REGISTRATION

MODERATOR

Kimberly Franko
Partner, Baker & McKenzie LLP

Kim Franko is a partner in the Employment & Compensation Practice Group in BakerMcKenzie’s New York office and advises clients on labor and employment issues in connection with US and cross-border corporate transactions.

Kim’s practice focuses on advising public and private companies, as well as private equity funds, on all labor, employment and immigration issues arising out of mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs and other corporate transactions. Kim counsels companies in a variety of industries on the implementation of employment policies, reductions in force and pre-litigation matters, including enforcement of restrictive covenants. Kim also advises clients with respect to the negotiation and drafting of sophisticated employment, consulting, separation and restrictive covenant agreements.

PANELISTS

Tanuja Dehne
President and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

Tanuja Dehne is the President & CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. Alongside her team, Tanuja is leading the Dodge Foundation’s transformation into an antiracist organization dedicated to realizing a just and equitable New Jersey.

Tanuja is an experienced public company director, having served on four publicly traded companies and as chairs of compensation and governance committees. She is also a former C-level executive of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 250 power company. Tanuja is an award winning corporate attorney, human resources professional, and community volunteer who thrives when making a positive difference in the lives of others. An active member of her community, Tanuja serves on several non-profit boards, including in higher education.

As a leading governance expert with a focus on environmental, social and governance matters, Tanuja is the Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of Drexel University’s Gupta Governance Institute. She is on the Faculty of NACD’s Board Advisory Services, is an NACD Board Leadership Fellow and was recognized as one of the “2018 NACD Directorship 100.” In 2017, she was named a “Director to Watch” by Directors & Boards.

Tanuja earned her undergraduate degree from Lafayette College, her Master's degree in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and her Juris Doctor degree with honors from Syracuse University College of Law. Tanuja is a 200HR RYT certified yoga instructor who integrates mindfulness and movement in her personal and professional lives.

Laurel McCarthy
Senior Associate, Spencer Stuart

Laurel McCarthy is a Senior Associate at Spencer Stuart, specializing in Board Director assignments. In her work with Spencer Stuart’s North American Board Practice, Laurel consults with CEOs, Chairs of Boards, Chairs of Nominating/Governance Committees and other board leaders to understand boardroom needs, identify potential director candidates and assess the Board’s culture. Laurel’s work spans all types of companies, from pre-IPO to Fortune 100, and includes private and public companies and executives from around the globe.