Directors Quarterly: April 2022

Rising inflation, the Great Resignation, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine have taken volatility, complexity, and uncertainty to new heights. 

For many companies and their boards, the past two years have, no doubt, honed crisis management skills and fostered greater agility. Helping their companies navigate whatever lies ahead will require not only vigilant board oversight but deeper engagement and collaboration with management.

In this edition of Directors Quarterly, we highlight issues that boards and management are monitoring related to the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as accounting and financial reporting considerations. We examine recent developments in climate and ESG reporting and how board governance is evolving to address climate change. We explore systemic and geopolitical factors shaping the global supply chain environment—including the move toward more sustainable supply chains—and questions for audit committees as competition for talent creates a pain point with respect to financial reporting risk and controls. Finally, we share views on the importance of ESG from private company directors and Edelman’s views on building shareholder trust.