Celebrating 15 Years

Kara

Pelecky

CIO and SVP

American Bureau of Shipping

Spring,

Texas

2025 Cohort

Industry

Technology

Area of Expertise

Cybersecurity

Immediately Qualified to Serve

Technology

Previous Board Experience

Private

Bringing creative leadership, out-of-the-box thinking, and a laser focus on game-changing solutions that address complex business challenges, Kara Pelecky is an acknowledged expert in translating sophisticated commercial strategy into operational blueprints that deliver mandated objectives. Often the architect of frameworks underpinning competitive advantage, the cornerstone of her career has been an ability to positively impact enterprise performance in a global environment of increasing risk, ambiguity, & opportunity.

Kara accepted her first C-suite mandate in 2013 to lead the Technology Organization essential for the launch of the GCC’s first four nuclear power plants. A green-field role that broke ground on a novel industry sector, as CIO of Nawah Energy Company UAE, she helped inaugurate an era of nuclear power generation across the GCC. A designated front runner for all operating activities, she firstly conceived, and then began to roll-out, a rigorous start-up to scale-up agenda, starting from page 1 in authoring the entire operating blueprint spanning requirements definition, sourcing, and management of full-scale, integrated technology solutions/functionality. She created best practice governance/quality programs and mission-critical capability transfer buttressing an acclaimed 2020 commissioning program and the ongoing growth of the industry to this day.

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.