prepare for Fundamental Uncertainty in Today's World 

Companies in the S&P 500 are increasingly disclosing AI-related risks. Find out what this means for C-Suite leaders and boards.     More than 70% of the S&P 500 disclosed material AI risks in 2025, up from only 12% in 2023. What are the biggest AI-related risks for these companies, and how can they integrate AI into governance and risk frameworks?     Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, principal researcher at the Governance & Sustainability Center of The Conference Board, to discover why AI disclosures have soared since 2023, the challenges of divergent regulations in the EU and US, and why AI further complicates cybersecurity.    For more from The Conference Board:  AI Risk Disclosures in the S&P 500: Reputation, Cybersecurity, and Regulation  How Should Companies Approach Reputation Building in the AI Era?  A Coach for Every Worker: Scaling Access and Performance with AI 

The modern workplace is being reshaped by a sweeping "whole-of-government" approach to policy, enforcement, and regulation. From diversity and inclusion to AI and immigration, the Administration's actions are influencing how both federal and private employers manage compliance, talent, and organizational risk.  In this episode, Steve Odland speaks with Camille Olson, partner at Seyfarth, about what this evolving landscape means for business leaders. They explore how executive orders, agency directives, and litigation trends are redefining the boundaries between public policy and corporate governance.  For more on this topic:   To H-1B or Not to H-1B: That Is the Policy Question  Is ICE Coming for Your Workers?  No, DEI Is Not Banned: A C-Suite Guide to Navigating the Legal Landscape in 2025  Workplace Governance Under the Trump Administration (Seyfarth) 

Find out why a 1-2% increase in annual electricity demand could create add stress to the US electrical grid.     US electricity demand has been largely flat for 20 years, thanks to efficiency gains. But with rising power demand from AI, electric vehicles, and other forms of electrification, how can the US grid keep up?      Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, PhD, senior economist at the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center of The Conference Board, to find out the current pressures on power generation and distribution, what kinds of investment are required, and how higher power demand affects US businesses and consumers.     For more from The Conference Board:  Power Playbook: How US Businesses Can Prepare For Electricity Price Pressures  US Power Surge: How Businesses Can Prepare for Electricity Demand Spikes from AI  Plugged In or Power Outage? Corporate Risk in US Grid Capacity 

What does the latest Consumer Confidence Index reveal about the economy's true pulse amid a prolonged government shutdown?  In this episode, host Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist and Center Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, talks with Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist of Global Indicators, both of The Conference Board, about the latest Consumer Confidence Index results and the ongoing federal government shutdown.  They discuss how Americans are feeling about the economy, inflation, and the job market; early signs for the 2025 holiday shopping season; and what the shutdown means for growth, data, and consumers.  Topics covered:  Why consumer confidence is holding steady despite uncertainty  Shifts in inflation expectations and buying plans  Insights on holiday spending and tariff impacts  The shutdown's effects on data, jobs, and GDP  What to watch for as policymakers debate next steps  For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence  Forecast for the US Economy  Global Economic Outlook 

"This is a self-inflicted wound on our economy," says former Congressman Ron Klein.    In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, CEO of The Conference Board, sits down with Klein to unpack the ongoing US government shutdown: what it really means, who it affects, and how it might end. Together, they explore the technical mechanics behind a shutdown, the political dynamics fueling it, and the ripple effects across the economy and private sector.    Executives should monitor the shutdown's downstream effects on consumer confidence, supply chains, and federal partnerships. Klein underscores that resolution will come—but the longer the impasse, the broader the economic and social toll.    For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence  Navigating Washington 

In just a few decades, corporate sustainability has grown into a core corporate function, particularly at publicly traded companies. What is the state of corporate sustainability in 2025, and how will it evolve in the coming decade?     Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, principal researcher at The Conference Board's Governance & Sustainability Center, to find out what "corporate sustainability" means, why most companies are embracing a hybrid model, and where sustainability leaders see the function evolving next.     For more from The Conference Board:  Structuring Corporate Sustainability for Business Advantage  Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment  Survey: 80% of Corporations Are Reworking ESG Strategies Amid Policy Shifts 

