Global Summit Week
September 15-17, 2026
New York City
The Breakfast of Corporate Champions
September 17
Founded in 2011 by Janice Ellig, CEO of The Ellig Group, The Breakfast of Corporate Champions is a premier event recognizing companies that lead in board gender balance. Now stewarded by 50/50 Women on Boards, the September 17, 2026 Breakfast will open the Global Summit, honoring S&P 500 and Fortune 1000 companies with more than 40% women directors and presenting the Muriel F. Siebert Leadership Award to a CEO advancing governance excellence.
For more information, email the Director of Development Shane Cullen at shane@5050wob.com.
The Global Summit
September 17
The 2026 Global Summit convenes influential board directors and global leaders to shape the future of corporate governance. We’ll focus on critical issues impacting boardrooms globally, from geopolitical risk to emerging technologies, and the future of boardroom resilience.
























Special Invite-Only Events
Nasdaq Closing Bell Ceremony
September 15
50/50 Women on Boards will celebrate our 2026 50 Women to Watch for Boards honorees with a bell ceremony at Nasdaq on Tuesday, September 15. This invitation-only ceremony brings together this year’s distinguished leaders to mark their achievement and recognize their readiness for corporate board service.
Welcome Reception
September 16
On the evening before The Global Summit, we will celebrate the 50 Women to Watch for Boards 2026 cohort at an invitation-only Welcome Reception. Honorees, selection committee members, Summit speakers, and distinguished board leaders will gather for an intimate evening of connection and recognition, setting the tone for the important conversations and leadership moments ahead.
Past Speakers

Carla Vernón
CEO and Board Director, The Honest Company

Jessica Alba
Founder and Board Member, The Honest Company

Michael Miebach
CEO
Mastercard

Valerie Jarrett
CEO and member of the Board of Directors, The Obama Foundation

David Chun
Founder & CEO
Equilar

Whitney Wolfe Herd
Founder, CEO, Bumble

Byron Loflin
Global Head of Board Advisory
Nasdaq
Byron Loflin
Global Head of Board Advisory
Nasdaq
Byron Loflin is the Global Head of Board Advisory at Nasdaq where he leads the governance team in driving board and governance effectiveness. Byron founded Center for Board Excellence (CBE) in 2010 and was CEO until it was acquired by Nasdaq in 2019. Prior to CBE, Byron was the CEO and president for two private companies between 1992-2009. Byron is the architect and developer of a governance platform and tools used by thousands of board members globally.
Along with speaking on and teaching corporate governance effectiveness, Byron has co-authored the book CEO Ready with Mark Thompson and being published by Harvard Business Review, November 2025. The book draws insights from their over 25 years of experience with board dynamics including CEO succession. Byron is a graduate of James Madison University (BA) and Harvard Business School (OPM) and an active learner with several HBS Executive Education Certificates including Havard’s Board Effectiveness program.
Recently published:
Driving Excellence: Redefining AI Governance videocast with Steven Wolfe Pereira, July 2025
“Trust and the Interplay of Confidence and Accountability”, International Banker February 2025
“Enterprise Risk Management for Next-Gen Boards”, Nasdaq January 2025

María Ariza
CEO, BIVA

Brian Moynihan
CEO
Bank of America

Melinda French Gates
Co-Founder, Gates Foundation

Enrique Lores
Former President & CEO
HP

Mellody Hobson
CEO & President, Ariel Investments, LLC

Herman E. Bulls
Vice Chairman
Americas of JLL

Laurie Lam
Chief Brand Officer
e.l.f.

Titi Cole
Board Director
Citigroup and Datadog
Titi Cole
Board Director
Citigroup and Datadog
Titi Cole is an experienced Board Director, Financial Services C-Suite Executive, and Global business leader. She serves on the Boards of Citigroup, (NYSE: C), and Datadog (NASDAQ: DDOG) a leading provider of cloud monitoring and security solutions.
In her last role at Citigroup, she was the CEO of Legacy Franchises and a member of the Executive Management Team where she managed and successfully divested the international consumer banking division with over 70,000 employees in 14 countries. Ms. Cole is known for her expertise in transforming large publicly traded financial institutions to deliver innovative solutions that drive growth. She is recognized in the financial services industry as a dynamic leader and for her skill at leading high-performing teams and delivering business results in fast-paced environments. She has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services, payments, and professional services industries, including six years at McKinsey & Company.
She is also a Board Trustee at CARE USA, Queens University of Charlotte, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, CFR, and The Executive Leadership Council, ELC. Ms. Cole serves as Executive Director of Development for the Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation, a nonprofit focused on improving awareness, support, and health outcomes for people living with Sickle Cell disease.

