Celebrating 15 Years

Maria

Davlantes

CEO

Dentive

Chicago,

Illinois

2025 Cohort

Industry

Healthcare

Area of Expertise

Strategy and Business Development

Immediately Qualified to Serve

Nominating and Governance

Previous Board Experience

Private

Maria is a CEO, Independent Board Member and global C-suite executive with extensive experience across global public companies and private equity. She has launched and scaled transformative businesses and brands in Europe and the U.S. for digital start-ups to multi-billion-dollar entities. Maria is the CEO and a Board Member at Dentive, LLC and serves as the Lead Independent Director on the Board for Life Floor, LLC. With her experience spanning global roles, she has lived and worked in the U.K. and Europe for almost a decade.

From serving as a C-suite executive for three global public companies (NYSE; NASDAQ), including BP’s $40b downstream global retail business, and for private equity sponsored companies, Maria’s experience spans the healthcare, consumer, retail, energy, industrial and technology sectors. Additionally, Maria is a former McKinsey strategy consultant and thought leader who served U.K., European and global clients out of the firm’s London office.

Maria’s strength is in developing and implementing growth and innovation strategies and driving digital transformation across sectors, and she has a depth of expertise in modern marketing that builds businesses. She has managed some of the largest global brands within sectors, created curated experiences for audiences, led data science and analytics and guided global public company reputations including during times of significant change. She remains passionate about the environment and sustainability from her time at Interface.

Code of Conduct: Governing Data & Emerging Tech

Boards are no longer observers of emerging technology; they are stewards of how it’s governed. This panel goes beyond awareness to examine how directors can structure oversight, define accountability, and measure governance effectiveness in AI, data use, and digital innovation. Panelists will share practical strategies for building governance systems that ensure transparency, ethical decision-making, and responsible innovation at scale.

Your First Board Meeting: A Director’s Playbook

Designed for aspiring and newly appointed directors, this session offers practical guidance on how to step confidently into your first boardroom. Learn what to expect in early meetings, how to contribute with purpose, and how to quickly build credibility and trust among seasoned peers. Gain insight into board dynamics, unspoken protocols, and the critical questions new directors should be ready to ask and answer.

Tactics that Work: Case Studies in Navigating Shareholder Activism

In this tactical, director-focused session, participants will engage in case-based exercises to dissect real campaigns and pressure scenarios. From activist letters to proxy fights, explore how boards can craft strategic responses that reinforce governance integrity, protect corporate reputation, and align with long-term priorities. Walk away with actionable tactics and frameworks to strengthen board preparedness in the face of growing investor scrutiny.

Inside the Boardroom: Resilience Planning in Action

This interactive session places directors inside the boardroom during moments of disruption. Through tabletop exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will explore how boards can apply structured frameworks to assess geopolitical risk, anticipate threats, and make decisive decisions under pressure. Designed as a classroom-style session, this breakout provides practical tools to strengthen oversight and build a proactive board response strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.

Reputation & Response: How Boards Navigate Shareholder Activism

As shareholder activism intensifies, boards face mounting pressure to defend strategy, protect corporate reputation, and engage stakeholders with clarity. This panel brings together seasoned directors to explore how boards can respond effectively while maintaining credibility, board alignment, and stakeholder trust. Hear real-world insights on navigating activism in today’s high-stakes, high-visibility environment.

Navigating Global Markets: Trade, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Strategy

As global disruptions reshape business models, this panel will explore how boards can navigate the practical complexities of trade, tariffs, and supply chain shifts across regions. Panelists will share how directors are guiding companies through regulatory changes, sourcing challenges, and new market risks, while seizing opportunities for growth and operational agility.

Strengthening Oversight: Risk Management and Board Resilience

This keynote will equip directors to think globally about risk through the lens of geopolitical foresight, cross-border tensions, and long-term instability. Learn how boards can strengthen oversight and guide enterprise-wide resilience by anticipating disruption and embedding a proactive risk culture in a changing world.