The Corporate Director Podcast

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Catie Hall and Ariel Smilowitz from PwC’s Governance Insights Center unpack findings from PwC’s Annual Corporate Directors Survey and translate them into practical actions for boards. They explore growing pressure for board refreshment, the need for personal accountability and continuous learning, and why many assessments still don’t drive meaningful change. The conversation closes with a pragmatic roadmap for directors and board leaders, plus how generative AI is beginning to support board work.

In this episode of The Corporate Director Podcast, Rich Mullen, Partner in Wilson Sonsini’s M&A Practice, and Ranga Bodla, Vice President, Field Engagement and Marketing at NetSuite, Meghan Day to unpack a new joint report exploring transaction readiness in today’s unpredictable market. The conversation dives into governance gaps, board alignment, tech adoption, and the evolving role of boards in M&A activity. Discover why companies are rethinking transactions, how economic uncertainty and limited resources reshape dealmaking, and what opportunities AI offers for future transactions. Whether you’re navigating an acquisition or seeking best practices in board engagement and tech enablement, this episode delivers fresh insights from industry leaders and real survey data.

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast Catie Hall, Director at PwC’s Governance Insights Center, unpacks how boards can stay ahead in a fast-changing cyber landscape. She spotlights the need for ongoing director education to tackle threats like AI and global instability, urges hands-on prep with tabletop exercises, and advocates building stronger board-CISO ties through frequent, candid conversations. Catie makes it clear: directors must engage across the organization and ask tough questions to drive real cyber resilience.

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Neta Meidav, Co-Founder and CEO of the Vault Platform and Lloydette Bai-Marrow, Director at Fraud Sentinel discuss the "failure to prevent fraud" offense under the UK Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which came into effect on September 1st. This new regulation significantly impacts large companies, both within and outside the UK, by transferring corporate criminal liability if they fail to implement reasonable fraud prevention measures. Netta and Lloydette share insights on how internal compliance teams can prepare for this change. They emphasize the importance of effective whistleblowing mechanisms, robust internal controls, and a culture of accountability within organizations.

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Cindy Moehring, an experienced independent director and former Chief Compliance Officer, discusses the evolving role of compliance officers in today's complex regulatory environment. Cindy shares her insights on the biggest challenges facing compliance teams, particularly in global organizations, and highlights the importance of technology in enhancing compliance programs. Cindy's insights are timely, coming on the heels of Diligent being named a Leader in the 2025 IDC MarketScape for Worldwide GRC Software, a recognition that underscores the growing importance of advanced GRC technology in compliance programs.

In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Claudia Allen, Senior Advisor at KPMG’s Board Leadership Center, shares insights from KPMG’s Board Leadership Center recent survey of private company boards. The discussion covers challenges in strategic planning, the importance of scenario planning, and navigating the impact of AI on private companies.

Beena Ammanath, Global Head of Deloitte's AI Institute and author of 'Trustworthy AI,' shares her expertise on responsible AI adoption. She emphasizes the critical need for AI literacy among leaders and discusses decision-making frameworks essential for navigating AI's impact on the workforce. Beena advocates for redefining job roles and continuous learning to harness emerging talent effectively. She also addresses societal concerns regarding AI's influence on jobs while highlighting opportunities that arise from its integration into daily life.

Nick Shevelyov, founding partner at VCSO AI and cybersecurity thought leader, delves into the complex world of cybersecurity amidst the rise of AI. He highlights how generative AI empowers both attackers and defenders, emphasizing the threat of sophisticated spear phishing and deep fakes. Effective defense strategies are key, requiring companies to balance AI investment with strong cyber hygiene. Shevelyov also discusses the pressing need for board-level awareness of AI's implications to enhance organizational resilience against evolving threats.

Alan Murray, founding president of the Wall Street Journal's Leadership Institute, dives into the Top 250 Board Directors List. He discusses the evolving criteria for great directors and how the business landscape is altering leadership qualities, especially post-pandemic and with AI's rise. Murray touches on the increasing accountability due to new shareholder dynamics and critiques the misconceptions surrounding effective board membership. He emphasizes the need for diversity, sound judgment, and empathy in navigating the complexities directors face today.

In this episode, hosts Dottie Schindlinger and Meghan Day delve into the creation and legacy of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) with insights from notable guests. Mike Levy discusses the implications of a congressional bill which proposed to eliminate the PCAOB and transfer its responsibilities to the SEC. Sherron Watkins and Cynthia Cooper, known for exposing the Enron and WorldCom frauds respectively, share their perspectives on the importance of maintaining strong audit oversight and the potential consequences of dismantling the PCAOB and similar audit oversight bodies.