Diverse, Global Corporate Directors to Speak at NACD's 2011 Board Leadership Conference

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) has announced initial speakers for the 2011 NACD Board Leadership Conference, America's largest knowledge exchange for directors committed to boardroom excellence.

More than 800 directors and executives from both U.S. and global companies including Northrop Grumman, Aetna, Winn-Dixie, Revlon Consumer Products Corporation, Elli Lilly and Company, Microsoft, REI, Constellation Energy and American Express will convene to address emerging issues, share new ideas, and provide best practices for exemplary board leadership on October 2-4 in Washington, DC.

"The line-up of topics and speakers at this year's NACD Board Leadership Conference will provide directors with an array of insightful sessions, break-out forums and networking opportunities to share experiences and opportunities for staying on the cutting edge of boardroom excellence," said Ken Daly, president and CEO of NACD. "We understand the enormous demands placed on directors today. Our conference offers access to so much information all packed into three days to optimize directors' time. More informed and well-educated directors can translate to better strategic direction for companies and improved shareholder value."

The NACD Board Leadership Conference has built a reputation for the breath and depth of learning opportunities available to attendees. Fortune 500 directors and board members from around the world and a wide range of U.S. public and private corporations will start their three-day experience with their choice to attend one of five Board Committee Forums:  Audit, Compensation, Finance, Nominating/Governance, and Risk. Each forum combines classroom sessions with candid, confidential peer discussions to provide a deeper and broader understanding of key issues specific committees face.

The conference also offers access to best thinking from world-class board leaders in a stellar line-up of plenary sessions. The opening panel on Global Governance will include Sir Peter Bonfield, an international technology change-maker will and chairman of NXP Semiconductors, former chairman and CEO of British Telecom, and a director on the boards of Sony Corporation, L.M. Ericsson, Mentor Graphics Corporation, Inc., and Taiwan-based semiconductor company TSMC. Monica Lozano, from the boards of the Walt Disney Corporation and Bank of America, will take part in a discussion about stewardship of the U.S. economy. Myrtle Potter from the board of Medco will be one of the new faces at conference, representing the next generation of boardroom leaders.

More than 100 other corporate directors, key committee chairs and board chairs, as well as former ambassadors, corporate officers, C-suite executives, shareholders, stakeholders, regulators, and legislators will speak at NACD's annual event, where more than 20 break-out options are offered.  

Other speakers include the following:

• Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, former U.S. Trade Representative; director American Express, Estee Lauder, Intel and Starwood Hotels
• The Honorable Vic Fazio, director, Northrop Grumman and Ice Energy, Inc.
• Gwen King, director, Lockheed Martin, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., Monsanto Company
• Chris Kubasik, president & COO, Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Ambassador Roz Ridgway, former director, Boeing, 3M, Bell Atlantic (now Verizon), Nabisco, Citicorp/Citibank, Manpower
• Michele Hooper, director, AstraZeneca, UnitedHealth Group, PPG Industries, Warner Music
• Kathi Seifert, director, Supervalu, Eli Lilly and Company, Revlon Consumer Products Corporation, Appleton Papers, Lexmark, Inc., the U.S. Fund for UNICEF
• The Honorable Leo E. Strine, Jr., vice chancellor, Delaware Court of Chancery
• Ralph Whitworth, director, Genzyme

The three-day conference includes a full-day board committee forum plus more than 40 unique sessions, keynote panels, networking events, and family activities such as a private tour of the U.S. Capitol.

Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. NACD is offering an early bird registration savings until July 31. NASDAQ OMX-listed companies also receive preferred pricing. Register for the 2011 NACD Board Leadership Conference online at www.NACDonline.org/conference or contact NACD's registration concierge by phone at 202-572-2088 or via email at [email protected].  

About NACD

The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is the only membership organization delivering the information and insights that corporate board members need to confidently confront complex business challenges and enhance shareowner value. With more than 11,000 members, NACD advances exemplary board leadership. NACD is focused on creating more effective and efficient boards through director-led education and peer forums to share ideas and leading practices based on more than 30 years of primary research. Fostering collaboration among directors and governance stakeholders, NACD is shaping the future of board leadership. To learn more about NACD, visit NACDonline.org. To join, please contact Kelly Dodd at [email protected] or 202-380-1891.

Contact:

Henry Stoever, Director of Marketing
National Association of Corporate Directors
202-775-0509

SOURCE National Association of Corporate Directors