Global Institute Summary 2018

More than 200 directors and C-level executives attended the 2018 Global Institute in New York May 7-9. Panel discussions explored how deglobalization, culture change and digital disruption are impacting global markets, shareholder interests, and capital flow.  Click here to see a gallery of this years events.

The luncheon on May 8, hosted by Northern Trust, featured a special recognition of WCD’s Co-founders, Susan Stautberg and Alison Winter, as well as the many who over the years contributed to WCD’s development including a group of women who met around Susan Stautberg’s dining room table to discuss how WCD could become a reality, the early WCD chapter chairs and others.

WCD Singapore member, Maggie Hanson-Muse was the first recipient of an award newly named after co-founder Susan Stautberg: The Susan S. Stautberg Member Leadership Award. This award will be presented annually to a member who serves as an ambassador of WCD and exemplifies strength in leadership and dedication to gender parity on boards.

Maggie has been a true champion of WCD, helping us to launch chapters in Peru, Colombia, Singapore, India and Myanmar.


A surprise video honoring Susan Stautberg, and featuring well wishes from global chapter chairs, was also part of the festivities during lunch. 

S&P 500 Director Summit

 WCD’s second annual S&P 500 director summit was attended by 50 female directors and featured an intimate discussion between Patricia “Pat” Russo, lead director, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Maggie Wilderotter, director, HPE. The topic was leading through disruption and lessons learned in resilience.

Companies represented included: AFLAC, Alaska air Group, Ameren Corp, Ametek, Andeavor, Brighthouse Financial, Brunswick Corp, CarMax, Citigroup, Discover Financial, Equifax, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huntington Ingalls Industries, KeyCorp, Lifepoint Health, Mutual of Omaha Insurance, Newmont Mining, ServiceMaster, Signet Jewelers, Tenga, Tenneco, Transcontinental, Inc., Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Xylem.

Family Business Governance Institute

The FBGI was attended by 95 directors and executives and featured panel discussions on succession planning, governing for agility and growth, and how to find harmony between private equity, family and independent directors. A conversation with Lauren Tracy and Pat Tracy, of Dot Foods was also a highlight.

Sip & Shop

For the first time, the annual Sip & Shop event, which has become a favorite way for members to connect with each other in a fun environment, was hosted by St. John Knits on Fifth Avenue. The evening included a special drink created just for the event called “the boardroom secret” and a percentage of the proceeds were donated to WCD.

2018 Visionary Awards

 WCD would like to once again congratulate all of the winners who received annual Visionary Awards during WCD’s Annual Visionary Dinner, which was held on the evening of May 9.

A special word of thanks to Visionary Awards Selection Committee co-chairs, Jill Kanin-Lovers and Joan Steel, for their dedication and hard work, as well as the other outstanding members who served as part of the committee: Sherry Barrat, Barbara Bowles, Christie Hefner, Carmen “Toti” Graham, Izumi Kobayashi, Kathryn McCarthy, Pat McKay, Estelle Metayer, Susan Remmer Ryzewic, Theo Schwabacher and Susan Stautberg. Recognition and thanks to Laurie Ann Goldman, WCD Visionary Awards Dinner Chair and Theo Schwabacher, WCD Fundraising Chair, for their efforts to secure corporate table sponsors and special donations as part of the event.

• CN Railway - Visionary Award for Leadership and Governance of a Public Company
• Dot Foods - Visionary Award for Leadership and Governance of a Private Company
• NextEra Energy – Visionary Award for Innovation in Shared Value
• Susan Stautberg – Visionary Award for Strategic Leadership

Thought Leadership Commission Report

The WCD Thought Leadership Commission – composed of 21 directors and advisors of top global companies – has taken on board decision-making in its new report, Decision-Making in the Visionary Boardroom. Developed in collaboration with KPMG, this year’s report taps the Commissioners’ deep experience in boardrooms around the world and provides strategies for boards to sharpen their decision-making capabilities. Click here to see the related video.