Trust as a Strategic Asset: Optimizing the Board–CEO Relationship

Join us for an engaging conversation about the NACD’s 2025 Blue Ribbon Commission Report, Building a High‑Trust Board‑CEO Relationship.

This essential report provides a three-step framework designed to strengthen the partnership between boards and CEOs, focusing on trust, agility, and long-term strategic impact. Peter Gleason, President & CEO of NACD, will moderate the discussion, offering insights from the Commission’s findings and how boards can put these recommendations into action. The panel features Dona Young, non-executive chair of Foot Locker, and Maggie Wilderotter, Chair of DocuSign and a director at Costco, both bringing decades of leadership experience in governance. They’ll dive into practical ways to clarify roles, build trust, and improve communication, all while ensuring the board is aligned with the CEO on strategic priorities. You’ll leave with actionable tools to boost board effectiveness—such as role-clarification templates, executive session frameworks, and methods for building trust through regular feedback and wellness checks.

This session is perfect for independent directors, board chairs, CEOs, and governance professionals looking to elevate their board‑CEO relationships and create more resilient, future-ready organizations.

3:00-3:30 PM     Registration and Networking
3:30-5:00 PM     Program and Q&A
5:00-6:30 PM     Cocktail Reception

Moderator

Peter Gleason

Peter Gleason has been the CEO of NACD since 2017. He has served in a variety of roles during his tenure at NACD, including President, CFO, COO, Managing Director, and VP of Research and Development. Gleason is a recognized expert on board leadership and corporate governance...

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