C-Suite Perspectives

The State of the Economy for May 2026

26 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® dipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, down from an upwardly revised 93.8 in April, continuing a downwa...

How Merck Uses AI to Improve Clinical Research

26 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Generative AI and other technologies are transforming clinical research and trials. Find out how it's done.     The clinical trials secto...

Measuring Sustainability ROI in an Era of Risk & Resilience

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Fabienne Crisovan, gro...

IBM's Legal Chief on What Successful AI Strategy Looks Like

18 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

   IBM's chief legal officer explains how governance drives AI success through trust, transparency, and employee adoption.     Enter...

What Employers Need to Know About the EU's Pay Transparency Law

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Marion Devine, principal researcher at The Conference Board's European Human Capital Center, speaks with Jame...

How AI Is Transforming Performance Systems at Microsoft

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

AI is a powerful accelerant for performance systems, but only when employees trust the system. Here's how Microsoft does it.     Artificial...

How Sustainability Can Drive Real Business Results

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Martin Wiese, leader of the European Governance & Sustainability Center at The Conference Board, speaks with ...

AI Is Scaling Fast—How Companies Can Manage Risk

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How are companies translating their AI principles into practice?  In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The ...

Turning Sustainability into a Competitive Advantage

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Manali Paranjpe, progr...

The State of the Economy for April 2026

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Consumer confidence has ticked up slightly from March but remains low, and the global economic outlook has been downgraded for a second time. ...

Inside Canada: What Business Leaders Are Seeing Right Now

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, President and CEO of The Conference Board, speaks with Gillian Riley, President of The Confer...

The Global Impact of Middle East Tensions

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does the ongoing conflict in the Middle East mean for European markets? Join Sara Murray and Alejandro Fiorito as they unpack the latest developm...

How Leaders Can Close the AI Readiness Gap

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Diana Scott, leader of the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Robin Erickson, head o...

What's Next for ESG Legislation in Europe?

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Bárbara Mendes-Jorge and guest Radhika Ralhan, an ESG and sustainability global impact leader and a guest lecturer at the Maastricht S...

"The Water Is Not Going to Be There:" A Risk for Business

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if water -- not energy or labor -- becomes your biggest business constraint?    In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, pr...

Where to Hire in Europe in a Changing Market

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, managing director, international at The Conference Board, speaks with Robin Maillard, researcher...

What Does it Really Take to Succeed in the C-Suite?

06 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland, president and CEO of The Conference Board, sits down with Jennifer Eggers, founder and pre...

The State of the Economy for March 2026

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Consumer confidence has ticked up slightly but remains low in the face of tariffs, spiking prices and war.    The Conference Board Cons...

Consumer Spending on Food Signals Deeper Economic Pressures

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dana Peterson, leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance (ESF) Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Malala Lin, economic ...

China for China: How MNCs Are Rewriting Their Playbooks

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

China remains one of the most essential -- and complex -- markets for global companies. In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, host Steve Od...

What Drives CEO Succession Today—And Are Boards Ready?

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Brian Campbell, leader of the Governance & Sustainability Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Blair Jones and Greg Arnold, ...

Climate Risk Is Rising. Is Our Infrastructure Ready?

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As climate extremes intensify, resilient infrastructure is no longer a future consideration; it is a present-day imperative.  Alex Heil, senior ...

What Makes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Work?

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

New global data reveals strong employee support for diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI)—but also a widening gap between how leaders view progress...

The State of the Economy for February 2026

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® increased by 2.2 points in February to 91.2 (1985=100), from an upwardly revised 89.0 in January. ...

Ukraine War: Are We Headed for a Frozen Conflict—or a Bigger War?

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Three years into the conflict, the Ukraine war has evolved into a brutal war of attrition—with implications far beyond the battlefield.    ...

How AI Is Reshaping Corporate Sustainability

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Learn why companies need to understand AI's promise and potential drawbacks for environmental sustainability.     More than 60% of companies a...

What's Next for CEO and Executive Compensation?

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Find out what's new in CEO and executive compensation, including say-on-pay practices and SEC regulations.      CEO pay in the S&P 500 i...

What Could the Fed Look Like Under Kevin Warsh?

