Decoding Proxy Season: What Boards Need to Know for Fall Compensation Discussions
August 11 at 12 PM ET (Virtual)
As boards prepare for fall compensation discussions, this year’s planning cycle arrives amid heightened volatility across the business, governance, and regulatory landscape.
Shifting investor expectations, evolving disclosure standards, and ongoing economic uncertainty are reshaping how executive pay decisions are evaluated—and scrutinized.
This WCDirect webinar will highlight the most important takeaways from the 2025 proxy season, including say-on-pay outcomes, trends in incentive plan design and performance metrics, and shifts in shareholder engagement and voting behavior. We will also address timely regulatory developments and what they may signal for the year ahead.
Designed for full boards and compensation committee members, this session will equip directors with practical insights and key questions to consider as they navigate fall planning discussions with management.
Speakers:
- Marcia Avedon, Director, Acuity Brands, Generac Power Systems, Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc.; WCD Carolinas
- Deb Lifshey, Managing Director, Pearl Meyer
- Lianne Richardson, Principal, Pearl Meyer
Shards in My Hair: An Honest Look at Leadership in the Boardroom and Beyond
August 13 at 1 PM ET (Virtual)
Landing a board seat is a triumph, but navigating it requires resilience and strategy. Join us for a candid conversation with seasoned public board director and author, Cynthia Jamison, as we examine the core themes of Shards in My Hair.
Presented in partnership with WCD Executive Sponsor, Pearl Meyer, this session features guest host Jannice Koors, Senior Managing Director, who will dive into Cynthia’s journey to the top. Together, they will give us a glimpse beyond the resume to celebrate and explore the complex, rewarding realities of the female leadership journey.
Speakers for this session include:
- Jannice Koors, Senior Managing Director, Pearl Meyer
- Cynthia Jamison, Chair, Darden Restaurants; Director, Advance Auto Parts, International Flavors & Fragrances I.F.F., Save the Children US
Navigating The Reporting and Disclosure Environment
September 17 at 12 PM ET (Virtual)
Audit committees face complex, and sometimes conflicting, expectations around transparency and disclosure, complicated by shifting guidance from regulators and standard setters, as well as investor expectations.
The proposal for optional semiannual financial reporting in the United States, consistent with some jurisdictions and breaking with others, adds another layer of judgment around timeliness, completeness, and market expectations.
How should audit committee members navigate global reporting expectations, with a focus on balancing transparency with risk, aligning financial and non-financial disclosures, and maintaining stakeholder trust?
Speakers:
- Katherine Frank, Partner, Vinson & Elkins (Moderator)
- Cornelia Gehrig, Founder & Owner of a Consulting Company; Director, SKAN Group AG, ARYZTA AG, Koras Group AG; WCD Switzerland
- Pablo Singzon, Insurance Industry Research Analyst, JP Morgan
- Angie Storm, Chief Accountant, KPMG Department of Professional Practice
CPE Credit Available:
KPMG is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final Authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219-2417. Website: https://www.nasba.org
ADDITIONAL WCD HQ UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendar and plan to attend
Evaluating Board Leadership
Effective board leadership is critical to organizational performance, yet evaluating the contributions of board chairs, committee leaders, and individual directors can be complex and sensitive. This Nominating & Governance Committee peer exchange will explore common challenges—such as bias, reluctance to provide candid feedback, and linking evaluation outcomes to succession planning—and real-world lessons learned. What are the actionable ideas to strengthen board leadership evaluation processes and enhance overall governance effectiveness?
Speakers:
- Abby Adlerman, CEO & Founder, Boardspan Inc.
- Christine Edwards, Principal, Red Bee Group; Director, BMO Financial Group, Rush University Medical Center; WCD Chicago (Moderator)
- Brad Lerman, Director, McKesson Corporation
- More to be announced
Did you know? WCD members who attend HQ-hosted events are eligible to receive a board education certificate. More details are available here.