Learn what the latest research on US shareholder activism can teach CEOs and boards.  Activism has evolved from a niche effort to a mainstream investment strategy, with campaigns in the US quadrupling since 2018. Learn how activists are targeting not only small-cap firms but increasingly large S&P 500 companies, using sophisticated communication strategies and exempt solicitations to influence boards.  Join Steve Odland and guest Matteo Tonello, Head of TCB Benchmarking and Analytics at The Conference Board, to find out what's behind the surge in activism campaigns, how companies are being targeted, the increasing scrutiny of CEOs (including gender bias), and how boards can prepare and respond effectively.     For more from The Conference Board:  2025 Proxy Season Review: From Escalation to Recalibration  TCB Benchmarking  2026 Executive Compensation Event 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Chief Economist Dana M. Peterson sits down with Associate Economist Allen Li to unpack the latest findings from The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence™ in collaboration with The Business Council. CEO confidence slipped slightly to 48 (down from 49), signaling cautious optimism among US business leaders amid ongoing tariff uncertainty and geopolitical risks.    Dana and Allen explore what's driving sentiment among Fortune 500 executives, from their views on the broader economy and their own industries to evolving workforce and investment plans. Despite a softer headline number, CEOs remain resilient — with many expecting only a mild slowdown, steady wages, and no imminent recession.    With official government data delayed due to the shutdown, this survey offers crucial real-time insights into how corporate leaders view the US economy, labor markets, and investment landscape heading into 2026.    For more on the Measure of CEO Confidence™, click through here. 

The US and the EU are both cracking down on human rights violations in the supply chain. What should the C-Suite and board do to avoid not just regulatory penalties but also reputational damage?     Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, principal researcher at The Conference Board Governance & Sustainability Center, to find out what human rights means in a supply chain setting, the challenges of assessing multiple tiers of suppliers, and what boards should do next.     For more from The Conference Board:  Human Rights in the Supply Chain: Compliance, Governance, and Strategy  Human Rights: A Priority for India Inc. in 2025  2026 Corporate Citizenship Summit 

The government shutdown affects much more than the federal workforce. How can CHROs guide their companies through this latest stressor?      The government shutdown has an impact on your private company, whether it's missing economic data, delayed regulatory action, or employees affected indirectly by a family member's furlough or job loss. How can CHROs lead their workforces through yet another stressful event?     Join Steve Odland and guest Diana Scott, center leader of the US Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, to learn about the psychological stress of the shutdown,how CHROs can give managers the right resources, and how to find alternate sources of economic data.     For more from The Conference Board:  Implications of Government Shutdown  Shutting Down the Economy? Impact of US Government Shutdown  For CMOs, the Market Stays Open During the Shutdown 

Find out how business leaders and workers feel about the workplace amid uncertainty and cost-cutting.     Layoffs are on the rise, with 41% of organizations issuing them in 2025 compared with only 30% in 2024. What does this uncertain economic environment mean for human capital leaders as they try to shape resilient organizations in 2026 and beyond?     Join Diana Scott and guests Robin Erickson, PhD, head of human capital research at The Conference Board, and Matthew Maloof, researcher at The Conference Board Human Capital Center. They discuss why hybrid work is increasingly popular, how cost-cutting is affecting culture and more, and the pandemic's lasting effects on the workplace.     For more from The Conference Board:  The Reimagined Workplace 2025: Managing Uncertainty  Off-Site, Out of Mind? Overcoming the Downsides of Hybrid Work  How to Navigate the Reimagined Workplace in 2025 

Find out what NATO is, how it functions, and why Russia's recent incursions could force the alliance to act.      Recent Russian violations of Polish and Estonian airspace have NATO considering a possible Article Five response, something last seen in response to 9/11. What are NATO's options, and what happens if the alliance fails to present a united front?     Join Steve Odland and guest Sara Murray, Managing Director for International at The Conference Board, to learn about NATO's origins and structure, why defense commitments have increased, and why NATO is approaching a red line with Russia.     For more from The Conference Board:  House Passes National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)  Green Tanks? How Defense Spending Can Bolster EU Competitiveness Amid CBAM  Europe's Financial Independence Needs Derisking, Not Decoupling 

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Dana Peterson speaks with economists Stephanie Guichard and Alex Heil about declining US consumer confidence, rising inflation concerns, and lowered spending expectations-- and explores how the global energy transition is reshaping markets, costs, and business strategy.    This episode provides a dual lens on the economy: the current sentiment of US consumers, which shapes spending and growth, and the long-term global shift in energy systems, reshaping industries and business planning.    Leaders and executives will gain timely insights into how these trends affect both household behavior and strategic business decisions.    For more from The Conference Board:  US Consumer Confidence  Power Playbook: How US Businesses Can Prepare for Electricity Price Pressures  What's Next for Wind, Solar and Other Renewable Energy?