The Chicago Conversationon Board Leadership
About the Event
Securing a board position is rarely the result of a single conversation. It is built through preparation, sustained visibility, and trusted relationships developed over time.
This in-person gathering connects aspiring board leaders and business executives with corporate directors serving on boards across your region and industries. Through curated conversations, strategic introductions, and candid governance insight, participants expand their network, elevate their visibility, and take meaningful steps toward board service.
- Venue
- 151 Franklin
- Time
- 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM CT
Agenda
Chicago, IL
-
3:00 – 3:20
Introduction and Data Presentation
-
3:20 – 4:20
Keynote Panel with Corporate Directors
-
4:30 – 6:00
Table Discussions: Path to the board room
-
6:00 – 7:00
Networking cocktail reception
People
Donna Zarcone
Moderator
Independent Director, The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI)
Christine Schyvinck
Panelist
Shure Incorporated
William (BK) J. Kelley Jr.
Panelist
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Independent Director, Utz Brands LLC; Board Director, THOR Industries (NASDAQ:THO)
Xia Liu
Panelist
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Independent Director, WEC Energy Group; Board Member Badger Meter Inc (NYSE: BMI)
Shahrokh (Rock) Shah
Independent Director, Tutor Perini Corporation (NYSE: TPC)
Sujata Dayal
Independent Director, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS)
William (BK) J. Kelley Jr.
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Independent Director, Utz Brands LLC; Board Director, THOR Industries (NASDAQ:THO)
Frank Jaehnert
Independent Director, Nordson (NASDAQ: NDSN), Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI)
Julia Vander Ploeg
Independent Director, Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR)
Donna Zarcone
Independent Director, The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI)
Sharon Szafranski
Executive Vice President, Welding & Independent Director, Illinois Tool Works Inc.; Board Director, ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT)
Natalie Brown
Independent Director, Patrick Industries (NASDAQ: PATK)
Wendy Davidson
Independent Director, First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN)
Rebecca Martinez O'Mara
Independent Director, Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI), Enviri Inc. (NYSE: NVRI)
Amy Abraham
Independent Director
Energy Services of America Corporation (NASDAQ: ESOA)
Jill Smart
Independent Director, EPAM Systems (NYSE: EPAM)
Xia Liu
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Independent Director, WEC Energy Group; Board Member Badger Meter Inc (NYSE: BMI)
Patty Meagher Clare
Partner
Major Executive Search and PMClare & Associates
Callie Kim
Founder
Waban Impact LLC
Lisa Hartkopf
Partner
EY
Michelle Kuhr
Senior Managing Director - Chicago Market Leader
Riveron Consulting
Kelli Moles
Partner
McKinsey
Cari Wilkins
Founder and Principal
CL*Advisory
Jackie Ghantous
Corporate Controller
Oats Overnight
Suroor Raheemullah
CHRO
In Transition
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Official Airline Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
In-Kind Donor
