Navigating uncertainty: The long view

It’s clear that, as the business and risk environment becomes more complex, the board’s ability to prioritize and devote enough time to substantive issues becomes more challenging. While the near-term can’t be ignored, whether it’s uncertainty in Washington or responding to the crisis of the day, the message from investors and other stakeholders is clear: they expect boards to help keep companies focused on long-term strategy and growth.

More than 225 directors, luminaries, and KPMG leaders gathered at the 2018 Board Leadership Conference in San Diego Jan. 8–10 to discuss the issues shaping boardroom and business agendas, including the economic and geopolitical landscape, the impact of U.S. tax reform, increasing focus on long-term growth and sustainability, risk, culture, diversity, innovation, financial reporting hot topics and audit quality.

Keynote speakers included Pulitzer-Prize winning historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin, national affairs analyst John Heilemann, financial journalist and author Michael Lewis, Eurasia Group founder and president Ian Bremmer.

In addition, peer exchanges discussions drilled down on the challenges and emerging issues driving the agendas and practices of audit, compensation, and nominating/governance committees.