What Business Leaders Need to Know About the Global Trade Shake-Up
C-Suite Perspectives
Globalization is being rewritten as geopolitics, trade, and industrial policy collide. Shifting alliances are reshaping markets, supply chains, and the balance of economic power. In this episode, Steve Odland of The Conference Board, speaks with Maria Demertzis about what these shifts mean for corporate decision-makers. Together, they share how business leaders can adapt to rising uncertainty and build resilience in a fragmented world. For more from The Conference Board:
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Are Companies Paying Enough Attention to AI Risks?
C-Suite Perspectives
Companies in the S&P 500 are increasingly disclosing AI-related risks. Find out what this means for C-Suite leaders and boards. More than 70% of the S&P 500 disclosed material AI risks in 2025, up from only 12% in 2023. What are the biggest AI-related risks for these companies, and how can they integrate AI into governance and risk frameworks? Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, principal researcher at the Governance & Sustainability Center of The Conference...
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How the Administration Aims to Change the Workplace
C-Suite Perspectives
The modern workplace is being reshaped by a sweeping “whole-of-government” approach to policy, enforcement, and regulation. From diversity and inclusion to AI and immigration, the Administration’s actions are influencing how both federal and private employers manage compliance, talent, and organizational risk. In this episode, Steve Odland speaks with Camille Olson, partner at Seyfarth, about what this evolving landscape means for business leaders. They explore how executive orders, agency directives, and litigation trends are redefining the boundaries between public...
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Can the US Grid Keep Up with the Demand for AI?
C-Suite Perspectives
Find out why a 1-2% increase in annual electricity demand could create stress to the US electrical grid. US electricity demand has been largely flat for 20 years, thanks to efficiency gains. But with rising power demand from AI, electric vehicles, and other forms of electrification, how can the US grid keep up? Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, PhD, senior economist at the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center of The Conference Board, to find out the current...
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The State of the Economy for October 2025
C-Suite Perspectives
What does the latest Consumer Confidence Index reveal about the economy’s true pulse amid a prolonged government shutdown? In this episode, host Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist and Center Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, talks with Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist of Global Indicators, both of The Conference Board, about the latest Consumer Confidence Index results and the ongoing federal government shutdown. They discuss how Americans are feeling about the economy, inflation, and the job market; early signs for the 2025 holiday shopping season;...
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The Politics and Real Costs of a Government Shutdown
C-Suite Perspectives
“This is a self-inflicted wound on our economy,” says former Congressman Ron Klein. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, CEO of The Conference Board, sits down with Klein to unpack the ongoing US government shutdown: what it really means, who it affects, and how it might end. Together, they explore the technical mechanics behind a shutdown, the political dynamics fueling it, and the ripple effects across the economy and private sector. Executives should monitor the shutdown’s downstream effects on consumer...
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How Corporate Sustainability Went from Optional to Essential
C-Suite Perspectives
In just a few decades, corporate sustainability has grown into a core corporate function, particularly at publicly traded companies. What is the state of corporate sustainability in 2025, and how will it evolve in the coming decade? Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, principal researcher at The Conference Board’s Governance & Sustainability Center, to find out what “corporate sustainability” means, why most companies are embracing a hybrid model, and where sustainability leaders see the function evolving next. For more from The...
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Activism Has Gone Mainstream. How Can CEOs Respond?
C-Suite Perspectives
Learn what the latest research on US shareholder activism can teach CEOs and boards. Activism has evolved from a niche effort to a mainstream investment strategy, with campaigns in the US quadrupling since 2018. Learn how activists are targeting not only small-cap firms but increasingly large S&P 500 companies, using sophisticated communication strategies and exempt solicitations to influence boards. Join Steve Odland and guest Matteo Tonello, Head of TCB Benchmarking and Analytics at The Conference Board, to find out what’s behind the surge in activism campaigns, how...
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CEO Confidence Dips Slightly in Q4 2025
C-Suite Perspectives
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Chief Economist Dana M. Peterson sits down with Associate Economist Allen Li to unpack the latest findings from The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence™ in collaboration with The Business Council. CEO confidence slipped slightly to 48 (down from 49), signaling cautious optimism among US business leaders amid ongoing tariff uncertainty and geopolitical risks. Dana and Allen explore what’s driving sentiment among Fortune 500 executives, from their views on the broader economy and their own industries to evolving workforce and...
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How Well Do You Know Your Suppliers? Here Are the Risks
C-Suite Perspectives
The US and the EU are both cracking down on human rights violations in the supply chain. What should the C-Suite and board do to avoid not just regulatory penalties but also reputational damage? Join Steve Odland and guest Andrew Jones, principal researcher at The Conference Board Governance & Sustainability Center, to find out what human rights means in a supply chain setting, the challenges of assessing multiple tiers of suppliers, and what boards should do next. For more from The Conference Board: ...
info_outlineFind out why a 1-2% increase in annual electricity demand could create stress to the US electrical grid.
US electricity demand has been largely flat for 20 years, thanks to efficiency gains. But with rising power demand from AI, electric vehicles, and other forms of electrification, how can the US grid keep up?
Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, PhD, senior economist at the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center of The Conference Board, to find out the current pressures on power generation and distribution, what kinds of investment are required, and how higher power demand affects US businesses and consumers.
For more from The Conference Board: