14th Annual Goodwin Directors Forum

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