Governance at an Inflection Point: Key Issues Shaping the 2026 Boardroom

Boards are entering 2026 facing unprecedented complexity—economic uncertainty, rising cybersecurity and data governance risks, accelerating AI adoption, intensifying sustainability expectations, and increased scrutiny over how executives navigate strategy and risk. Drawing on insights from the KPMG Board Leadership Center’s On the 2026 Board Agenda report, this session will explore the highest priority issues shaping boardroom discussions in the year ahead and what CFOs, CAOs, controllers, and senior finance leaders should be prepared to address.

John Rodi and Micah Surette will break down how boards are reassessing strategic engagement, overseeing AI and agentic AI deployment, strengthening data governance frameworks, responding to AI enabled cybersecurity threats, managing sustainability reporting expectations, and recalibrating risk oversight responsibilities across committees. The discussion will highlight practical insights for how finance leaders can better anticipate board expectations, enhance communication with directors, and support resilient governance in a rapidly shifting environment.

Join us for a forward looking, highly interactive conversation on how executives can help boards navigate disruption, strengthen oversight, and drive clarity in a time of accelerating complexity.

CPE Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key themes shaping 2026 board agendas—including strategic agility, AI adoption, cybersecurity, sustainability, and evolving risk oversight expectations. 
• Evaluate how boards are approaching AI strategy, talent implications, data governance, and cyber risk, and understand the related expectations for finance and executive leadership.
• Analyze how shifts in regulatory reporting, ESG expectations, and enterprise wide risk management influence the board’s oversight responsibilities and committee structure.
• Apply practices for strengthening board management communication, enhancing preparedness for disruptive risks, and supporting long term strategic resilience.
  
  Agenda:
• 11:00 – 11:30 PM – Arrival, Networking
• 11:30 – 12:30 PM – Lunch, Presentation
• 12:30 – 1:00  PM– Additional Networking
• 1: 00 PM  – Departure

Free parking
Lunch

Earn 1 CPE credit while exploring timely, relevant content designed for today’s finance professionals