Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World

08:10 AM - 09:00 AM ET

Topic Roundtables

Kick off your event value with a deep dive into the executive compensation issue that matters most to you—while forging valuable connections with peers who share your focus and priorities. Whether it’s setting performance goals in a volatile business environment, responding to shifting investor expectations around ESG, evolving the content needed by the Board Compensation Committee, or adjusting your executive compensation program for the continued evolution of AI, these conversations will surface real-world challenges and forward-thinking strategies. The insights and findings on each topic will be presented tomorrow morning for further exploration and comments by a distinguished panel of executive compensation leaders.
• Market Volatility and Compensation Adjustments - Managing risk by including flexibility in executive compensation incentive plan payment determination
• Pros and Cons of Non-Monetary Benefits in Executive Compensation Packages - Benefit and headache of flexible work arrangements, private jets, executive health benefits, etc. for executive attraction and retention
• Executive Compensation Volatility and Succession Planning - Difficulty of aligning long-term compensation with long-term leadership plans
• Risk of Following/not-following Proxy Advisor Guidance - Board adaptation to evolving recommendations from Glass Lewis and ISS

09:00 AM - 09:10 AM ET

Our Theme Introduction

"Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World," underscores the complexity of designing pay programs in an environment shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, cultural scrutiny, rapid technological change, and shifting corporate structures. Today’s compensation decisions demand more than market benchmarking—they require agility, strategic alignment, and a readiness to respond to forces well beyond the C-suite.

09:15 AM - 09:40 AM ET

Thoughts from the Board Room

Steve Odland, Board member, CEO, and host of C-Suite Perspectives podcast, will share a boardroom perspective on overseeing and approving executive compensation plans. Mr. Odland will comment on key current issues including the incentive risk-reward relationship, social implications associated with incentive plan goals, and executive retention in a volatile stock market.

Steve Odland, President and CEO, The Conference Board

Jo Anne Rioli Moeller, Senior Fellow, Human Capital, The Conference Board

09:45 AM - 10:15 AM ET

Navigating Economic Shifts, Policy Change, and Cultural Pressure in Compensation Decisions

Macroeconomic volatility, government intervention, technological change, and cultural headwinds are no longer background noise—they are central forces shaping executive compensation strategy. TCB Leadership will share a forward-looking framework that links external disruption to internal decision-making, offering data-driven insights on the business environment, regulatory shifts, and evolving talent demands that boards must navigate to design resilient and effective pay programs.

Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader, Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, The Conference Board

Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center Leader, The Conference Board

David K. Young, President, Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board (CED)

10:20 AM - 11:05 AM ET

2025-2026 Challenges for Executive Incentive Growth Metrics in a Volatile Environment

Measuring growth and maintaining the pay-performance relationship is an annual challenge made more complicated by volatility in the business environment. We will explore several ways of navigating that volatility, from metric selection and measurement to overall incentive program design, to ensure that pay programs remain motivational, attractive, and retentive. From market shocks and regulatory pivots to shifting company priorities, we will discuss how compensation programs must flex with evolving internal structures and external forces in order to drive performance.

Dana Etra, Managing Director, FW Cook

Stephen Hom, Principal, FW Cook

11:25 AM - 12:10 PM ET

Scrutiny of Performance Share Units vs. Other Long-term Compensation Vehicle

We will discuss if the increased uncertainty in the business environment will support a potential shift away from Performance Share Units (PSUs) as the primary vehicle for delivering long-term compensation to other simpler and longer duration vehicles for measuring long-term performance. We will also explore how the long-term vehicle mix needs to evolve with the move between company private and public status – reflecting structural shifts in ownership, investor expectations, and business continuity.

12:15 PM - 12:50 PM ET

Using Compensation to Shape Business Strategy and Cultural Change

Executive compensation can be an important reinforcer of organizational change. As companies respond to market shocks, regulatory shifts, and evolving priorities, rethinking compensation programs can help them pivot and drive behaviors and values needed for success. We will explore how compensation design can drive business strategy and shift company culture.

Greg Arnold, Managing Director, Semler Brossy

01:50 PM - 02:20 PM ET

Public Policy Disruption

Significant updates in public policy around social priorities are prompting companies to rethink how cultural values are reflected in executive compensation. We will examine the growing use of cultural metrics in incentive plans and the implications for disclosure in the Proxy CD&A. As stakeholder expectations expand beyond financial outcomes, governance practices must evolve to demonstrate alignment with both cultural accountability and investor priorities.

Ani Huang, President & CEO, Center On Executive Compensation, SVP, HR Policy Association

Arthur H. Kohn, General Counsel - ERISA, Compensation & Benefits, Citi

02:25 PM - 03:00 PM ET

Legal Update & Addressing Potential Challenges in Executive Compensation

Legal disruption and the shifting regulatory and business landscape continue to impact the design and operation of executive compensation programs and shape how organizations address legal compliance. Our panel of legal practitioners will provide an update on DEI and ESG considerations relating to incentive compensation, restrictive covenant laws and other key legal developments to consider in crafting or redesigning executive compensation plans, programs and arrangements as well as employment and other executive-level agreements.

Andrea S. Rattner, Partner, Proskauer Rose LLP

03:05 PM - 03:40 PM ET

Boardroom Agility: How Compensation Committees Are Managing Emerging Risks

Compensation committees are facing a growing list of emerging priorities—from potential tax law changes and evolving regulatory expectations to increasing scrutiny around governance and pay practices. This session will explore how nimble committees are determining which issues require immediate attention, making timely adjustments to compensation programs, and adapting their charters and structures to meet new demands. We’ll also highlight the most pressing issues currently facing compensation committees and how boards are positioning themselves to respond.

04:00 PM - 04:35 PM ET

A CFO’s Perspective on Executive Compensation and Financial Reporting

CFOs are deeply involved in the design and governance of executive compensation, shaping plans that must hold up under financial scrutiny and deliver on strategic goals. This conversation will focus on how CFOs evaluate the link between pay and shareholder value, quantify the impact of compensation on earnings, and flag risks for the Audit Committee. The CFO’s role is critical in ensuring metrics align executive pay short and long-term performance.

04:40 PM - 05:25 PM ET

Ask the Experts

Bring your toughest questions to a panel of seasoned executive compensation leaders. Whether it’s AI-driven forecasting, evolving stakeholder demands, or regulatory uncertainty, no topic is off limits. A running list of questions gathered throughout the conference will shape the discussion—offering direct, practical insights on how to navigate disruption from every angle.

05:30 PM - 05:45 PM ET

Closing Remarks

05:45 PM - 06:45 PM ET

Reception