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Find out what Kevin Warsh's nomination for Fed chair means for interest rates—and the potential Senate battle ahead.     Kevin Warsh has be...

Why 2026 Will Be the Year of Agentic Commerce

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Learn what our C-Suite Outlook 2026 reveals for marketing and communications executives.     CEOs and CMOs agree: Boosting profitability th...

Why Skills, Not Headcount, Matter Most to HR in 2026

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Finding skilled talent remains difficult. Find out how CEOs and CHROs plan to develop their workforce this year.     Nearly 37% of C...

The State of the Economy for January 2026

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Consumer confidence has plummeted. What does it mean for the economy?    The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® fell sharply in Ja...

Governance Is Changing. Find Out What's on Deck for 2026

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Find out how governance and sustainability are evolving, including what's next for ESG.     Change is coming for governance leaders, whethe...

Control Risk's Lessons on Keeping Your Executives Safe

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

CEOs are increasingly at risk, both physically and digitally. Find out what's new in corporate risk preparedness.     The killing of Unite...

C-Suite Outlook 2026: Top Priorities for CEOs

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Our latest C-Suite Outlook reveals CEOs' biggest concerns—and why they're measuring the ROI of AI.     US CEOs rank economic and geopolit...

C-Suite Outlook 2026: Where CEOs Plan to Invest This Year

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Find out how CEOs are planning to win this year amid a world of uncertainty.     As 2026 begins, CEOs are worried about uncertainty — i...

AI Is Transforming Organizations. How Will Yours Change?

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how companies can develop a strategy to redesign their structures and processes for AI.     AI not only transforms how companies o...

Tariff Troubles? Consider FTZs and Bonded Warehouses

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how businesses can store and even process goods without incurring immediate tariff obligations.     The effective US tariff rate soare...

The State of the Economy for December 2025

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Dana Peterson and Allen Li unpack the latest Consumer Confidence Index® and the surprisingly strong Q3 U...

Sustainability that Boosts Profits

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Only 33% of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic gets recycled in the US. What are the obstacles, and how can businesses contribute to greater ...

Why the C-Suite Needs to Know About Neuro-Symbolic AI

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is neuro-symbolic AI, and how can it help businesses generate value in new ways?     If generative AI is a productivity engine, then ...

What the AI Acceleration Curve Means for Corporate Strategy

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI is driving the next wave of corporate reinvention, moving beyond efficiency toward creativity and strategic insight. For business leaders, the qu...

What Risks Should CEOs Prioritize in 2026?

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

2026 is almost here. Find out what risks CEOs are prioritizing in the year ahead.     CEOs have had to spend much of this year dealing with ...

The State of the Economy for November 2025

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Consumer expectations for six months in the future continued to worsen in November, and confidence fell to its second-lowest level this year. Will h...

How AI Coaching Is Redefining Leadership Development

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI is redefining what effective leadership development looks like. Coaching, once limited to the few, can now reach the many, empowering managers an...

What Business Leaders Need to Know About the Global Trade Shake-Up

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Globalization is being rewritten as geopolitics, trade, and industrial policy collide. Shifting alliances are reshaping markets, supply chains, and t...

Are Companies Paying Enough Attention to AI Risks?

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Companies in the S&P 500 are increasingly disclosing AI-related risks. Find out what this means for C-Suite leaders and boards.     More t...

How the Administration Aims to Change the Workplace

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The modern workplace is being reshaped by a sweeping "whole-of-government" approach to policy, enforcement, and regulation. From diversity and inclu...

Can the US Grid Keep Up with the Demand for AI?

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Find out why a 1-2% increase in annual electricity demand could create stress to the US electrical grid.     US electricity demand has been ...

The State of the Economy for October 2025

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does the latest Consumer Confidence Index reveal about the economy's true pulse amid a prolonged government shutdown?  In this episode, host ...

The Politics and Real Costs of a Government Shutdown

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"This is a self-inflicted wound on our economy," says former Congressman Ron Klein.    In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland...

How Corporate Sustainability Went from Optional to Essential

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In just a few decades, corporate sustainability has grown into a core corporate function, particularly at publicly traded companies. What is the stat...

