Teneo Insights Podcast

As companies enter 2026 with steadier confidence but a far more complex geopolitical and technological backdrop, CEOs are reassessing how to position their organizations for durable performance in a world where strategic clarity is harder to come by. In this episode of the Teneo Insights Series, host Kevin Kajiwara is joined by Teneo CEO Paul Keary to break down the results of Vision 2026: Where Is the World Going in 2026 and Beyond?, examining how executives are interpreting shifting market signals, responding to transformative technologies and navigating an environment where resilience and adaptability remain essential advantages. The report captures the views of more than 350 global CEOs and 400 institutional investors representing more than $19 trillion USD of company and portfolio value, offering a data-driven look at how leaders expect the global economy to take shape in 2026 and beyond.

As geopolitical tensions sharpen and the long arc of AI-driven transformation becomes harder to predict, CEOs are increasingly split on whether the turbulence shaping today’s markets reflects a passing cycle or a more permanent shift in the global order. In this special edition of the Teneo Insights Series, host Kevin Kajiwara sits down with Teneo Chairwoman Ursula Burns to explore the findings of Teneo’s annual CEO survey, Vision 2026: Where Is the World Going in 2026 and Beyond?, offering insight into how leaders are recalibrating expectations around growth, innovation and resilience amid a rapidly evolving business environment. The report captures the views of more than 350 global CEOs and 400 institutional investors representing more than $19 trillion USD of company and portfolio value, offering a data-driven look at how leaders expect the global economy to take shape in 2026 and beyond.

Jonathan Foster, founder of Current Capital Partners and author with vast board experience, joins Martha Carter, Vice Chair at Teneo and governance advisor. They dive into evolving board dynamics, discussing the importance of CEO succession planning and performance assessments. Foster champions separating CEO and chair roles for better transparency, while Carter highlights challenges like climate risks and stakeholder communication. They also touch on the need for proactive director education and the crucial balance between shareholder and stakeholder interests.

Listen now to the latest on the renewed escalation between the United States and China as President Trump threatens sweeping 100% tariffs in response to Beijing’s new export controls on critical materials. In this Quick Take edition of the Teneo Insights Series, host Kevin Kajiwara speaks with Wendy Cutler, former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and Principal at WestExec Advisors, and Gabriel Wildau, Managing Director at Teneo. Together, they unpack how a series of policy announcements has reignited trade tensions, what this means for global supply chains and markets, and whether upcoming diplomacy at the APEC summit can avert a deeper economic confrontation.

Amidst ongoing geopolitical volatility, economic uncertainty and accelerated technological disruption, financial leaders are forced to make critical decisions in real time. In this edition of the Teneo Insights Series, host Kevin Kajiwara is joined by Bloomberg Senior Editor Nina Trentmann and Teneo Senior Managing Director and Co-Head of Investor Relations Christian Buss to discuss findings from Teneo’s inaugural Global CFO and Investor Outlook Survey. Drawing on insights from 132 CFOs and 200 institutional investors representing over $16.7 trillion in market cap and AUM, the conversation explores how leaders are responding to today’s most urgent financial and strategic challenges.

As U.S.-China tensions escalate across trade, security and geopolitics, both countries appear locked in a strategic competition with global consequences. In this episode, Director of the RAND China Research Center Jude Blanchette and Professor of Finance at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Zhu Ning join host Kevin Kajiwara to explore the economic and geopolitical dynamics shaping Beijing’s long-term strategy—and Washington’s response. From China’s evolving trade posture and domestic stimulus efforts to rising risks in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, this conversation examines what’s driving the relationship today and what it could mean for global markets, supply chains and long-term stability.

As Europe approaches a pivotal election in Germany on February 23rd, mounting tensions between the U.S. and Europe take center stage, particularly over negotiations on the Russia-Ukraine war. With shifting global power dynamics, a key question emerges: can Europe rely on the U.S. as it once did? In this episode, Teneo Managing Director Carsten Nickel and WestExec Advisors Principal and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder join host Kevin Kajiwara to examine the evolving transatlantic relationship. As Europe navigates this uncertainty, its leaders face critical decisions on security, sovereignty and alliances. This discussion unpacks what happens when the old geopolitical rules no longer apply and explores the forces shaping the continent’s future.

As the second Trump Administration begins, expectations are high for pro-growth policies and a favorable regulatory environment that could drive increased M&A activity. Join Teneo Insights Series host Kevin Kajiwara and guests Makan Delrahim, Partner at Latham & Watkins and former Assistant Attorney General in charge of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, Lauren Thomas, Lead Deals Reporter at The Wall Street Journal and Teneo Senior Managing Director Stephen Cohen for a timely discussion on the evolving M&A landscape, including potential shifts in antitrust enforcement and market dynamics. The conversation also explores how businesses and investors are preparing for new challenges and opportunities, from changing policies and geopolitical considerations to the broader economic implications of this pivotal moment.

Despite geopolitical tensions, trade wars and market volatility, global CEOs and investors remain optimistic about 2025. In this special edition of the Teneo Insights Series, our host Kevin Kajiwara is joined by Teneo Chairwoman Ursula Burns and CEO Paul Keary to discuss the results of Teneo’s recent survey of global CEOs and institutional investors. “Vision 2025: Where is the World Going in 2025 and Beyond?” captures perspectives from more than 300 global public company CEOs and 380 institutional investors representing approximately $10 trillion USD in company and portfolio value. The report offers unique perspectives on key issues facing corporate leaders in 2025 and beyond and includes findings on the macroeconomic outlook, M&A, geopolitics, innovation, ESG and leadership.

The geopolitical landscape of 2025 is poised for profound shifts as structural changes continue to reshape global dynamics. In this episode, Teneo’s geopolitical risk experts join host Kevin Kajiwara to explore key trends and risks shaping the year ahead. From the global implications of the impending Trump presidency and how regions like Europe, China, Canada and Mexico are preparing for possible tariff threats to developments in the Middle East, including the collapse of the Assad regime and prospects for peace, this discussion provides essential insights for navigating the challenges and opportunities in 2025 and beyond. Read Teneo’s latest insights in "What to Watch in 2025," where our geopolitical risk team delves even further into the key trends, regional flashpoints and critical risks shaping the world.