C-Suite Perspectives

How are US consumers feeling as summer begins — and what should business leaders know about the growing economic impact of extreme heat?

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center at The Conference Board, is joined by Alex Heil, Senior Economist.

They begin by examining the latest US Consumer Confidence Survey, discussing why confidence improved modestly in June, how consumers are thinking about inflation, interest rates, employment, and recession risks, and what those expectations could mean for spending in the months ahead.

In the second half of the conversation, the focus shifts to one of the defining business challenges of our time: extreme heat. Alex explains how rising temperatures are affecting workers, productivity, energy systems, supply chains, and business operations around the world, while highlighting practical considerations for executives looking to build resilience.

For more from The Conference Board:

• US Consumer Confidence
• Forecast for the US Economy
• Global Economic Outlook

Carbon reporting gives you data but isn't a strategy. How do businesses like DuPont put that data into context so they can make better, smarter business decisions?

Join Steve Odland and guest Scott Collick, chief sustainability officer and vice president of sustainability and regulatory compliance at DuPont. Learn how Collick defines "carbon fluency," why companies should switch from spend-based models to activity-based models, and why sustainability needs to be fully integrated with the rest of the business.

For more from The Conference Board:

• Measuring Sustainability ROI in an Era of Risk & Resilience

• Did US Companies Pull Back from Sustainability Reporting in 2025?

• Corporate GHG Emissions Progress: Scope 1 and Scope 2 in Focus

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board, is joined by Matei Farcas and Konstantinos Panitsas of The Conference Board Europe to analyze the latest Consumer Confidence Index findings for the Euro Area.

Together, they discuss the factors shaping consumer sentiment; explore how inflation expectations, labor market concerns, and geopolitical developments are influencing household behavior; and consider what business leaders should watch as they navigate a more cautious consumer environment.

More from The Conference Board:

• Euro Area Consumer Confidence Stabilized in Early 2026 but Remains Weak

• European Consumer Confidence database

• 2 Years Below Neutral: European CEO Confidence Falls as Outlook Deteriorates

• Where to Hire: Europe 2026

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, there are questions about the future of leadership, citizenship, and civic life in a country that seems increasingly polarized. How can higher education develop young people to be the citizens and leaders we need?

Join David Young and guest Katherine A. Rowe, president, William & Mary, to learn about the university's role in educating American founders, why students should develop civic leadership skills, and how William & Mary encourages better arguments.

For more from The Conference Board:

• 250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future

• America at 250: How Can We Move Past Political Deadlock?

• A Stable Democracy at 250: Trusted Elections as the Foundation

This episode was recorded on June 15 as part of the Policy Talks series hosted by The Conference Board.

Up to 330,000 companies could receive tariff refunds because of the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a swath of tariffs. How can communication leaders tell a story about the tariff refunds that builds trust across stakeholders, including employees, customers, and investors?

Join Ivan Pollard and guests Davy Young, president of The CEO Center, John Gardner, head of public policy and research at The CEO Center, and Denise Dahlhoff, head of research at the Marketing & Communications Center at The Conference Board. They discuss why the court battles over tariff refunds aren't fully resolved, why new tariffs are likely to be issued, and why communications has become a central, collaborative function across the enterprise.

For more from The Conference Board:

• The Tariff Refund Process

• Intersections: Communications + Government Relations

• CCOs Have a Seat at the Table. Now What?

The Federal Reserve held its first meeting Wednesday since Kevin Warsh succeeded Jerome Powell as chair. What can we learn from Warsh's statements and the Fed's unanimous decision to leave rates unchanged?

Join Dana M. Peterson and guest Yelena Shulyatyeva, senior US economist at The Conference Board, to hear about the potential impact of Warsh's task forces, why we're likely to see less Fed communication, and whether the Fed will prioritize inflation over the labor market.

For more from The Conference Board:

• FOMC Decision: There's a Task Force for That

• June FOMC Preview: Meet the Warsh Fed: Rates on Hold, Communication in Focus

• What Could the Fed Look Like Under Kevin Warsh?

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, Sustainability Communications Expert and guest host, speaks with Susan Stenson, Founder of Sustainable Boards on the gap between boards that function and boards that truly perform.

They examine how boards can prepare for geopolitical disruption, emerging technology risks, and an increasingly complex operating environment; discuss the role of scenario planning and governance in effective oversight; and highlight the conversations boards need to have before a crisis emerges.

More from The Conference Board:

• Board Effectiveness 2026: A Survey of the C-Suite

• From Principles to Practice: Governing AI in the Corporation

• AI Policies and Regulation in the EU: What Companies Need to Know

• What Drives CEO Succession Today—And Are Boards Ready?

Companies are increasingly focused on employee performance, which is challenging but also gives CHROs and CFOs an opportunity to collaborate. How can these key functions work together to reinforce culture, drive organizational change, and influence the CEO and board?

Join host Diana Scott and guests Henry Artalejo, SVP of global human resources at Griffith Foods, Matt Corker, EVP and chief financial officer at Griffith Foods, and Maria Colacurcio, CEO of Syndio. Find out what defines a people-first organization in 2026, how the CHRO-CFO partnership can drive culture and compensation conversations, and why AI transformation is an opportunity for HR to rebrand itself.

This special episode was recorded on June 3 at the 2026 CHRO Summit, hosted by The Conference Board in Chicago.

For more from The Conference Board:

• CHRO Summit: Turning Uncertainty into Growth
• The Conference Board to Honor S&P Global and UL Solutions at 2026 People First
• People First: Elevating Talent for the Future (Event)

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director, International at The Conference Board Europe, is joined by Alejandro Fiorito, Economist at The Conference Board Europe, to unpack the latest results from the Measure of CEO Confidence for Europe survey.

Together, they examine the factors weighing on CEO confidence; explore signs of resilience at the industry level; and discuss how European business leaders view geopolitical risks, long-term competitiveness, and growth opportunities both within and beyond Europe.

More from The Conference Board:

• 2 Years Below Neutral: European CEO Confidence Falls as Outlook Deteriorates

• Measure of CEO Confidence for Europe Dashboard

• CEO Confidence Still Wavering, Investments Stalled, EU Reforms in the Spotlight

• The 2026 Agenda for Business Leaders: Reimagining the Future in Europe

Amid polarization and deadlock, how can people in the United States better understand the habits and responsibilities that sustain a free society?

The United States has practiced the same type of government since the late 1700s, enduring through vast societal and technological changes. What are the biggest political challenges facing America as it turns 250, and how can citizens lead the country forward?

Join David Young and guest Yuval Levin, director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute, to find out why today's era reminds Levin of the Gilded Age, why political leaders must embrace coalition-building, and why today's challenges are numerous but far from insurmountable.

For more from The Conference Board:

• 250 Years Forward: Strengthening an American Future

• A Stable Democracy at 250: Trusted Elections as the Foundation

• Trusted Elections Are the Foundation of Economic Growth and Business Confidence