Activism Has Gone Mainstream. How Can CEOs Respond?

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn what the latest research on US shareholder activism can teach CEOs and boards.  Activism has evolved from a niche effort to a mainstream inv...

CEO Confidence Dips Slightly in Q4 2025

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Chief Economist Dana M. Peterson sits down with Associate Economist Allen Li to unpack the latest findings fr...

How Well Do You Know Your Suppliers? Here Are the Risks

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The US and the EU are both cracking down on human rights violations in the supply chain. What should the C-Suite and board do to avoid not just regul...

Government Shutdown: How CHROs Should Respond

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government shutdown affects much more than the federal workforce. How can CHROs guide their companies through this latest stressor?      ...

The Workplace in 2025: More Hybrid Work, More Layoffs

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Find out how business leaders and workers feel about the workplace amid uncertainty and cost-cutting.     Layoffs are on the rise, with 41% of...

Russia Is Testing NATO's Resolve. What Are Its Options?

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Find out what NATO is, how it functions, and why Russia's recent incursions could force the alliance to act.      Recent Russian violations o...

The State of the Economy for September 2025

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Dana Peterson speaks with economists Stephanie Guichard and Alex Heil about declining US consumer confidence...

Shutting Down the Economy? Impact of US Government Shutdown

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when Washington fails to fund the government? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, guest host Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The C...

What's at Stake in the Supreme Court Tariffs Case?

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The lawsuit against certain US tariffs could be resolved soon, but uncertainty for businesses will likely linger.     The Supreme Court is sch...

Is Stagflation a Looming Risk?

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The global economy is slowing — but is it a recession, stagflation, or just a soft patch? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland spe...

Salary Budgets 2026: What to Expect

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As organizations head into 2026, pay planning has become more strategic than ever. Salary budgets remain firm, but workforce strategies are shifting ...

Boards Under Pressure: Succession, Activism, and AI Risks

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Only one in four governance leaders say succession planning is a top priority, even as activists press for change and many CEOs stay in their roles l...

How CVS Health Is Rethinking Health Care Delivery

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

CVS Health is striving to improve health care delivery in five key areas: cost, quality, access, experience, and equity. What changes are necessary t...

Can Fed Governors be Fired?

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Reserve has come under scrutiny, including uncertainty over whether the President can remove Fed governors — and under what circumstanc...

Inside the BLS: What Executives Need to Know

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every month, Americans – both consumers and businesses -- turn to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to understand the health of the US economy ...

What's Next for Wind, Solar and Other Renewable Energy?

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Electricity demand is expected to increase 25% by 2050. How can renewable energy sources in the US help fill the gap?   Renewables will soon produ...

The State of the Economy for August 2025

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Consumer confidence mostly held steady in August – what's driving people's current mood and spending habits?  The latest update from The Confere...

As Deals Come Together, What's Next for Tariffs and Trade?

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How successful has the US been with tariffs, and what other aspects of trade could be negotiated next?   The US is inching closer toward certainty...

10 Priorities for Every Business Operating in China in 2025

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Doing business in China increasingly requires an entirely different approach to supply chain, IT, government relations, and innovation. How can multi...

Lessons In Credit Access and Culture-Building at Synchrony

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The average credit decision at Synchrony relies on 9,000 pieces of data. How does the company use all this information to expand credit access while ...

FIS CEO Stephanie Ferris on Embracing GenAI at Work

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Find out how FIS is staying on the cutting edge of technology while serving clients and communities.   FIS processes more than 10% of the global e...

Are Boards Effective? Here's What Our Latest Research Says

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More C-Suite leaders view their boards as effective in 2025, but numerous challenges remain, including keeping up with AI.     More than one-t...

The State of the Economy for July 2025

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we break down the latest data from The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, released today. The numbers show a modest but n...

Lessons in Digital Transformation from Clorox's CEO

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how Clorox invested in technological innovation so it could continue delivering superior consumer experiences.  Almost 90% of US households ...

What Are CHROs' Top 10 Priorities for the Rest of 2025?

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

2025 is half over. What issues should human capital leaders focus onduring the restof the year?     In this time of rapid change, chief HR...

