Celebrating 15 Years

The Greater Seattle Conversation on Board Leadership

In-Person Strategic Networking Event

October 7, 2025

Time: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM

PT

Power and Influence in the Age of AI

VENUE: Campion Ballroom at Seattle University

Co-Chairs

Christina Easton

Director, Treasury Services

COMPANY: Seattle Children’s Hospital

Diane Davis

Non-Executive Director

COMPANY: First Financial Northwest Bank

Adriane Musuneggi

Senior Vice President, Product

COMPANY: Carrot Fertility

Chris Manderino

Founder & CEO

COMPANY: CM Advisory Group

What Happens at the Event?

Seattle leaders, this is your invitation to be part of a movement.

We bring together the people shaping our region’s future for a conversation on Power and Influence in the Age of AI and how that impacts the boardroom.

Keynote speaker Liat Ben-Zur and our panel of distinguished leaders Kelly Breslin Wright, Fumbi Chima and Doug Miller will share timely insights into how AI is reshaping leadership and board governance.

Following the remarks, attendees will participate in interactive breakout sessions with experienced board directors to hear their journeys and ask questions in a smaller setting. Key takeaways will include actionable steps to move forward in your board journey and dedicated networking time to connect with over 100+ senior Seattle-area leaders.

Why is this important?

  • Board diversity is not just a social issue—it’s a proven strategy for financial success.
  • A 2023 McKinsey study indicates that companies in the top quartile for board-gender diversity, are 27% more likely to outperform financially versus their peers.
  • Additionally, companies with 3+ women on their boards have shown:
    • 84% better return on sales2
    • 46% better return on equity2
    • 37% increase in earnings per share over five years

We Can’t Wait to See You on Tuesday, October 7, from 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 am at Seattle University.

Agenda

8:00 am – Doors open/Networking/Full Breakfast
9:00 am – Program start

9:15 am – Keynote Address
9:35 am – Moderated Panel

10:00 am – Coaching Tables with Board Directors & Breakouts
11:00 am – Networking with Board Directors

Moderator

LC-Headshot-2025-Forest-Green

Laura Close

CBDO & Co-Founder
Included.ai

Keynote

Liat Ben-Zur

Liat Ben-Zur

CEO and Managing Director
LBZ Advisory LLC

Panelists

Director Coaches

Leadership Committee

INDIVIDUAL TICKET PACKAGES
$250

Our Individual Tickets include an in-person strategic networking event in a city of your choice. These events are designed to help you build your network and make valuable connections that can propel your career forward. Secure your spot today!

SPONSORSHIP
PACKAGES
$5,000+

Our Sponsorship Packages start at the City Silver level with options to curate packages at the Worldwide Corporate level, providing you with the opportunity to showcase your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Official Airline

United Airlines

Multi-city – $50K

Multi-city – $40K

Multi-city – $30K

Emerald

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Thank you to our In-Kind Donors!

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