Corporate Directors Forum Keynotes Address The Critical Issues Of Cybercrime And Shareholder Activism Facing Boards Today

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an environment of ever-expanding investor activism, cyber-attacks, political and regulatory intervention, and geo-political unrest, boards and management must adapt and react – quickly and astutely.  "Directors Forum 2015: Directors, Management & Shareholders in Dialogue," January 25-27, 2015, provides a forum for three constituencies who seldom share the stage – directors, shareholders and management – to express their divergent and sometimes contentious perspectives.

Kick-off keynote speaker Tom Ridge, chairman of Ridge Insurance Solutions Company, partner of Ridge-Schmidt Cyber, and first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, will focus on the scourge of our time—cybersecurity and cybercrime—and the critical role the board and management team must play in its oversight.

"There are businesses that understand that breaches will occur, and they're working to manage the risk.  And then there are companies that still bury their heads in the sand," said Ridge, the twice-elected governor of Pennsylvania. "We must build cyber-resilient organizations.  Businesses must proactively manage cyber risk and prepare to quickly fix the inevitable attack or breach.  Doing so will keep disruption to a minimum and help them bounce back to protect their brands, shareholders, employees and – most importantly – their customers." 

The conference, held at the University of San Diego, uniquely brings shareholders together with directors and management.  Attendance at the event is limited by design to encourage personal interaction between attendees and the nation's leading corporate governance authorities.

Additional Keynote speakers include: 

• Martin Lipton, founding partner, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
• Patricia Russo, lead director, HP; director, GM, Merck, Alco Inc., KKR Management
• Jeffrey C. Smith, managing member, CEO and chief investment officer, Starboard Value LP

"The Directors Forum conference is the venue for directors, shareholders, and the C-suite—constituents who do not generally see eye to eye—to listen to, and be heard by, top corporate governance thought leaders in the U.S.," said Larry Stambaugh, program co-chair.  "Don't miss the opportunity to take part in this unique, off-the-record setting, and help shape the dialogue and direction in 2015."

Directors Forum 2015 is open to the public, and general ticket prices are $1,895 per person if paid before Jan. 2, 2015, and $2,195 after that date. There is also a "Register 3, Get 1 Free" promotion.  Corporate Directors Forum and Forum for Corporate Directors [of Orange County] members receive a $300 discount off the registration fee.  For questions, please call (858) 455-7930, or register online at DirectorsForum.com/Conference. 

Corporate Directors Forum is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization found in 1991.  Its purpose is to help directors and those who support them build more effective boards through continuous learning and peer networking.  Corporate Directors Forum believes better directors make boards more effective, and more effective boards make better corporations.

Contact: Greg Kershaw
Nuffer, Smith, Tucker
619/296-0605, ext. 226
[email protected]

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SOURCE Corporate Directors Forum