How Vertex Pharmaceuticals Succeeds with Serial Innovation

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn why culture and constant innovation are essential to developing life-changing biopharma treatments. Vertex Pharmaceuticals focuses on "serial ...

10 Priorities Every CMO Needs for the Rest of 2025

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've just passed the midway point of 2025 -- what are the top 10 priorities for chief marketing officers (CMOs) for the rest of the year?     ...

Lessons in Executing Strategy from General Mills' CEO

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how General Mills takes strategy from concept into reality—all while standing for good.     General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening had the co...

The State of the Economy for June 2025

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a brief rebound in May, consumer confidence slipped again. What changed in June—and what might it mean for the economy this summer?  The C...

Employer Branding Delivers ROI—If You Get the Strategy Right

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Employer branding reflects your organization's public perception—and you can measure its effectiveness.     In a world where any job candidat...

Leadership Lessons from Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Science and technology will bring more change to health care over the next decade than we saw in the past century, says Joaquin Duato, Chairman and C...

10 Priorities for Sustainability Leaders to Close Out 2025

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you work in sustainability or ESG, you're already grappling with a rapidly evolving regulatory and policy landscape, all while proving the ROI of ...

Zscaler's Secret to Success: Be Obsessed with Customers

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cybersecurity has become top of mind for Fortune 500 companies, and yet attacks, breaches, and other incidents keep happening. Can companies really p...

The State of the Economy for May 2025

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tariffs and stock market movements remained top of mind for consumers in May. The Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for inc...

What New Polling Says About Tariffs, Immigration and More

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get insights on the President's polling 100 days in and how Americans view crucial domestic issues.  The Administration's approval rating has declin...

What's Russia's Next Move in Ukraine—and in Europe?

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can President Trump get Ukraine and Russia to agree on a peace deal? If so, what happens next?     The US administration is pushing for a ceas...

What's on the White House Agenda for the Next 100 Days?

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

  As the Trump presidency enters its second 100 days, what should we expect next?     The Trump administration has had arguably the bus...

CHROs in the Boardroom: What's Trending, What's Next?

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As HR becomes more strategic, CHROs are building their presence inside the boardroom.     The latest research from The Conference Board shows...

The State of the Economy for April 2025

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Consumer confidence plunges to a 13-year low — is a recession next?  Consumer confidence declined for a fifth consecutive month in April, to lev...

Why Change Management Is More Important Than Ever

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Change is constant, and that's why your business needsa structured change management strategy.     Your business is constantly changing, eve...

e.l.f. Beauty CEO: Purpose and Growth Go Hand in Hand

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

e.l.f. Beauty —a 2025 recipient of the Corporate Responsibility Awards— is the only cosmetics brand to have grownits market share for 24 con...

Will China Blockade Taiwan?

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

China is determined to reincorporate Taiwan—raising the stakes for countries and for businesses.     By 2027, China could be militarily capa...

Why Yum! Brands Focuses on Food, People, and Planet

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Food, people, and planet—these are the three north stars that help Yum! Brands —a 2025 recipient of the Corporate Responsibility Awards—foc...

Are Trade Deficits Bad for the US? It's Complicated

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dive deep into the world of trade balances, the role of the US, and the power of the dollar.     The US regularly runs trade deficits with its...

How Prudential Turns Purpose into Practice

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how Prudential Financial continues to serve all stakeholders through clarity of purpose.     Prudential Financial has served its local ...

What Should Corporate Philanthropy Look Like in 2025?

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how companies can evolve their philanthropy in a divided political climate while staying true to their values.     Most companies in 20...

EVs Have Been a Growth Story, But Will That Continue?

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

EV sales in the US continue to grow. Learn what needs to happen to spur further adoption.     Roughly 20% of US passenger vehicles sold...

The DOGE Effect: How Is the Federal Workforce Changing?

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amid potentially massive job cuts by the federal government, how should leaders manage this disruption?     The Department of Government Effic...

Proxy Season Is Busier Than Ever. How Can Companies Prepare?

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Find out the latest trends in shareholder proposals—and whether they'll succeed.     Shareholder proposals are at an all-time high, but supp...