Global Summit

The Future Board Agenda: Reforming Corporate Governance

September 17, 2026

12:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

48 Wall Street, New York, NY

The Global Summit

The Global Summit brings together corporate directors, executives, and global leaders for a dynamic, forward-looking conversation on the future of board leadership. Anchored by this year’s theme, The Future Board Agenda: Reforming Corporate Governance, the program explores the forces shaping boardrooms today, including leadership under pressure, reputation risk, technological transformation, capital markets, and the evolving demands of resilient, high-performing boards.

KEYNOTE

Governing What Comes Next

What does board leadership require in a world where volatility is no longer episodic, but structural? When does the pace of change exceed traditional governance cycles?

Member of the House of Lords

Board Member, Chevron, Condé Nast and Starbucks

Dambisa Moyo transparent background small

Agenda

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Registration

12:00 - 12:20 PM

Welcome & Setting the Stage

12:20 - 12:45 PM

12:45 - 1:15 PM

1:15 - 2:15 PM

Lunch & Networking

2:15 - 3:15 PM

Dialogue #1: Risk, Resilience & Reputation: AI, Cyber and the New Oversight Standard

Speakers: Sonita Lontoh, June Yang

Dialogue #2: The Future of Leadership: Succession & Power Transfer in Public Companies

Moderator: Gloria Lin

3:15 - 3:25 PM

Presentation of our 2026 50 Women to Watch Honorees Cohort

3:25 - 3:45 PM

Networking Break

3:45 - 4:45 PM

Room A: Board Composition and Succession Strategy (Directors Only | Closed Session)

Gloria Lin

Room B: Capital, Growth & Long-Term Value (Investors, Directors and Corporate Executives)

Lori Keith

4:45 - 5:00 PM

Networking Break

5:00 - 5:45 PM

5:45 - 6:00 PM

Closing Remarks & Leadership Commitments

6:00 - 7:00 PM

Cocktail Reception

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Speakers

WOMEN AND ALLIES
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WOMEN ON THEIR BOARD JOURNEYS
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Dedicated volunteer leaders
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Strategic networking events
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Past Speakers

Featured Speakers Carla Vernón

Carla Vernón

CEO and Board Director, The Honest Company

Featured Speakers Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba

Founder and Board Member, The Honest Company

michael miebach headshot

Michael Miebach

CEO

Mastercard

Featured Speakers Valerie Jarrett

Valerie Jarrett

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

David Chun Equilar

David Chun

Founder & CEO

Equilar

Featured Speakers Whitney Wolfe Herd

Whitney Wolfe Herd

Founder, CEO, Bumble

Featured Speakers María Ariza

María Ariza

CEO, BIVA

Brian Moynihan

Brian Moynihan

CEO

Bank of America

Featured Speakers Melinda French Gates

Melinda French Gates

Co-Founder, Gates Foundation

Enrique Lores Headshot

Enrique Lores

Former President & CEO

HP

Featured Speakers Mellody Hobson

Mellody Hobson

CEO & President, Ariel Investments, LLC

Herman Bulls

Herman E. Bulls

Vice Chairman

Americas of JLL

Laurie Lam Headshot

Laurie Lam

Chief Brand Officer

e.l.f.

Titi Cole

Titi Cole

Board Director

Citigroup and Datadog

Hari Panday Headshot

Hari Panday

Board Member

Ontario Securities Commission

John Driver

Independent Director

CityFirst Bank

Judy Marks

Judy Marks

Chair, CEO and President

Otis Worldwide Corporation

janice ellig headshot transparent

Janice Ellig

CEO

Ellig Group

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Sponsorship Opportunities

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Sponsor Benefits

For sponsorship inquiries, please email Shane Cullen, Director of Development at shane@5050wob.com.

NYC Financial District

Venue: 48 Wall Street, Lower Manhattan

Date: Sept. 17, 2026

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.

FAQs

How do I register?

Click this link to register for The Global Summit.

Click this link to register for the Breakfast of Corporate Champions.

Who do I contact with questions about registration?

Please contact our Events Team at events@5050wob.com.

What does Global Summit registration include?

Access to all Global Summit events including the panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking reception from 11:00AM – 7:00PM ET on September 17.

Your Global Summit ticket does not include registration for The Breakfast of Corporate Champions.

What does the Breakfast of Corporate Champions registration include?

Access to the breakfast, awards ceremony, and panels during the entire Breakfast of Corporate Champions from 7:00AM – 10:00AM ET on September 17.

What should I wear?

We recommend business attire. There will be a step-and-repeat for photo opportunities and a photographer on site.

How do I get there?

Both events on the 17th will take place at 48 Wall Street in the financial district in lower Manhattan.

By subway: Take the 2,3, 4 or 5 train to Wall Street

From Newark Airport: Take I-78 E/Holland Tunnel to Broadway, Wall St. in Manhattan, NY

Will there be a coat check?

There will be an area to store bags or luggage but please note there is no coat-check or attendant.

Are there charging stations?

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.

Agenda

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Registration

12:00 PM – 12:20 PM

Welcome & Setting the Stage

12:20 PM – 12:45 PM

Keynote: Governing What Comes Next

Featured Speaker:

Baroness Dambisa Moyo of Knightsbridge Member of the House of Lords Board Member, Chevron, Condé Nast and Starbucks
12:45 PM – 1:15 PM

The Global Reality Check: The World Has Changed. Has Your Board?

Moderator:

Hema Widhani Chief Experience, Brand & Marketing Officer Edward Jones

Speakers:

Jan Elizabeth Tighe Retired Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy, Independent Director, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, and the Huntsman Corporation
Laysha Ward Author, Board Member, C-Suite Leader, Speaker
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Lunch & Networking

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM

Director Dialogue Series

Dialogue #1: Risk, Resilience & Reputation: AI, Cyber and the New Oversight Standard

Speakers:

Sonita Lontoh Board Member, Sunrun and TrueBlue Partner, Alpha
June Yang Board Member UiPath, NetApp, and MSCI

Dialogue #2: The Future of Leadership: Succession & Power Transfer in Public Companies

Moderator:

Gloria Lin Senior Managing Director Evercore
3:15 PM – 3:25 PM

Presentation of our 2026 50 Women to Watch Honorees Cohort

3:25 PM – 3:45 PM

Networking Break

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

Breakout Sessions

Room A: Board Composition and Succession Strategy (Directors Only | Closed Session)


Gloria Lin Senior Managing Director Evercore

Room B: Capital, Growth & Long-Term Value (Investors, Directors and Corporate Executives)


Lori Keith Portfolio Manager Parnassus Investments
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM

Networking Break

5:00 PM – 5:45 PM

The Global Debate: Public Trust — When Should Boards Speak?

Moderator:

Kimberly Petillo-Décossard Co-Head, Global Mergers & Acquisitions and Partner White & Case

Speakers:

Dr. Sylvia Johnson Senior Executive and Presidential Appointee to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
Ed Magee Chief Operating Officer Belmont University's Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine
5:45 PM – 6:00 PM

Closing Remarks & Leadership Commitments

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Cocktail Reception

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