CEO 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 confidence, supply chains, and federal partnerships. Klein underscores that resolution will come—but the longer the impasse, the broader the economic and social toll. 

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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. 

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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 companies are being targeted, the increasing scrutiny of CEOs (including gender bias), and how boards can prepare and respond effectively. 

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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. 

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The government shutdown affects much more than the federal workforce. How can CHROs guide their companies through this latest stressor?  

The government shutdown has an impact on your private company, whether it’s missing economic data, delayed regulatory action, or employees affected indirectly by a family member’s furlough or job loss. How can CHROs lead their workforces through yet another stressful event? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Diana Scott, center leader of the US Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, to learn about the psychological stress of the shutdown,how CHROs can give managers the right resources, and how to find alternate sources of economic data. 

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Find out how business leaders and workers feel about the workplace amid uncertainty and cost-cutting. 

Layoffs are on the rise, with 41% of organizations issuing them in 2025 compared with only 30% in 2024. What does this uncertain economic environment mean for human capital leaders as they try to shape resilient organizations in 2026 and beyond? 

Join Diana Scott and guests Robin Erickson, PhD, head of human capital research at The Conference Board, and Matthew Maloof, researcher at The Conference Board Human Capital Center. They discuss why hybrid work is increasingly popular, how cost-cutting is affecting culture and more, and the pandemic’s lasting effects on the workplace. 

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Find out what NATO is, how it functions, and why Russia's recent incursions could force the alliance to act.  

Recent Russian violations of Polish and Estonian airspace have NATO considering a possible Article Five response, something last seen in response to 9/11. What are NATO's options, and what happens if the alliance fails to present a united front? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Sara Murray, Managing Director for International at The Conference Board, to learn about NATO’s origins and structure, why defense commitments have increased, and why NATO is approaching a red line with Russia. 

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In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Dana Peterson speaks with economists Stephanie Guichard and Alex Heil about declining US consumer confidence, rising inflation concerns, and lowered spending expectations-- and explores how the global energy transition is reshaping markets, costs, and business strategy. 

This episode provides a dual lens on the economy: the current thinking of US consumers, which shapes spending and growth, and the long-term global shift in energy systems, reshaping industries and business planning. 

Leaders and executives will gain timely insights into how these trends affect both household behavior and strategic business decisions. 

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