C-Suite Perspectives

Why 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 from building a system that draws on the knowledge of the entire team—and enables the business to keep transforming without depending on one person for every answer. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, speaks with Constantine Alexandrakis, CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates and author of The Catalyst CEO, about why the traditional command-and-control model is no longer enough. Together, they explore why effective CEOs lead from the center of the organization rather than the top; how empowerment differs from abdication; and why humility, adaptability, resilience, and self-awareness are becoming essential leadership capabilities. They also discuss the board's role in transformation, how AI is changing jobs and workflows, and why CEOs must build cultures and leadership systems capable of continuous change. More from The Conference Board: · What Does It Really Take to Succeed in the C-Suite? · A Framework for Agentic AI and Work Redesign · Transforming Organizations for AI: Critical Factors for AI Success · Shedding Light on Culture: A Framework for Board Insights

• Transcript

Salary 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 the way companies allocate compensation—is standing still. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, speaks with Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center Leader at The Conference Board, about findings from the 41st annual US Salary Increase Budgets 2026–2027 study and what they mean for business and human capital leaders. Together, they discuss why the average merit budget of 3.1% should reward performance rather than compensate for inflation; how companies can target limited pay dollars toward promotions, critical skills, retention, and equity; and why AI capabilities should be rewarded only when they create measurable business value. They also explore how automation is changing the mix of work even when overall headcount remains stable, the expanding role of CHROs in workforce transformation, and why transparency and a broader total rewards story are essential to maintaining employee trust. More from The Conference Board: · US Salary Increase Budgets 2026–2027 · The Evolving Role of the CHRO in the Boardroom · A Framework for Agentic AI and Work Redesign · Skilling for AI: Critical Factors for Navigating AI Disruption

• Transcript

How 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 recognize that disruptions or transformations have changed the game. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, speaks with Vincent Giolito, Professor of Strategy and Organization at emlyon business school and Senior Fellow at The Conference Board, about how boards can identify strategic errors before they threaten the future of the company. They discuss why boards must continually test strategic assumptions, recognize weak signals, and understand transformation as an ongoing process rather than a single event. They also explore the competencies boards need beyond financial expertise, why directors require "progressive lenses" that let them examine both operational details and the wider business landscape, and how ruthless empathy can help boards support CEOs while still challenging them when necessary. More from The Conference Board: Board Readiness in 2026 Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption Modernizing Board Governance for Today's Risk Environment AI Policy and Regulation in the EU: What Companies Need to Know

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 Eric Lundh and Allen Li examine what is driving greater consumer caution — from financial well-being and inflation concerns to signs of softer discretionary spending. They also discuss The Conference Board's latest global economic forecast: how energy disruptions and trade uncertainty are weighing on growth; how AI investment and semiconductor demand are supporting parts of the global economy; and what to expect in the US, Asia, the Gulf region, and Europe through 2027.

Leading 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 that places trust, resilience, shared accountability, and responsibility to future generations alongside financial performance. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, David Young, President of The CEO Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Kathy Mazzarella, Chairman, President, and CEO of Graybar. Mazzarella reflects on joining the company at 19, rising through roles to become CEO, and the defining experiences that prepared her to lead one of North America's largest employee-owned companies. Together, they explore why leadership is an act of stewardship, how Graybar's ownership culture strengthens engagement and customer loyalty, and why resilience can matter more than an uninterrupted path to the top. They also discuss how leaders can use AI to improve productivity without sacrificing human judgment and trust, why the right decision for employees can also produce stronger business results, and what it means to leave both a company and its people better positioned for the future. This episode is part of the Leadership in Challenging Times series from The CEO Center at The Conference Board. The series features discussions with the business leaders who are recipients of the Distinguished Leadership Awards.

Why 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 context behind difficult choices, and knowing when to step in—or step back. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, David Young, President of The CEO Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO of Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies and a recipient of a 2026 Distinguished Leadership Award, to explore the experiences that shaped her leadership and how she empowers people to act across a complex global organization. Together, they discuss why leaders have an obligation to speak when invited to the table, how strategic alignment can give teams greater operational autonomy, and why empathy is an underrated leadership attribute. They also examine the potential of blood and cell therapies, the role of AI and data in accelerating medical discovery, the need to expand access to innovation, the fragility of the global blood supply, and how regulation can protect patients without unnecessarily slowing progress. This episode is part of the Leadership in Challenging Times series from The CEO Center at The Conference Board. The series features discussions with the business leaders who are recipients of the Distinguished Leadership Awards.

Why 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 applicants are turned away each year, revealing a constrained pipeline with too few classroom seats, faculty members, and clinical placements to train the workforce the country needs. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, David Young, President of The CEO Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Steve Beard, Chairman and CEO of Covista, to examine why the health care workforce shortage begins long before employers try to fill open positions—and what it will take to build a larger, stronger, and more sustainable talent pipeline. Together, they discuss how educational institutions can expand access without sacrificing quality; how employer-educator partnerships can connect tuition assistance, clinical training, and employment; and why reducing administrative burdens is essential to retaining clinicians. They also explore how AI can personalize health care education and give clinicians more time with patients, the policy changes needed to increase training capacity and remove barriers to practice, and the leadership required to drive continuous change at scale.

From 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 more than react: they anticipate the next curve, reinvent without losing their identity, and keep experimenting before a crisis forces them to change. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, is joined by Peter Corijn, Founder and CEO of VUCASTAR Consulting, Senior Fellow at The Conference Board, author, and recording artist under the name Paul Numi, to explore what business leaders can learn from the music industry about disruption and reinvention. Together, they examine seven strategies for responding to a game changer; how artists including David Bowie, U2, Madonna, and Prince remained relevant; and why curiosity, resilience, diverse teams, and continuous experimentation underpin lasting success. They also discuss how leaders can innovate without abandoning their core identity, which capabilities organizations should develop before the next crisis, and whether generative AI can replicate the creativity and emotional experience that remain distinctly human. More from The Conference Board: Beyond AI Pilots: Building Future-Ready Companies AI Is Transforming Organizations. How Will Yours Change? C-Suite Outlook 2026: Uncertainty and Opportunity

How 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 persistent workforce shortages limit how many patients clinicians can serve. AI could help close that gap—not by replacing health care workers but by reducing administrative burdens, improving workflows, and enabling the existing workforce to deliver more and better care. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, is joined by Erka Amursi, Principal Researcher in the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, to explore how AI can help health care organizations alleviate workforce shortages, increase productivity, and improve the delivery of care. Together, they discuss how AI is already supporting diagnosis, documentation, patient monitoring, and administrative work; why the greatest gains will come from redesigning workflows and operating models; and which new skills health care workers will need. They also examine the risks of overreliance, bias, privacy violations, and unclear accountability—and why effective governance should treat AI as a copilot for clinicians rather than an autopilot for patient care.

How 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 mental resilience to move forward without having all the answers. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, David Young, President of The CEO Center of The Conference Board, is joined by Kristin Peck, CEO of Zoetis, to explore how she leads the world's largest animal health company through rapid change. Together, they discuss how purpose and curiosity have shaped Peck's career, why culture is a competitive advantage, and how Zoetis uses innovation to address emerging needs in animal health. They also examine the connection between healthy animals, food security, and economic opportunity—and why empathy and "frustrated optimism" are essential qualities for today's business leaders. This episode is part of the Leadership in Challenging Times series from The CEO Center at The Conference Board. The series features discussions with the business leaders who are recipients of the Distinguished Leadership Awards.

Can 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 infrastructure, companies are confronting difficult questions about which emissions they can control, what they can afford, and how their goals may need to evolve. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, is joined by Dr. Andrew Jones, Principal Researcher at the Governance & Sustainability Center of The Conference Board, to examine how companies set climate goals and the progress they are making across scope one, scope two, and scope three emissions. Together, they discuss why companies have made the greatest progress on emissions from purchased electricity, the financial and operational challenges putting climate commitments at risk, how AI is reshaping energy demand and corporate emissions—and why revising a target does not necessarily represent a retreat.

How 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 transparency, decisions about how employees are rewarded increasingly shape organizational performance, workforce trust, and a company's ability to compete. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, is joined by John Beadle, Senior Research Fellow and Corporate Reward and Global Mobility Council Director at The Conference Board, to explore insights from the Future: Reward Europe 2026 event and what they reveal about the changing role of reward leaders. They discuss why successful reward redesign begins with diagnosing the business problem, how global benefit standards are challenging traditional market-based approaches, and whether AI will make reward functions more effective or simply reduce head count. They also examine the unfinished work of EU pay transparency, differences between US and European compensation, the more disciplined use of ESG measures in incentive plans, and the emerging issues that should be on reward leaders' agendas for the year ahead. More from The Conference Board: What Employers Need to Know About EU's Pay Transparency Law The New Reward Agenda: Strategy, AI, Transparency, and Trust EU Workforce Regulation Outlook 2026: 5 CHRO Priorities AI and the Workforce: Governing Risk, Opportunity, and Access

Is 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 world changes. With AI accelerating uncertainty, how can leaders tell whether their culture is helping their organization adapt or holding it back? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, is joined by Erka Amursi, Principal Researcher in the Human Capital Center, to explore what makes an organizational culture strong, healthy, adaptable, and consistent, and how leaders can determine where their own culture needs work. They discuss a new four-dimension framework for understanding and measuring culture; why trust and psychological safety are especially important during periods of rapid change; and how leaders' actions, incentives, and communication shape the behaviors that take hold across an organization. They also examine how AI is challenging traditional approaches to change management and why transparency becomes even more important when leaders cannot offer employees certainty about what comes next

