C-Suite Perspectives

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Dana Peterson speaks with economists Stephanie Guichard and Alex Heil about declining US consumer confidence, rising inflation concerns, and lowered spending expectations-- and explores how the global energy transition is reshaping markets, costs, and business strategy.

This episode provides a dual lens on the economy: the current thinking of US consumers, which shapes spending and growth, and the long-term global shift in energy systems, reshaping industries and business planning.

Leaders and executives will gain timely insights into how these trends affect both household behavior and strategic business decisions.

For more from The Conference Board:

• US Consumer Confidence

• Power Playbook: How US Businesses Can Prepare for Electricity Price Pressures

• What's Next for Wind, Solar and Other Renewable Energy?

What happens when Washington fails to fund the government? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, guest host Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, sits down with Yelena Shulyatyeva, Senior US Economist for The Conference Board Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to unpack the economic, business, and consumer impacts of a government shutdown.

From delays in critical economic data to disruptions for federal workers, contractors, and even mortgage approvals, Yelena explains the ripple effects of shutdowns across sectors. The discussion also explores how consumer confidence, GDP growth, and even the Federal Reserve's policy decisions can be influenced when the government goes dark.

Whether you're a business leader preparing for uncertainty, an investor tracking economic signals, or simply curious about how a shutdown affects everyday life, this conversation offers clarity and context on one of Washington's most disruptive events.

The lawsuit against certain US tariffs could be resolved soon, but uncertainty for businesses will likely linger.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to rule in November on certain tariffs issued by the Administration. What's at stake in the case, and how can businesses prepare for all possible outcomes?

Join Steve Odland and guest John Gardner, vice president of public policy at the Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board, to find out how this lawsuit started, how the Supreme Court could potentially rule, and what the administration could do in response.

For more from The Conference Board:

• Tariffs: On to the Supreme Court and New Executive Order

• Federal Circuit Tariff Ruling: More Uncertainty

• Tariff Tracker

The global economy is slowing — but is it a recession, stagflation, or just a soft patch? In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Steve Odland speaks with Erik Lundh, Senior Global Economist at The Conference Board, about the latest forecast for the US and world economies.

They break down:

• Why US growth in 2025 will feel sluggish

• The role of tariffs, inflation, and labor markets

• Outlooks for Europe, China, India, and beyond

• The Fed's next moves on interest rates

• How "gray swans" and AI could reshape the decade ahead

This episode was recorded on September 16, 2025.

For more from The Conference Board:

• Global Forecast Update

• Global Gray Swans Tool

• The Economic Outlook—Storms or Sunshine Ahead?

As organizations head into 2026, pay planning has become more strategic than ever. Salary budgets remain firm, but workforce strategies are shifting toward automation, reskilling, and greater pay transparency.

Diana Scott welcomes Mitchell Barnes and Rita Meyerson of The Conference Board to discuss how salary budgets are evolving; why pay equity and transparency are critical to retention; and how economists, HR leaders, and members of the C-Suite can partner to shape resilient, future-ready workforce strategies.

Only one in four governance leaders say succession planning is a top priority, even as activists press for change and many CEOs stay in their roles longer than ever.

In this episode, host Steve Odland sits down with Bonnie Gwin, Vice Chair and Global Co-Managing Partner, CEO and Board Practice, Heidrick & Struggles, and a leading voice on governance and board effectiveness.

Together, they unpack the risks of neglecting succession, explore best practices for director refreshment, and explain why agility and resilience are now must-have CEO traits. The conversation also highlights how boards are grappling with black swans, geopolitical turmoil, cybersecurity, and the uncertain governance of AI.

For more from The Conference Board:

• Are Boards Effective? Here's What OurLatest Research Says

• Corporate Citizenship in Transition: Lessons from 2025

• Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World

CVS Health is striving to improve health care delivery in five key areas: cost, quality, access, experience, and equity. What changes are necessary to ensure better outcomes across the US health care system?

Join Steve Odland and guest Dr. Sree Chaguturu, executive vice president and president of healthcare delivery at CVS Health, to find out what value-based care looks like, why primary care needs subspecialties, and how CVS Health is meeting the different needs of different demographics across its portfolio.

For more from The Conference Board:

• 26th Annual Employee Health Care Conference

• Explainer: Medicare

• Major Changes to Affordable Care Act Enrollment Policies

The Federal Reserve has come under scrutiny, including uncertainty over whether the President can remove Fed governors — and under what circumstances. What does it mean to call the Federal Reserve "independent," and how does that work in practice?

Join Steve Odland and guest Yelena Shulyatyeva, senior US Economist for The Conference Board Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out about the Federal Reserve's origins, who selects Fed governors and regional presidents, and why the Fed's independence matters to the economy.

For more from The Conference Board:

• The Conference Board Economic Forecast for the US Economy

• Executive Order Seeks to Address Alleged Political Bias In Bank Access

• Stablecoin Law Represents New Era for Crypto

Every month, Americans – both consumers and businesses -- turn to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to understand the health of the US economy and what to expect next. How can businesses and Congress support and improve the work of this agency?

Join Steve Odland and guest Erica Groshen, former commissioner of BLS from 2013 to 2017, to find out how BLS conducts surveys, how monthly revisions work, and what's limiting the agency from being even more effective.

For more from The Conference Board:

• The Conference Board Employment Trends Index™ (ETI)

• Responding to US Labor Shortages

• Policy Alert: Executive Orders to Strengthen the Current and Future Workforce

Electricity demand is expected to increase 25% by 2050. How can renewable energy sources in the US help fill the gap?

Renewables will soon produce 25% of US electricity generation, and they've already surpassed coal as a share of output. How can renewables continue to meet the growing demand for energy, and what can we expect from emerging sources such as geothermal and fusion?

Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, senior economist at The Conference Board, to find out why US energy usage is projected to increase, what's next for nuclear, solar, and wind, and why further efficiencies can be found by upgrading today's grid.

For more from The Conference Board:

· Endless Power Revisited: Recent Fusion Energy Breakthroughs & Near-Term Outlook

· Blown Away: Overcoming Variability in Wind Power Key to a Decarbonized Grid

· Under Ground: Geothermal Electricity's Potential as a Supplemental Power Source