From geopolitical instability to artificial intelligence (AI), companies are facing an increasingly complex business environment that presents both challenges and strategic opportunities. Following the success of last year’s program, the 2024 Cornell Tech Board of Directors Forum – slated for Oct. 29 and 30 in New York City – is designed to provide corporate leaders with critical skills and actionable insights to bring to their boardrooms.

According to LizAnn Eisen, faculty director for the forum and acting professor of the practice at Cornell Law School and Cornell Tech, the program will cover cutting-edge governance issues and research, delivering leading-edge frameworks and best practices for addressing critical issues. Topics will include big data, AI, cybersecurity, shareholder activism, liability management and environmental, social and governance strategies.

“The Board of Directors Forum is an immersive experience that blends academic rigor and real-world practice,” Eisen said. “Participants will engage with our university’s experts, former government regulators and experienced business and law practitioners to gain tools for success in today’s complex landscape.”

Crafted to offer practical knowledge through a range of methods, the forum will feature presentations, panel discussions, hands-on exercises and online sessions led by Eisen and a group of more than two dozen professors and industry leaders, including:

• Ting S. Chen, Corporate Partner, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
• James Hu, Partner, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP | Adjunct Professor of Law, Cornell Tech and Cornell Law School
• Craig Ivey, Board Member, Ameren and ISO New England | Retired President, ConEd
• Machua Millett, Chief Innovation Officer and Alternative Investment Practice Leader, Lockton Financial Services
• Elizabeth Morgan, Partner, Corporate, Finance and Investments, King & Spalding
• C. Allen Parker, Board Member, Silicon Valley Bank | Former CEO, SVP and General Counsel, Wells Fargo  
• Bill Priestap, Former Head of Counterintelligence, FBI | Co-founder, Trenchcoat Advisors

The former executives and board members will share best practices for CEO development, succession and leadership as well as an executive’s wish list for board member engagement.

“The forum condenses the hottest topics on the minds of public company directors into presentations by top thought leaders in global business and technology,” said JoEllen Dillon, a member of the Viatris board of directors. “It’s a terrific choice for continued education on today's evolving issues of AI, cyber security and global trends.”

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP will host a cocktail welcome reception on Oct. 28, and additional networking sessions during the following two-day forum will enable participants to discuss strategies with their professional peers from both the public and private sectors.

“The emerging issues in technology – particularly around AI – and uncertainties in economics and politics all demand that leaders sharpen their skills in balancing strategic foresight and real-time decision making. The role of the board in strategy development and evolution is more critical than ever. Our program will equip board members to steer their organizations through disruption and thrive throughout the transformation,” Eisen said.

Several companies, including Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, Lockton and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, are supporters of this year’s forum.

“The sponsorship and support from these companies help us provide a premium program experience,” said Eisen. “It also demonstrates their commitment to leading companies through emerging technology issues during economically and politically uncertain times.”

Through the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), the program provides 15 hours of recertification credits for directors maintaining their NACD Directorship Certification. All participants will receive a Board of Directors Forum Certificate from Cornell Tech and 24 Professional Development Hours.

Individuals interested in the forum can learn more and register online through Oct. 11. Early bird pricing is available for a limited time.