Board Priorities in 2026

March 20, 2026 | NACD Headquarters

“Focused but optimistic” sums up directors’ outlook for 2026. With uncertainty expected to persist in the coming year, boards are strengthening their oversight of the increasingly complex execution required to deliver their companies’ strategic ambitions.

The NACD 2026 Governance Outlook Survey, in the field in late October to early November 2025, captures directors’ perspectives on the upcoming trends affecting their organizations, their organizations’ key growth strategies for 2026, and their boards’ top priorities. The data point to a clear shift in board focus. In an environment where many disruptive, external forces are affecting all competitors similarly, the rigor and quality of strategy execution is becoming a primary differentiator. Boards are recognizing that, in this environment, poor execution of a well-formulated strategy can put their companies at a significant disadvantage.

Facilitated by NACD’s Stu Dalheim, associate director of governance content, this roundtable discussion about board priorities in 2026 was for NACD members only with a limit of 30 registrants.