Celebrating 15 Years

Dai

Shi

Chief Financial Officer

Mission Square

Washington,

District of Columbia

2025 Cohort

Industry

Financial Services

Area of Expertise

Finance

Immediately Qualified to Serve

Finance

Previous Board Experience

Nonprofit, Private

Dai Shi is an experienced executive with extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), international expansion, initial public offerings (IPOs), turnarounds, and addressing complex HR, sales, and operational challenges. Dai focuses on driving growth while maintaining sustainable profit margins. She believes the financial services industry is the first responder to everyone’s economic health — an extraordinary responsibility to society.
When serving as the shadow CFO of AXA Southeast Asia between 2011 and 2015, Dai successfully navigated numerous M&A transactions, notably the 2013 AXA-Tian Ping acquisition, a 500m Euro deal. This transaction, amongst other joint ventures, has driven AXA’s international expansion efforts in Asia, delivering double-digit growth in top-line and earnings.

Dai was one of the core members who prepared Equitable [ Former AXA US] for IPO in May 2018. Currently serving as the CFO of a DC-based Investment Advisory Firm, her leadership has revitalized organizations by implementing effective strategies to restore profitability and growth. From 2020 to 2023, Dai led the business to profitability and positive cash flows.

Known for her strong communication skills and collaborative approach, Dai effectively serves on boards besides the Washington Ballet Company: The Mission Square Foundation and the Illinois State Society. Dai chairs the Finance Committee of the Center of Public Administration and Services. She previously served on The Well NYC’s finance and compensation committee, a mission-driven wellness-focused organization based in New York City.

Dai holds an MBA from the University of Illinois and has earned certificates from Columbia University and the University of Geneva. Dai received the certificate in Business Excellence from the Wharton Executive Program in 2025, further solidifying her expertise through continuous learning and professional development.

Born in Shanghai, Dai has lived in Chicago, New York, Paris, Hong Kong, and DC. She has traveled to eighty-four countries for business and pleasure. She understands developed and emerging markets and brings a unique perspective to business challenges. Dai is also board-certified, adding a formal credential to her role and underscoring her expertise in corporate governance.

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.