Sonita Lontoh: On Board Culture, Innovation, and Creative Tension

Jun 3, 2024

Sonita Lontoh, a seasoned expert in innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation, shares insights on board culture, handling politicization, and geopolitical challenges. She discusses AI in the boardroom, impacts on the workplace, and recommends influential books. Lontoh reflects on her entrepreneurial journey, guiding principles, and impactful mentors, offering a glimpse into her diverse and inspiring career.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Discussion on Chance Meetings, EY Governance Center Event, and Board Culture Perspectives

02:50 • 3min

Entrepreneurial Journey in Greater China Region

05:24 • 8min

Navigating Board Culture and Geopolitical Challenges

13:35 • 33min

Reflections on Influences: Books and Mentors

46:57 • 2min

Exploring Resonant Principles, Quirky Habits, and Admirable Individuals

49:18 • 4min

(0:00) Intro.

(1:24) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.

(2:12) Start of interview.

(4:04) Sonita's "origin story."

(5:45) Her professional career, starting with a startup in the gaming industry.

(8:15) Her guiding principles for her career at the intersection of innovation, sustainability and digital transformation.

(9:30) Her roles at HP, Siemens and PG&E.

(11:00) Her board "portfolio" life starting in 2022: SunRun and TrueBlue. Advisor to Sway Ventures.

(14:02) About the NACD Blue Ribbon Commission on Board Culture (where she served as a Commissioner).

(17:00) Surprises and takeaways from the report.

(22:30) Recommendations for handling the increasing politicization in the boardroom.

(26:42) On geopolitics in the boardroom. Supply-chain vs consumer market.

(31:30) On the solar and battery industry geopolitical landscape.

(38:23) How should directors think about AI in the boardroom. "Everyday AI" vs "Game-changing AI". Use cases: 1) Back-office capabilities, 2) core capabilities, 3) front office, 4) New products and services. AI code of conduct. Use of data. Cybersecurity.

(43:51) On the impact of AI in the workplace. *reference to study by Erik Brynjolfsson

(47:09) Books that have greatly influenced her life:

The Five Levels of Leadership, by John Maxwell (2011)
Venture Mindset, by Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang (2024)
Last Lecture Series at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (July 2023), by Graham Weaver.

(48:06) Her mentors.

(49:22) Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by.

(50:44) An unusual habit or absurd thing that she loves.

(51:30) The living person she most admires.

Sonita Lontoh is a public company board director, strategic advisor, and former Fortune 100 senior executive who focuses on digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability — contributing positive impact to businesses, consumers, and society.

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Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License