Board assessments have evolved from routine, check-the-box exercises into critical tools for improving performance, strengthening culture, and identifying hidden risks. In this conversation, Stuart R. Levine shares how effective evaluations balance quantitative rigor with qualitative insight, uncovering the nuances that surveys alone often miss. He explains why confidentiality and independence are essential to building trust and eliciting honest feedback from directors.

The discussion explores emerging trends, including individual director evaluations, the role of external facilitators, and the increasing importance of board culture in a rapidly changing environment. Through real-world examples, Stuart highlights how thoughtful assessments can reveal subtle inefficiencies, improve collaboration with management, and ultimately enhance a board’s strategic impact.

What You'll Learn:

• How to move beyond superficial "check-the-box" surveys by blending quantitative data with qualitative interviews to uncover hidden board nuances.
• The strategic value of incorporating feedback from top management to identify trust blockages and align the board with executive leadership.
• Practical ways to build "governance plumbing" using dashboards that track cultural indicators like employee turnover and satisfaction.
• Why choosing an external facilitator with deep experience is essential for navigating the speed of global change and sensitive director evaluations.
• How to identify high-performing directors by looking for rigorous preparation, punctuality, and a proactive commitment to continuous learning.

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To learn more & get resources:

• OnBoard: www.onboardmeetings.com
• Podcast & episodes: www.publiccompanyseries.com
• Download the book: www.nyse.com/pcs

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Boards today are navigating a landscape defined by constant change, emerging risks, and evolving expectations. In this episode, Doug Chia sits down with Jane Edison Stevenson and Claudia Pici Morris of Korn Ferry to explore how board succession must adapt to meet these challenges. They discuss the shift from relying on past experience to cultivating a continuous learning mindset, and why agility, curiosity, and self-awareness are becoming essential traits for directors.

The conversation introduces the concept of “corporate wisdom” and examines how diverse perspectives in the boardroom can shape better decisions. Jane and Claudia also unpack what it truly means for a board to be “fit for purpose,” emphasizing the importance of forward-looking succession planning, evolving mindsets, and the ability to bring in expertise dynamically.

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To learn more & get resources:

• OnBoard: www.onboardmeetings.com
• Podcast & episodes: www.publiccompanyseries.com
• Download the book: www.nyse.com/pcs

Subscribe now to hear insights from the most respected voices in corporate law and governance.

Corporate spinoffs are among the most complex strategic transactions a company can undertake. In this episode, Doug Chia speaks with Rama Variankaval, Managing Director and Global Head of Corporate Advisory at JP Morgan, about the governance and strategic considerations involved in spinning off a business into a standalone public company.

The conversation explores why companies pursue corporate separations, how boards navigate their fiduciary responsibilities during these transactions, and what it takes to build an effective board for a newly independent company. Rama explains the strategic drivers behind spinoffs, from valuation pressures to diverging business models, and discusses how leadership teams must carefully design governance structures, balance sheets, and management teams to set the new entity up for long-term success.

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To learn more & get resources:

• OnBoard: www.onboardmeetings.com
• Podcast & episodes: www.publiccompanyseries.com
• Download the book: www.nyse.com/pcs

Subscribe now to hear insights from the most respected voices in corporate law and governance.