WASHINGTON, April 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) today announced its Blue Ribbon Commission focused on overseeing the development of executive talent. Throughout the summer, more than 20 experienced corporate directors and leading governance professionals will convene, discuss and formulate strategies to support boards in the oversight of talent development programs. The commission's work and recommendations will ultimately result in the Report of the NACD Blue Ribbon Commission on Executive Talent Development to be issued later this year.
"Today, human capital is critical to an organization's success, but there is little guidance on the board's role," said Ken Daly, president and CEO of NACD. "It is essential that directors have a framework to ensure their company is successfully developing talented individuals to meet current and future challenges."
The NACD Blue Ribbon Commission is led by two co-chairs with extensive experience in developing human capital: Gregory Lau, former executive director of global compensation and corporate governance at General Motors and current director of NACD; and Mary Pat McCarthy, current director of Mutual of Omaha and Tesoro, and former vice chair of KPMG LLP.
In addition to the two co-chairs, the 2013 Commissioners are experienced public company directors and leading corporate governance experts. While subject to change, the NACD Blue Ribbon Commission on Executive Talent Development currently includes*:
- Joan Amble: director; Sirius XM Satellite Radio
- Orlando Ashford: president, talent; Mercer
- Donna M. Boles: senior vice president of human resources; Becton, Dickinson & Co.
- Peter Clapman: chairman; Governance for Owners USA
- Joan Conley: senior vice president and corporate secretary; Nasdaq OMX
- L. Kevin Cox: chief human resources officer; American Express
- Ken Daly: president and CEO; NACD
- Theodore L. Dysart: vice chairman; Heidrick & Struggles
- Charles M. Elson: director; HealthSouth
- Peter Gleason: managing director and CFO; NACD
- Holly Gregory: partner; Weil, Gotshal & Manges
- Barbara Hackman Franklin, director: Aetna
- Mary R. "Nina" Henderson: director; CNO Financial Group
- Michele J. Hooper: director; UnitedHealth Group
- Reatha Clark King: director; Allina Hospital
- Edward J. Ludwig: lead director; Aetna
- William E. McCracken: former CEO, CA Technologies
- John Olson: partner; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
- Jeffrey A. Sonnenfeld: senior associate dean for executive programs and Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management; Yale School of Management
- Lori Sweere: executive vice president, human capital; UnitedHealth Group
- David Swinford: president and CEO; Pearl Meyer & Partners
- E. Norman Veasey: partner; Weil, Gotshal & Manges
- Dennis Whalen: partner in charge and executive director; KPMG's Audit Committee Institute
- William J White: director; Polyera Corp.
- Maggie Wilderotter: chairman and CEO; Frontier Communications
*This list may not include all directorships for each Commissioner.
The commissioners met for the first time on April 22 in Washington, D.C. They will meet once more in June as they continue to collaborate on their recommendations.
The report is scheduled for release in October 2013.
About NACD
The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is the only membership organization focused exclusively on advancing exemplary board leadership. Based on more than 35 years of experience, NACD identifies, interprets and provides insights and information that corporate board members rely upon to make sound strategic decisions, confidently confront complex business challenges and enhance shareowner value. With more than 13,000 corporate director members, NACD provides world-class director education, director training and proprietary research about leading boardroom and corporate governance practices to promote director professionalism and bolster investor confidence. Furthermore, to create more effective and efficient corporate boards, NACD provides independent board evaluations and custom-tailored in-boardroom education and training programs, as well as director-led conferences, forums and peer-exchange learning opportunities to share ideas about current and emerging issues. Fostering collaboration among directors and governance stakeholders, NACD is shaping the future of board leadership. To learn more about NACD, visit www.NACDonline.org. To join, please contact Kelly Dodd at kkdodd@NACDonline.org or 202-380-1891.