S2E5 | Moving the Needle on Board Diversity: A Conversation with NACD’s Peter Gleason

On this episode of the Principled podcast, host Ben DiPietro, Editor of LRN’s ENC Pulse Newsletter, interviews Peter Gleason, the CEO of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). Peter explains how the expectations of a board have expanded over the last 10 years, resulting in the need for a certification from the NACD to prepare new board members for the boardroom. In addition, there is increased pressure on boards from investors and activists to improve board composition and to take a stance on controversial social issues. Peter also explains how Ethics and Compliance professionals can position themselves and prepare for the boardroom.

What You’ll Learn on This Episode
[0:58] How long has NACD existed and what was his journey to becoming CEO?

[2:34] NACD recently released a new program to certify board members. Why is this being done now and what benefits do you expect to see from this?

[4:39] What will it take to get the majority of boards to embrace diversity, not just in gender and race, but in age and skill sets? Why has progress been so slow?

[7:20] What role are investors and activists having in driving action on board composition and oversight, and how are boards responding?

[10:01] There’s been a lot of focus on CEOs and the stances they take on controversial public issues. Do you see this coming for directors, and are they prepared for it?

[11:55] Why does Gleason think more boards don’t have directors with ethics and compliance backgrounds? What can ethics and compliance professionals do to make themselves more attractive board candidates?

Find this episode of Principled on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Podyssey or anywhere you listen to podcasts.