C-Suite Perspectives

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Tashmeem Muntazir Chowdhury, senior vice president and head of ESG and sustainable finance at BRAC Bank, about the changing landscape of sustainable finance and the growing expectations of ESG investors.

They discuss why sustainability is becoming a business imperative rather than a compliance exercise; how companies can strengthen investor confidence through better data, governance, and reporting; and why sustainable finance continues to gain momentum despite evolving regulations and market scrutiny. The conversation also examines sustainable finance opportunities in Bangladesh and the role of public-private partnerships in supporting climate resilience and inclusive growth.

More from The Conference Board:

· EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026

· The Sustainability Reset

· Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption

· Europe 2026: Competitiveness, Clean Industrial Policy, and Institutional Reform

The US is still the premier investment opportunity. Marc S. Cooper of Solomon Partners explains why.

This special episode was recorded on May 6 at the 2026 M&A Summit, hosted by The Conference Board in New York.

After last year's strong M&A market, 2026 is being powered by corporate strategic acquisitions. What's the overall health of M&A and of the US as an investment opportunity?

Join Steve Odland and guest Marc S. Cooper, chairman and CEO of Solomon Partners, to find out the state of the deals market, the challenges facing middle market private equity, and why the US remains the world's top destination.

For more from The Conference Board:

• 2026 M&A Summit - New York

• Reshaping Strategy: Navigating M&A in the Next Era

• Deregulation Reshapes Financial Oversight

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director International at The Conference Board, speaks with Max Zenglein, Center Leader for Economy, Strategy & Finance in Asia at The Conference Board, about how economic security and geopolitical rivalry are reshaping global trade and business strategy across Asia.

They discuss the erosion of the rules-based trading system; the growing intersection of trade, national security, and industrial policy; and why companies must rethink efficiency, resilience, and risk in a more fragmented global economy. The conversation also explores supply chain vulnerabilities, shifting trade alliances, and how business leaders can navigate uncertainty while identifying new opportunities for growth.

More from The Conference Board:

• Economic Security Reshapes Trade in Asia Amid Rising Volatility
• C-Suite Outlook 2026: Asia-Pacific Edition
• Asia's Manufacturing Pivot: Competing for Talent in the New Supply Chain Era
• Beyond Tariffs: Structural Changes to Trade Are Underway in Asia

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® dipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, down from an upwardly revised 93.8 in April, continuing a downward trend for consumer confidence since late 2024.

The Present Situation Index—based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions—retreated by 3.2 points to 121.2. The Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose by 1.0 points to 74.4.

The survey period for this month's preliminary results was May 1–19, encompassing the ongoing war in the Middle East that is placing upward pressure on prices globally. Join Dana M Peterson and Alex Heil to find out what to make of the latest consumer confidence results and what's next for US energy markets.

For more from The Conference Board:

• US Consumer Confidence

• Forecast for the US Economy

• Global Economic Outlook

Generative AI and other technologies are transforming clinical research and trials. Find out how it's done.

The clinical trials sector is risk-averse, heavily regulated, and not often thought of as a technology first-mover. How is Merck changing that perception by using AI to improve insights, innovation, and operations?

Join Steve Odland and guest Jennifer Sheller, senior vice president and head of global clinical trial operations at Merck, to find out how the company is using AI for clinical research and clinical trials, why "human in the loop" remains essential, and how Merck thinks about the ethical, safety, and privacy considerations of digital health.

For more from The Conference Board:

• How AI Can Help Remedy the US Health Care Workforce Crisis

• Health Care Workforce Policy Summit: Insight Summary

• Navigating the Health Care Landscape in 2026

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Fabienne Crisovan, group head of governance, ESG legal, and corporate law at Zurich Insurance Group, about how companies can measure the return on investment of sustainability initiatives through the lens of risk, resilience, and long-term value creation.

They discuss why sustainability should be embedded into core business strategy rather than treated as a compliance exercise; how insurers assess climate and ESG risks; and the growing role of governance in building trust with investors, regulators, employees, and customers. The conversation also explores greenwashing, sustainability-related litigation, and why sustainability and profitability are increasingly interconnected.

More from The Conference Board:

· EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026

· AI and the New Cyber Risk Landscape: Disclosure Gaps in the S&P Europe 350

· The Sustainability Reset

· Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption

IBM's chief legal officer explains how governance drives AI success through trust, transparency, and employee adoption.

Enterprises are learning that employees won't use AI if they don't trust it. How can the right governance policies help companies improve AI adoption while also increasing innovation?

Join Steve Odland and guest Anne Robinson, senior vice president and chief legal officer at IBM, to find out how AI trust ties directly to AI adoption, why companies need to be clear about the problems they're trying to solve, and how the public sector is grappling with AI.

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Marion Devine, principal researcher at The Conference Board's European Human Capital Center, speaks with James Williams, head of global total rewards at Ericsson, about the realities of preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive and what it means for organizations across Europe.

They discuss the opportunities and challenges of greater pay transparency, how organizations are balancing compliance with culture change, and why manager readiness will be critical to success. The conversation also explores fairness, employee trust, pay equity, and the practical complexities of implementing transparency across multiple countries and evolving local regulations.

More from The Conference Board:

· The Reimagined Workplace 2026

· Reimagine 2025: Human Capital Leadership in an Era of Disruption

· Where to Hire: Europe 2026

· Europe's Pay Transparency Law: Companies Scramble to the Finish Line

AI is a powerful accelerant for performance systems, but only when employees trust the system. Here's how Microsoft does it.

Artificial intelligence is helping enterprises improve their performance systems and incentives. How can companies capitalize on this opportunity while also instilling trust, governance, and clarity that motivates employees and improves their decision-making?

Join Diana Scott, Human Capital Center Leader at The Conference Board, and guest Nandini Ramaswamy, corporate vice president of seller incentives at Microsoft, to find out how Microsoft uses AI to improve performance-based decision-making, why trust is the crucial differentiator, and how to measure whether your AI strategy is working.

For more from The Conference Board:

• Important Human Skills in the Age of AI

• How Leaders Can Close the AI Readiness Gap

• The Reimagined Workplace 2026

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Martin Wiese, leader of the European Governance & Sustainability Center at The Conference Board, speaks with Dr. Márcia Balisciano, chief sustainability officer and global head of corporate responsibility at RELX, about how companies can move from sustainability ambition to measurable impact.

They discuss the shift from reporting to execution, how sustainability drives financial performance, and what it takes to embed sustainability into commercial strategy and innovation.

More from The Conference Board:

· What's Next for ESG Legislation in Europe?

· Europe 2026: Competitiveness, Clean Industrial Policy, and Industrial Reform

· EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026

· Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption