Private Company & Family Business Peer Exchange:
Unlocking Family Office Capital: Strategy, Access, and Relationship Architecture
May 13, 2026 (Virtual)
For companies looking to raise capital, family offices have increasingly become a viable source of funding. Unlike venture capital or private equity, family offices have more flexibility around return of capital, allowing for longer-term investment horizons. This Peer Exchange will explore how family offices evaluate opportunities, what differentiates them from other institutional capital, and what boards and management should understand about their investment mandates, governance expectations, and risk tolerance.
Speakers for this session include Tanya Burnell, Francesca Berrondo, Kathryn Coffey, and Noelle Laing.
Nom/Gov Peer Exchange:
The Shifting Landscape of Proxy Advisors
May 18, 2026 (Virtual)
While proxy advisors have long played a central role in providing institutional investors with research and analysis on proxy voting matters, increased scrutiny from regulators, evolving expectations for issuer engagement, and new approaches from investors related to their voting policies and practices are shifting the landscape.
As investors and regulators reconsider the role of proxy advisors, what structural effects should boards and Nominating and Governance committees be preparing for?
Speakers for this session include Raquel Fox, Peter Reali, and Jessica Wirth Strine.
WCDirect Event:
Turbulence & Transition:
Governing Through Geopolitical and Global Energy Crises
June 1, 2026 (Virtual)
As global energy markets face both geopolitical-related disruption and shifts in production related to the energy transition—boards must navigate increasingly complex planning around second- and third-order impacts on their organizations.
This session brings together insights from S&P Global and experienced board members to examine the key issues facing directors across both energy and non-energy companies.
We will explore:
The impact of geopolitical and regional dynamics on risk, resilience, and decision-making
The macro trends redefining the global energy sector
The evolving energy transition and implications for strategy and capital allocation
Compensation & Human Capital Peer Exchange:
Talent Management: Evolving Workforce Environments & Next Gen Workers
June 2, 2026 (Virtual)
Workplace needs are evolving, and leaders are continually evaluating how to build and sustain a diverse, productive workforce. Next Gen workers expect purpose, inclusion, flexibility, and meaningful growth — requiring boards and executives to rethink talent management, development, retention strategies, and total rewards design to create a true competitive advantage. How should career pathways, compensation structures and recognition programs evolve to better align with these expectations? How can board members influence the leadership pipeline to ensure that Next Gen workers are identified, developed, and, most importantly, retained?
Speakers for this event include Angie Freeman, Bari Harlam, Lianne Richardson, and Lisa Shall.
Audit Committee Peer Exchange:
Ethics in AI: Audit Committee Oversight
June 9, 2026 (Virtual)
As artificial intelligence reshapes business operations and risk landscapes, audit committees must elevate their governance responsibilities to ensure AI is deployed responsibly, ethically, and in alignment with stakeholder expectations. Learn to ask management the right questions about AI controls, understanding risks related to privacy and bias, and strengthening internal audit and external assurance practices in an AI-enabled environment.
Speakers for this session will be announced soon.
ADDITIONAL WCD HQ UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendar and plan to attend
Join Women Corporate Directors (WCD) on June 15-16 for our 2026 Europe Regional Institute. We will begin the event in the afternoon of the 15th with a welcome reception, followed by the Institute on the 16th. The flagship event will also celebrate the relaunch of WCD France.
Bringing together governance leaders and WCD members from around the world, the Europe Regional Institute aims to discuss pressing topics and emerging considerations in corporate governance and provide networking opportunities. We are delighted that our Institute will immediately precede the VivaTech conference, and there will be opportunities for attendees to participate in VivaTech-related experiences.
Mark your calendar and plan to join us in Paris. The agenda, speakers and additional details will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Did you know? WCD members who attend HQ-hosted events are eligible to receive a board education certificate. More details are available here.