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John Driver

John Driver

Independent Director

John Driver is a Chief Executive, Independent Director, business strategist, and change agent with broad and diversified experience in large global, mid-market, and early-stage software companies. Currently, he leads Lynx Technology a Smart Home IoT and digital media technology firm powering a range of consumer electronics products. He founded Lynx through the successful execution of a management buyout of PacketVideo’s Connected Home business operations. Additionally, he has held various leadership roles at PacketVideo, Sun Microsystems and Serena Software. His career is marked by a strong ability to navigate complexity, deliver technological innovation, and drive profitability.

Mr. Driver serves as an Independent Director at Broadway Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: BYFC) and its subsidiary City First Bank, N.A., the largest Black-led bank in the U.S., and Vital Energy (NYSE: VTLE), an oil & gas exploration and production company operating in the Permian basin, participating on Audit, Nomination & Governance, Finance, and Risk & Compliance Committees. He is NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) Directorship Certified and NACD Cybersecurity Oversight Certified. Mr. Driver is a Mentor for the Black Corporate Board Readiness Program at Santa Clara University, a member of the 2024 Selection Committee for the 50 Women to Watch for Boards Campaign, a Board Member at 50/50 Women on Boards and a Board Member of the NACD Pacific Southwest chapter, where he serves as the Chair of the Nomination & Governance Committee Roundtable. Previous board roles include Chair of the Fleet Science Center Board of Trustees, Chair of the Stanford Associates Board of Governors, and Marketing Chair of the San Diego YMCA Overnight Camps.

Mr. Driver is a recipient of a Director of the Year Award (2024) from the Corporate Directors Forum and a Stanford University Governor’s Award for exemplary and long-standing volunteer service. He earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He resides with his wife in San Diego, California, and has three adult children.

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PREVIOUSLY 2020 WOMEN ON BOARDS

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.

Speakers include: Sita Lowman, Nithya Das, Suresh Sharma, Byron Loflin

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.

Speakers include: Gaby Sulzberger, David Cahoy, Rachael Coffey, Eduardo Gallego

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.

Speakers include: Titi Cole, Mia Mends

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.

Speakers include: Rodger Baker