In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, host Dottie Schindlinger talks with Tracey-Lee Brown, director at PwC’s Governance Insights Center, about the latest update to PwC’s ESG Corporate Directors Guide and how boards should navigate today’s politicized sustainability landscape.  They explore shifting from a rear‑view, compliance-only mindset to a forward‑looking strategy: identifying material topics, tying them to purpose and long‑term value, and embedding them into ERM and capital allocation.   

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Catie Hall and Ariel Smilowitz from PwC’s Governance Insights Center unpack findings from PwC’s Annual Corporate Directors Survey and translate them into practical actions for boards. They explore growing pressure for board refreshment, the need for personal accountability and continuous learning, and why many assessments still don’t drive meaningful change. The conversation closes with a pragmatic roadmap for directors and board leaders, plus how generative AI is beginning to support board work. 

In this episode of The Corporate Director Podcast, Rich Mullen, Partner in Wilson Sonsini’s M&A Practice, and Ranga Bodla, Vice President, Field Engagement and Marketing at NetSuite, Meghan Day to unpack a new joint report exploring transaction readiness in today’s unpredictable market. The conversation dives into governance gaps, board alignment, tech adoption, and the evolving role of boards in M&A activity. Discover why companies are rethinking transactions, how economic uncertainty and limited resources reshape dealmaking, and what opportunities AI offers for future transactions. Whether you’re navigating an acquisition or seeking best practices in board engagement and tech enablement, this episode delivers fresh insights from industry leaders and real survey data. 

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast Catie Hall, Director at PwC’s Governance Insights Center, unpacks how boards can stay ahead in a fast-changing cyber landscape. She spotlights the need for ongoing director education to tackle threats like AI and global instability, urges hands-on prep with tabletop exercises, and advocates building stronger board-CISO ties through frequent, candid conversations. Catie makes it clear: directors must engage across the organization and ask tough questions to drive real cyber resilience. 

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Neta Meidav, Co-Founder and CEO of the Vault Platform and Lloydette Bai-Marrow, Director at Fraud Sentinel discuss the "failure to prevent fraud" offense under the UK Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which came into effect on September 1st. This new regulation significantly impacts large companies, both within and outside the UK, by transferring corporate criminal liability if they fail to implement reasonable fraud prevention measures. Netta and Lloydette share insights on how internal compliance teams can prepare for this change. They emphasize the importance of effective whistleblowing mechanisms, robust internal controls, and a culture of accountability within organizations.  

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Cindy Moehring, an experienced independent director and former Chief Compliance Officer, discusses the evolving role of compliance officers in today's complex regulatory environment. Cindy shares her insights on the biggest challenges facing compliance teams, particularly in global organizations, and highlights the importance of technology in enhancing compliance programs. Cindy's insights are timely, coming on the heels of Diligent being named a Leader in the 2025 IDC MarketScape for Worldwide GRC Software, a recognition that underscores the growing importance of advanced GRC technology in compliance programs.

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Claudia Allen, Senior Advisor at KPMG’s Board Leadership Center, shares insights from KPMG’s Board Leadership Center recent survey of private company boards. The discussion covers challenges in strategic planning, the importance of scenario planning, and navigating the impact of AI on private companies.  

This episode of the Corporate Director Podcast features Beena Ammanath, Global Head of Deloitte's AI Institute. Beena discusses her career background in AI and her perspectives on responsible AI adoption. She shares her insights on the importance of AI literacy, decision-making frameworks, and the need for leaders to proactively address workforce disruptions caused by AI integration. She emphasizes the responsibility of leaders to define new job roles and provide continuous learning opportunities to nurture emerging talent in an AI-driven world.  

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Nick Shevelyov discusses the rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape driven by generative AI, highlighting its dual role in empowering both threat actors and defenders. The conversation covers emerging threats such as sophisticated spear phishing attacks and deep fakes. Nick also discusses effective cyber defense strategies, emphasizing the need to balance investment in AI-native technologies with good cyber hygiene practices.  

This episode of the Corporate Director Podcast features Alan Murray discussing the Wall Street Journal's recent release of the Top 250 Board Directors List. Murray digs into how the list was created, what criteria really make a great board director, and how the qualities of a good leader have changed over time.  

In this episode, hosts Dottie Schindlinger and Meghan Day delve into the creation and legacy of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) with insights from notable guests. Mike Levy discusses the implications of a congressional bill which proposed to eliminate the PCAOB and transfer its responsibilities to the SEC. Sherron Watkins and Cynthia Cooper, known for exposing the Enron and WorldCom frauds respectively, share their perspectives on the importance of maintaining strong audit oversight and the potential consequences of dismantling the PCAOB and similar audit oversight bodies. 

In this episode of the Corporate Director podcast, Dottie Schindlinger is joined by Arielle Berlin, who discusses findings from PwC's annual C-suite survey on board effectiveness. In this episode, Arielle dives into how C-suite members rate the board, the issues they want the board to discuss more, areas of expertise they want the board to have, and more.   

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Dottie Schindlinger is joined by Alicia Syrett, the founder of Madam Chair, a network of over 300 female chairs and lead directors of publicly traded companies. Alicia shares her personal journey from finance to her current role as a board chair and the inspiration behind creating Madam Chair. This episode highlights the importance of peer support and the evolving landscape of corporate governance.  

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Brian Kushner, Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, explores the complex challenges facing today’s corporate boards. From political uncertainty and tariff disruptions to rising executive turnover and the evolving role of activist investors, Brian shares practical strategies boards can use to stay resilient in a volatile world.  

In this episode of The Corporate Director Podcast, we sit down with Mike Meyer, Principal at Meridian Compensation Partners. He discusses the growing importance of CEO security. The conversation delves into recent incidents, the factors that make certain companies more vulnerable, and the steps boards can take to enhance CEO security. It also explores the integration of security measures into compensation packages, the associated costs, and the evolving role of the board. 

In this episode of The Corporate Director Podcast, we sit down with Claudia Allen, Senior Advisor at KPMG’s Board Leadership Center. The conversation delves into survey findings that highlight the current state of AI adoption at organizations and key concerns for directors. Claudia offers valuable advice on staying informed about AI and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape. If you’re looking to learn more about how to navigate AI adoption at your organization, read more here.  

In this episode of The Corporate Director Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Roy, Managing Director, Head of Issuer and BigDough Solutions, S&P Global. Kevin discusses the findings of the report 'IR as a Competitive Advantage.' He shares insights on the role of Investor Relations (IR) in achieving higher valuations and reduced volatility, the evolution of the IR function in the post-pandemic world and the importance of credibility, trust, and responsiveness in IR. The discussion also highlights the growing significance of ESG and AI in maintaining a competitive edge in the IR landscape. 

In this episode of The Corporate Director Podcast, hosts Dottie Schindlinger and Meghan Day talk with Kristy Grant-Hart, Vice President and Head of Advisory Services at Spark Compliance. Kristy discusses the biggest compliance risks facing businesses today, including modern slavery, due diligence, and AI regulations. She shares insights on how companies can better manage these risks and the importance of training to mitigate bribery and corruption in supply chains. The conversation also explores the role of Chief Compliance Officers and how they can advocate for themselves in board meetings. 

In this episode of The Corporate Director Podcast, we’re joined by Doug Schnell and Sebastian Alsheimer, partners at Wilson Sonsini. The conversation centers around shareholder engagement trends and the evolving landscape of shareholder activism as we approach the 2025 proxy season. The guests share their insights on how the new U.S. presidential administration's stance on DEI and ESG might impact corporate governance. They also provide practical advice for directors and corporate leaders on navigating the ESG/DEI backlash, protecting against shareholder activism, and fostering effective shareholder engagement. 

In this episode of The Corporate Director Podcast, Ana Dutra, a former CEO and seasoned board member, discusses the critical challenges and priorities facing corporate boards. Ana shares her insights on strategic planning, CEO succession, the risks of speaking out on social issues, managing geopolitical risks, and the integration of generative AI into business strategies. The episode provides valuable advice for boards looking to optimize their performance.