Leading Through Change

Pioneering keynoter speakers highlight the board’s pivotal role in shaping the future of companies during transformative times at the conclusion of the NACD Directors Summit 2024.

The concluding day of NACD Directors Summit™ 2024 featured keynote speakers Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and chair of the Gates Foundation; Helene Gayle, MD, MPH, president of Spelman College and a board member of numerous companies; Rana Foroohar, global economic analyst for CNN; and Juan Enriquez, cofounder of Synthetic Genomics. 

Gates emphasized the critical role of boards in steering companies through transformative periods. Foroohar addressed the implications of shifting global supply chain dynamics on businesses. Enriquez shared insights on the rise of life sciences and artificial intelligence, offering a valuable perspective on the evolution of this tech-driven era and its future trajectory.

Almost 1,500 directors and executives, including Fortune 500 leaders, from thousands of boards attended the premier annual conference held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in the Washington, DC, area from Oct. 6–9, 2024. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in tailored learning tracks on critical governance issues and participate in several networking opportunities.