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C-Suite Perspectives
Welcome to C-Suite Perspectives, a podcast series by The Conference Board. Hosted by our President & CEO, Steve Odland, this weekly conversation will take an objective, data-driven look at a range of business topics aimed at executives. Listeners will come away with what The Conference Board does best: Trusted Insights for What's Ahead™.
Episodes
C-Suite PerspectivesEurope's Workers Are Ready for AI—Are Their Organizations?
Europe's workers may be more prepared for AI-driven change than their employers. While 78% say their organization helped them adapt to recent major change…
C-Suite PerspectivesState of the Economy for October 2026: Consumer Confidence Rises, CEO Confidence Falls
Consumer confidence rebounded in October, while CEO confidence moved back into negative territory in the fourth quarter. What do these contrasting readings…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow to Build Retirement Income That Lasts: Prudential's Phil Waldeck
Americans are living longer, transforming retirement security from a question of how much people can save into a more complicated challenge: how to turn those…
C-Suite PerspectivesWhy Tariffs and Protectionism Are Here to Stay+ 4 Other Certainties
Focusing on what's certain can help business leaders make timely decisions. But beneath this ambiguity are five certainties that offer a basis for action…
C-Suite PerspectivesWhat Will Define AI Winners: Former Cisco CEO John Chambers
AI is advancing so quickly that companies may need to rethink their strategies every nine to 12 months. But keeping pace is not simply a matter of adopting…
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How Solar and Battery Storage Can Meet Rising US Power Demand
After two decades of relatively flat US electricity consumption, power demand is growing again as AI, data centers, and advanced manufacturing expand. Solar…
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How NetApp CEO George Kurian Turns Disruption into Opportunity
An established company can be profitable and still lose its place in the future. Avoiding that fate requires treating disruption as an opportunity, preserving…
C-Suite PerspectivesWhy the Best CEOs Act as Catalysts, Not Commanders
No CEO can personally master every technological, geopolitical, and economic challenge confronting a modern organization. The leadership advantage now comes…
C-Suite PerspectivesSalary Budgets Are Flat—But Jobs and Skills Are Changing Fast
US salary increase budgets are projected to remain at 3.5% in 2027, unchanged from 2026. But stability in the headline number does not mean the workforce—or…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow Better Boards Navigate Disruption and Transformation
Strategic errors rarely begin as obviously bad decisions but emerge when a strategy outlives the assumptions on which it was built—and leaders fail to…
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State of the Economy for September 2026: Consumer Confidence Takes a Tumble
US Consumer Confidence fell to 81.9 in September, marking a third consecutive monthly decline. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, The Conference Board's…
C-Suite PerspectivesLeading for the Next Generation: Graybar CEO Kathy Mazzarella
What changes when employees are not only part of a company but its owners? At Graybar, employee ownership has fostered a long-term approach to leadership—one…
C-Suite PerspectivesWhy Empathy Is a CEO's Strategic Advantage: Terumo CEO Antoinette Gawin
Leading a global organization does not mean making every decision yourself. It means creating enough strategic clarity for people to act, understanding the…
C-Suite PerspectivesWhy AI Alone Won't Fix Health Care Staffing: Covista CEO Steve Beard
The US has no shortage of people who want careers in health care—or employers eager to hire them. Yet tens of thousands of qualified nursing and medical-school…
C-Suite PerspectivesFrom Vinyl to AI: What the Music Industry Teaches Business About Disruption
Few industries have survived as many waves of disruption as music—from vinyl and MTV to streaming, AI, and now virtual artists. The performers who endure do…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow AI Is Changing Health Care - from Diagnosis to Discharge
Health care systems face a widening capacity challenge: an aging population and rising rates of chronic illness are increasing demand for care, while…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow CEOs Lead Through Uncertainty: Zoetis CEO Kristin Peck
Leadership does not get easier—leaders get better at doing hard things. For Kristin Peck, navigating uncertainty requires discipline, a growth mindset, and the…
C-Suite PerspectivesCan Climate Goals Survive the AI Energy Boom?
The era of corporate climate pledges is giving way to the harder work of execution. As 2030 deadlines approach and AI drives demand for energy and…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow AI Is Reshaping the Future of Employee Reward
Reward is moving out of the HR back office and into the heart of business strategy. From improving frontline productivity to navigating AI and pay…
C-Suite PerspectivesIs Your Workplace Culture Ready for AI?
A strong culture can help an organization navigate disruption—but the same beliefs and behaviors that drove success in the past can become barriers when the…
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September Fed Rate Hike? The Inflation Data That Will Decide
Could the Federal Reserve raise interest rates in September? Yelena Shulyatyeva, Senior US Economist for The Conference Board, analyzes Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's…
C-Suite PerspectivesFrom Small Bank to Regional Powerhouse: FNB's Playbook
FNB grew from a small bank into a major regional institution without abandoning the culture, communities, or risk discipline that helped make its expansion…
C-Suite PerspectivesState of the Economy for August 2026
Consumer confidence edged lower in August as expectations weakened, even as consumers' assessment of current conditions improved. Yelena Shulyatyeva, Senior US…
C-Suite PerspectivesWhy Prediction Markets Matter for Business Intelligence
Organizations have long relied on surveys, forecasts, and expert analysis to anticipate future risks and opportunities. Could prediction markets offer business…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow to Build the AI Skills Your Business Really Needs
Organizations are racing to prepare their people for AI—but many may already be training them for yesterday's technology. As AI advances, knowing how to prompt…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow E4E Relief Builds Workforce Resilience
Organizations invest heavily in technology and business continuity—but are they investing enough in the resilience of their people? As employee expectations…
C-Suite PerspectivesAmerica at 250: Can Americans Still Compromise?
