The New Workforce Equation: Generations + GenAI + Governance

April 23, 2026 | The New Workforce Equation: Generations + GenAI + Governance

Steelcase WorkLife Design Center, 811 West Fulton Market, Chicago
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

“The New Workforce Equation” convened directors for a focused, highly interactive discussion on how evolving workforce dynamics are reshaping boardroom priorities.

Opening remarks from Cheryl Francis (HNI Corporation) and Tim Smith (Steelcase) reinforced a central theme: workforce strategy is now a governance issue—directly tied to culture, performance, and long-term value.

Key Insights

• GenAI & the Workforce (Holly Baumgart): Boards must sharpen oversight as AI reshapes roles, risk, and decision-making.
• Multi-Generational Workforce (Tom Carroll): Shifting expectations are redefining engagement, culture, and retention.

A panel featuring Frank Jaehnert and Linda Myers connected these themes to real boardroom scenarios, followed by curated peer breakouts that enabled candid, experience-driven dialogue.

The closing session with John Bremen (WTW; Forbes contributor) translated insights into practical board actions—emphasizing how directors can embed workforce considerations into strategy and oversight.

The program concluded with a private lunch at Boqueria West Loop, extending the conversation and reinforcing NACD’s signature blend of education and peer connection.

Director Takeaways

• Workforce strategy is a board-level priority.
• GenAI requires active governance oversight.
• Culture and generational dynamics are shifting fast.
• Peer exchange remains critical for navigating change.

Overall, the program delivered clear, actionable insights directors can immediately apply in the boardroom.

Here are some resources that capture the substance of the session:

• Spark Talk Recaps (Holly Baumgart and Tom Carroll) – Holly’s one-page Takeaway for Boards, and a synthesis of Tom’s key themes on generational workforce dynamics.
• Breakout Synthesis – Includes, for each of the four questions, a one-paragraph answer, a practical application, key points made across the groups, and a shortlist of the most provocative points reported. Thank you, Catalysts!

We have worked to reflect the input from the room as directly as possible so that you can revisit and share these insights with your boards and leadership teams.

“Let AI do the ordinary so humans can do the extraordinary…”

As highlighted in Linda Myers’ closing interview with John Bremen of WTW, below are several resources from John’s columns in Forbes that extend the discussion:

• Letting AI do the ordinary so humans can do the extraordinary
• Overcoming barriers to AI adoption in 2026
• Lessons in implementing board-level AI governance
• Brad Rachmiel from Protiviti also participated and shared this new piece on AI oversight: The Board Governance Imperative