13th Annual Goodwin Directors Forum
2018 Agenda
Registration and Breakfast
7:30am - 8:00am
Welcome Remarks
8:00am - 8:15am
Saluting Corporate Citizenship
8:15am - 9:15am
In our first session we explored the innovative ways that companies are giving back to their communities and promoting the welfare of others. Whether in the form of corporate philanthropy or a heightened focus on corporate social responsibility, companies are seeking ways to make a positive social impact.
Role of the Board in the #MeToo Era
9:15 am-10:15am
This interactive session discussed issues faced by a Board of Directors when an allegation of sexual harassment has been made against an executive of the company. What is the right governance process? How do you navigate the employment law issues? What do you need to disclose and when? This session was led by Goodwin Partners Jennifer Fay and Deborah Birnbach.
Networking Break
10:15am - 10:30am
Privacy Please
10:30am - 11:00am
In this fireside chat, we discussed the relationship between a Chief Executive Officer and its Board of Directors in the context of a going-private transaction. Our guest was Josef von Rickenbach who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PARALEXEL International Corp. for over 35 years, including during its recent sale to Pamplona Capital Management.
Disruption in the Boardroom (Hollywood-style)
11:00am - 11:30am
Disruptive businesses are high risk / high reward propositions. Execution of the business model and and the ability to distribute or succeed in disrupting established models may present significant business and legal obstacles. This session, led by Goodwin Partner Neel Chatterjee, used several well-known television and movie clips to discuss a Board's responsibilities in this context.
Goodwin Governance Challenge
11:15am - 12:30pm
In this interactive session, we discussed specific issues facing Boards of Directors today - game show style! Contestants determined how to handle hypothetical situations in their roles as members of the Board. How do you do the right thing when their isn't always one right answer? Goodwin Partners and Co-Directors of the forum, Stuart Cable and Lisa Haddad hosted this session.
Lunch and Keynote Speaker
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Closing Remarks
1:30pm - 1:45pm