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.

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 - 09:55 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.

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM ET

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

Measuring growth and setting the pay-performance relationship is an annual challenge made more complicated by a volatile business environment. We will explore the selection of the right metrics for measurement to determine payouts while balanced with the need to attract and retain talent. From market shocks and regulatory pivots to shifting company priorities, we will explore how growth metrics must flex with evolving internal structures and external forces.

11:05 AM - 11:50 AM ET

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

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.

11:55 AM - 12:30 PM ET

Intertwining Compensation Strategy with Business Strategy

Considerations for executive compensation program updates due to disruptions in the business environment can uncover gaps in underlying premises for rewarding success in business operations and leading to important and deep discussions that clarify strategic intent. From market shocks and regulatory pivots to shifting company priorities, we will explore how metrics must flex with evolving internal structures and external forces.

01:35 PM - 02:10 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.

02:15 PM - 02:50 PM ET

Legal Update & Potential Challenges – Proskauer Rose LLP

From global tax shifts to DEI litigation and pay transparency laws, legal disruption continues to shape how organizations balance regulatory compliance with innovation in comp design. Our legal experts will provide an update on current and pending legal changes to consider in crafting executive compensation plans and employment agreements.

02:55 PM - 03:30 PM ET

Being Nimble on the List of Topics for Potential Board Compensation Committee Action – Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Pending tax changes, evolving regulations, and intensifying social activism are rapidly shifting the priorities of Board Compensation Committees. This session explores how boards are determining which emerging issues require action, making real-time adjustments to compensation programs, and applying frameworks that support sound, timely decisions. It will also examine the growing scope of committee responsibilities—including Committee title changes—as boards adapt governance structures to keep pace with a more complex and disruptive operating environment.

03:50 PM - 04:25 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.

04:30 PM - 05:15 PM ET

Ask the Experts – Pay Governance, FW Cook, Semler Brossy

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.

05:20 PM - 05:35 PM ET

Closing Remarks