As the US marks its 250th anniversary, what will it take to strengthen the institutions, leadership, and civic trust needed for the next 250 years? In this…
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How a Super El Niño Could Test Business Resilience
A super El Niño is forecast to bring more than extreme weather—it could reshape the global economy. From supply chains and insurance markets to commodity…
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The State of the Economy for July 2026
US consumer spending has been remarkedly resilient. But will consumers' patience run out? It's one of the questions on the minds of economists, including Allen…
C-Suite PerspectivesDoing a Carve-Out? Steve Sapletal from KPMG Explains How
2026 is being called "the year of the carve-out." Why are carve-outs so popular right now, and what makes such deals successful? Join Steve Odland and guest…
C-Suite PerspectivesBeyond AI Pilots: Building Future-Ready Companies
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, is joined by Nick Davis, Senior Fellow at The…
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America at 250: What's Next for Civic Responsibility
Every generation has the responsibility to continue the Founding Fathers' vision, says Rep. Brad Schneider. If the Founding Fathers materialized in 2026…
C-Suite PerspectivesMore Life, Smarter Use: Lessons from Hitachi Energy
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes George, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Edvin Lindgren, Global…
C-Suite PerspectivesAmerica at 250: Compromise for the Common Good
In this era of polarization, how can Americans embrace statesmen who find common ground and move the country forward? The United States has thrived for 250…
C-Suite PerspectivesCan Policymakers Stay Ahead of Global Risks?
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director International at The Conference Board and guest host, speaks with Alejandro Fiorito…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow Effective Are Today's Boards? We Have the Data
Board effectiveness is rising, but so are expectations, according to the latest research. In 2026, 41% of executives rated their boards as "excellent" or…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow Circular Innovation Creates a Competitive Edge
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, Sustainability Communications Expert and guest host, is joined by Arnaud Marqui, Chief…
C-Suite PerspectivesThe State of the Economy for June 2026
How are US consumers feeling as summer begins — and what should business leaders know about the growing economic impact of extreme heat? In this episode of…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow DuPont Gets Strategic About Its Carbon Footprint
Carbon reporting gives you data but isn't a strategy. How do businesses like DuPont put that data into context so they can make better, smarter business…
C-Suite PerspectivesWhat Consumer Confidence Reveals About Europe's Recovery
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, is joined by Matei Farcas and Konstantinos…
C-Suite PerspectivesAmerica at 250: How Higher Ed Can Cultivate Citizenship
As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, there are questions about the future of leadership, citizenship, and civic life in a country that seems…
C-Suite PerspectivesTariff Refunds: What Role Should Comms Leaders Play?
This episode was recorded on June 15 as part of the Policy Talks series hosted by The Conference Board. Up to 330,000 companies could receive tariff refunds…
C-Suite PerspectivesWhat Can We Learn from Kevin Warsh's First Fed Meeting?
The Federal Reserve held its first meeting Wednesday since Kevin Warsh succeeded Jerome Powell as chair. What can we learn from Warsh's statements and the…
C-Suite PerspectivesModernizing Board Governance for Today's Risk Environment
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, Sustainability Communications Expert and guest host, speaks with Susan Stenson, Founder of…
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How CHROs Create People-First, Performance-Driven Companies
Companies are increasingly focused on employee performance, which is challenging but also gives CHROs and CFOs an opportunity to collaborate. How can these key…
C-Suite PerspectivesEurope's CEOs on Economic Outlook, Business Prospects, and Risks
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board Europe, is joined by Alejandro Fiorito…
C-Suite PerspectivesAmerica at 250: How Can We Move Past Political Deadlock?
Amid polarization and deadlock, how can people in the United States better understand the habits and responsibilities that sustain a free society? The United…
C-Suite PerspectivesBuilding Investor Trust Through Sustainable Finance
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Tashmeem Muntazir Chowdhury…
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How Solomon Partners Views the Deal Landscape
The US is still the premier investment opportunity. Marc S. Cooper of Solomon Partners explains why. This special episode was recorded on May 6 at the 2026 M&A…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow Economic Security Is Reshaping Asia Trade
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director International at The Conference Board, speaks with Max Zenglein, Center Leader for…
C-Suite PerspectivesThe State of the Economy for May 2026
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® dipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, down from an upwardly revised 93.8 in April, continuing a downward trend for…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow Merck Uses AI to Improve Clinical Research
Generative AI and other technologies are transforming clinical research and trials. Find out how it's done. The clinical trials sector is risk-averse, heavily…
C-Suite PerspectivesMeasuring Sustainability ROI in an Era of Risk & Resilience
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Fabienne Crisovan, group head…
C-Suite PerspectivesIBM's Legal Chief on What Successful AI Strategy Looks Like
IBM's chief legal officer explains how governance drives AI success through trust, transparency, and employee adoption. Enterprises are learning that employees…
C-Suite PerspectivesWhat Employers Need to Know About the EU's Pay Transparency Law
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Marion Devine, principal researcher at The Conference Board's European Human Capital Center, speaks with James…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow AI Is Transforming Performance Systems at Microsoft
AI is a powerful accelerant for performance systems, but only when employees trust the system. Here's how Microsoft does it. Artificial intelligence is helping…
C-Suite PerspectivesHow Sustainability Can Drive Real Business Results
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Martin Wiese, leader of the European Governance & Sustainability Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Dr…
C-Suite PerspectivesAI Is Scaling Fast—How Companies Can Manage Risk
How are companies translating their AI principles into practice? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference…
C-Suite PerspectivesTurning Sustainability into a Competitive Advantage
In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, Sustainability Communications Expert and guest host, speaks with Manali Paranjpe, Program…
C-Suite PerspectivesThe State of the Economy for April 2026
Consumer confidence has ticked up slightly from March but remains low, and the global economic outlook has been downgraded for a second time. The growing…