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 latest remarks and discusses with Erik Lundh, Senior Global Economist for The Conference Board, why markets interpreted Warsh's message as increasingly hawkish. Shulyatyeva examines what Warsh revealed about the Fed's approach to inflation, why the speed of progress toward its 2% target matters, and what his comments suggest about the underlying strength of the economy and labor market. The conversation also explores the market reaction to the speech, the economic data the Fed will consider before its September meeting, and why The Conference Board is not yet changing its forecast of no rate hikes this year.

From 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 possible. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, David Young, President of The CEO Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Vincent Delie Jr., Chairman, President, and CEO of FNB Corporation and First National Bank, and a 2026 Distinguished Leadership Awards honoree, about the leadership decisions behind that transformation. Together, they explore how FNB has combined strategic growth with disciplined risk management; why decisiveness, collaboration, and a low-bureaucracy culture create competitive advantage; and how investments in AI, digital banking, and underserved communities are shaping the bank's next chapter. This episode is part of the Leadership in Challenging Times series from the CEO Center at The Conference Board. The series features discussions with the business leaders who are recipients of the Distinguished Leadership Awards.

State 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 Economist, The Conference Board and Allen Li, Associate Economist, The Conference Board examine what the latest data reveal about jobs, inflation, and recession concerns. They also preview Jackson Hole and discuss what Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's address could mean for interest rates, Treasury yields, and monetary policy. For more from The Conference Board: US Consumer Confidence Forecast for the US Economy Global Economic Outlook

Why 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 leaders a new—and in some cases more accurate—way to forecast economic conditions, manage risk, and improve decision making? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, is joined by PJ Tabit, Principal Economic Policy Analyst at The Conference Board's CEO Center, to explore the growing role of prediction markets in business and public policy. Together, they examine how prediction markets work and why they are gaining credibility as forecasting tools; discuss how companies can use them to strengthen risk management and business planning; and explore the governance, compliance, and reputational considerations executives should understand as these markets continue to evolve. More from The Conference Board: · Making Predictions Is Hard, Especially About the Future—Or It Used to Be · AI and the C-Suite: Implications for CEO Strategy in 2026 · EU Digital Markets Act Developments Impact US Tech Firms · Government Actions Attempt to Address AI Cybersecurity Risks

How 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 a chatbot isn't enough. The bigger challenge is building the business acumen, adaptability, and organizational capabilities employees will need to put AI to work effectively. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Diana Scott, Human Capital Center Leader at The Conference Board, is joined by Matt Rosenbaum, Principal Researcher in the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, to explore how organizations can build an AI-ready workforce that delivers lasting business value. Together, they discuss why AI literacy alone is no longer enough; examine how CHROs can prepare employees for rapid advances in AI and workforce transformation; and explore the leadership, culture, learning ecosystems, and talent strategies needed to develop future-ready capabilities, support large-scale reskilling, and turn AI into a sustained competitive advantage. Explore Related Insights: · Navigating for AI: Critical Factors for Navigating AI Disruption · Reinventing the Talent Pipeline in the AI Era · Job Satisfaction 2026: Record High Marks 16 Years of Gains · Organizational Culture: What Really Matters?

How 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 evolve and disruption becomes more frequent, workforce resilience is emerging as a strategic advantage rather than simply a human resources priority. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Rita Meyerson, Principal Researcher in the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Matt Pierce, CEO of E4E Relief, to discuss how employee relief programs can help organizations build a more resilient workforce. Together, they examine how employee financial resilience, organizational culture, and crisis preparedness influence business performance; explore the changing expectations of today's workforce; and explain why helping employees recover quickly from personal crises can strengthen engagement, agility, and long-term organizational resilience. More from The Conference Board: · Strategic Integration of HR & Corporate Citizenship: Insights for the C-Suite · Winning Partnership: HR & Corporate Citizenship · Organizational Culture: What Really Matters? · Reinventing the Talent Pipeline in the AI Era

America 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 episode of C-Suite Perspectives, David Young, President of The Conference Board's CEO Center, is joined by former US Senator Joe Manchin to reflect on America's 250th anniversary and the leadership challenges shaping its future. Together, they explore the importance of bipartisanship, civic trust, and democratic resilience; discuss the growing influence of political polarization and AI; and consider why compromise, accountability, and common sense remain essential to strengthening American democracy and creating long-term prosperity. More from The Conference Board: America at 250: What's Next for Civic Responsibility Why Should Americans Care About the National Debt? 250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future A Stable Democracy at 250: Trusted Elections as the Foundation