Hari Panday
Board Member
Ontario Securities Commission

John Driver
Independent Director
CityFirst Bank

Judy Marks
Chair, CEO and President
Otis Worldwide Corporation
Judy Marks
Chair, CEO and President
Otis Worldwide Corporation
In her nearly 40 years in industry, Judy Marks has witnessed technological advances while applying emerging and mature technologies in a way that benefits society. She is leading Otis through a digital and cultural transformation that will drive its long-term success returning to an independent, publicly traded company. Otis is the world’s leading company for elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service.
Today, Otis is taking its deep knowledge of the hoistway and using it to create digital solutions that serve customers’ needs in an era of intelligent buildings. This includes IoT-based service solutions with proactive data analytics for predictive maintenance; advanced video analytics and dispatching systems to manage varying traffic patterns; and a new generation of elevators that are connected, data rich, safer, healthier, and more intelligent, efficient and comfortable than ever.
“Our 71,000 colleagues are on a journey together into the future,” she says. “We’re continuing to innovate, to find new business models, to serve customers with excellence and to disrupt ourselves to become an end-to-end enabler of passenger mobility in a taller, faster, smarter world.”
Judy joined Otis in October 2017 as President. She was appointed CEO in June 2019 and in April 2020 led the successful spin of Otis to an independent publicly traded company on the NYSE. In February 2022, Judy was also named Chair of Otis. Prior to Otis, she held senior leadership roles at three global icons – IBM, Lockheed Martin and Siemens AG where she served as CEO of both Siemens USA and Dresser-Rand, a Siemens business.
“People make a decision every day about what kind of work they’re going to do,” she says. “That’s what I love about Otis colleagues – we know that what we do matters. Across 200 countries and territories, we service over 2.3 million units and touch 2.3 billion people every day to keep the world moving.”
Judy serves on the Board of Directors of Otis Worldwide Corporation, Caterpillar Inc. and AdvanceCT. She is a member of the Business Roundtable and Chair of its Trade and International Committee, and a member of the U.S.-India CEO Forum. She earned a degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University.

Janice Ellig
CEO
Ellig Group
Janice Ellig
CEO
Ellig Group
Janice Ellig, CEO of Ellig Group, works closely with CEOs, boards, and C-suite executives to assess and place top talent, ensuring alignment with a company’s strategy, culture, and purpose. She has over 20 years of experience as a corporate Human Resources and Marketing executive at Pfizer, Citibank, and Ambac Financial Group. She played a significant role in Ambac’s initial public offering.
Janice’s leadership is marked by a steadfast commitment to excellence and innovation in the executive search industry, particularly focused on enhancing the C-suite and boardrooms with executives who reflect an organization’s constituents—employees, customers, communities, and shareholders. Janice’s influence and strategic approach to recruitment have garnered global recognition, earning her the title of one of “The World’s Most Influential Headhunters” by Bloomberg Businessweek.
A respected author and speaker, Janice has been featured in The Financial Times, Forbes.com, Directors & Boards, Corporate Board Director and other leading publications. She has co-authored influential books, including Driving the Career Highway and What Every Successful Woman Knows, which Bloomberg Businessweek hailed as “the best of its genre.” Believing that giving back is both a privilege and a responsibility, Janice has extensive non-profit leadership experience. She currently serves as Board member of Girls Inc. of NYC, Board member of Paradigm for Parity, Trustee of the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED), member of The Economic Club of New York (ECNY), and member of the Leadership Council of the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund). She previously served as Chair of the University of Iowa Foundation, Chair of the YMCA Board of Greater New York, Director of the National YMCA, and Trustee of the Entertainment Community Fund. Janice is also the former President of the Women’s Forum of New York, where she founded and launched the Corporate Board Initiative and its signature event, the Breakfast of Corporate Champions, which honors companies that exceed the national average of female representation on their boards.
Strategic Sponsorship Opportunities
Access decision-makers committed to improving governance and board leadership, elevate your brand, and provide your women talent with exclusive opportunities in board-readiness programming and events.
Engage
Connect with your key audience in a credible, high-impact format that builds lasting business relationships while positioning your brand at the center of a powerful network of corporate leaders.
Influence
Establish your thought leadership, showcase your expertise, and demonstrate your commitment to business excellence and corporate responsibility among industry leaders actively seeking insights and solutions.
Advance
Empower your women leaders with direct access to boardroom insights and influential networks, creating meaningful connections around today's most critical governance and business challenges that benefit your entire organization.
For sponsorship inquiries, please email Director of Development Shane Cullen at shane@5050wob.com.
Your Experience
Strategic Networking
Connect with Decision-Makers Who Matter
Gain exclusive access to sitting corporate directors, industry influencers, and C-suite executives who are actively shaping the future of board governance. Our curated networking experiences throughout the day enable you to build meaningful relationships and connections with peers and leaders in support of your board journey.
Insights & Key Learnings
Master the Issues Driving Boardroom Success
Discover how top-performing boards navigate today's most critical challenges, from geopolitical risk and technological disruption to activist pressure and reputation management. Learn the strategic frameworks and governance practices that distinguish high-performing companies, and gain actionable insights you can immediately apply to strengthen your board readiness and leadership impact.
Research & Data:
Access Exclusive Intelligence That Shape Strategies
Get first access to proprietary research and performance data that reveals what truly drives boardroom excellence. You'll leave with the data-driven intelligence that informs strategic decisions and strengthens your value proposition as a board director or candidate.
Our Community
Your Path to the Boardroom™
Become part of an exclusive community of ambitious leaders, board-ready professionals, and influential directors committed to advancing excellence in governance. Our network extends far beyond The Summit through ongoing mentorship opportunities, strategic introductions, and insider access to board opportunities. When you engage with us, you're not just attending an event—you're joining a movement.
NYC Financial District
Venue: 48 Wall Street, Lower Manhattan
Date: Sept. 17, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Connect with your key audience in a credible, high-impact format that builds lasting business relationships while positioning your brand at the center of a powerful network of corporate leaders, board directors, and forward-thinking executives who are actively shaping the future of governance.
Hotel Options
Below is a selection of hotels within walking distance or a short cab ride from our Financial District venue. Please book your hotel of choice as rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hotel Indigo Wall Street
Located in New York City's Financial District, Hotel Indigo Downtown Wall Street blends modern comfort with historic charm. Start your day with breakfast at Buttonwood Café, explore nearby landmarks like South Street Seaport and the Statue of Liberty, and unwind with rooftop cocktails and skyline views. Enjoy stylish rooms with plush bedding, upscale amenities, and noise-canceling windows. A chic retreat in the heart of Lower Manhattan.
Gild Hall
Welcome to a Lower Manhattan original. Just steps from Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and the Seaport, Gild Hall, a Thompson Hotel, is a refined retreat in the heart of the Financial District. Designed by mid-century modern expert Jim Walrod and featuring photography by Slim Aarons, the interiors blend timeless style with modern comfort. Explore The Battery, visit Pier 17, or ferry to Brooklyn, then return for Italian cuisine and craft cocktails at our restaurant and wine bar.
New York Marriott Downtown
Rising above the streets of Lower Manhattan, the New York Marriott Downtown blends classic style with modern luxury. Enjoy sweeping waterfront views, curated interiors, and exceptional service. Relax in rooms designed by local creatives, dine at Bill’s Bar & Burger, or explore nearby landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, and Wall Street. Whether you're here for a getaway, a wedding, or a meeting, our downtown hotel offers elevated experiences in the heart of the city.
Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial District
Stay steps from the Staten Island Ferry and Battery Park at Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center. Perfectly located for exploring Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and Lower Manhattan, the hotel is within a mile of Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and the 9/11 Memorial. Enjoy breakfast or dinner at The Garden Grille & Bar, and grab snacks or drinks anytime from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry. Comfortable rooms and unmatched convenience make this a smart choice in the heart of downtown.
DoubleTree by Hilton New York Downtown
Located in Manhattan’s Financial District, DoubleTree by Hilton New York Downtown offers easy access to Battery Park, the Staten Island Ferry, and top subway lines. Just steps from Whitehall and South Ferry Stations, you’re minutes from Times Square, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. Enjoy all-day dining at Antica Ristorante, free WiFi, and the signature DoubleTree cookie at check-in: your downtown stay starts here.
Additional Information About The GLOBAL SUMMIT
Click this link to register.
Please contact our Events Team at events@5050wob.com.
Every individual registration includes:
- Access to the panels, sessions, and the networking reception from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
- A light breakfast, seated lunch, coffee and refreshments throughout the day.
- Networking cocktail reception.
- Please refer to our agenda for specific times.
We recommend business attire. There will be a step and repeat for photo opportunities and a photographer on site.
Venue: 48 Wall St.
Location: Lower Manhattan, Financial District, New York City.
- From Newark airport: Take I-78 E/Holland Tunnel to Broadway, Wall St. in Manhattan, New York.
- Subway: Wall St: Subway services 2, 3
There will be an area to store bags or luggage but please note there is no coat-check or attendant.
Charging stations will not be available and we recommend you bring a portable charging block if you anticipate needing to power your phone or computer.
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
Tactics that Work: Case Studies in Navigating Shareholder Activism
Inside the Boardroom: Resilience Planning in Action
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