WASHINGTON, March 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), the advocate for the profession of directorship, today announced that NACD’s 2017 NACD Blue Ribbon Commission will explore the role of the board in overseeing its organization’s corporate culture.
Pressure to meet performance targets in the absence of the right culture can leave companies—and directors—exposed to material financial, regulatory, and reputational risks. Conversely, numerous studies have shown that organizations with highly engaged employees (one indicator of a strong, positive culture) outperform others with regard to customer satisfaction, profitability, productivity, and shareholder returns.
Throughout the spring and summer, more than 30 experienced directors and leading governance professionals will develop specific guidance for boards on how to work with their management teams to foster a vibrant corporate culture.
“For years, NACD’s Blue Ribbon Commission reports have set the standards for effective boardroom practice,” said NACD CEO and President Peter Gleason. “The 2017 Blue Ribbon Commission will address a critical issue of interest to directors, investors, regulators, and the governance community as a whole—the issue of organizational and boardroom culture. We look forward to the insights and guidance that will emerge from the commission’s work this year.”
The NACD Blue Ribbon Commission will be led by cochairs Dr. Helene Gayle (director of the Coca-Cola Co. and the Colgate-Palmolive Co. and CEO of the McKinsey Social Initiative) and Nicholas Donofrio (director of AMD Inc., BNY Mellon, Delphi Automotive PLC, Liberty Mutual Group, the MITRE Corp., and NACD).
“Study after study have shown that culture is a key component of an organization’s success or failure. The commission’s goal is to look at the board’s role in fostering a strong culture that permeates each level of the company, including inside the boardroom,” said Dr. Helene Gayle, commission cochair.
“The mission of the board of directors is to serve as a strategic asset to the company and drive long-term value creation,” said commission cochair Nicholas Donofrio. “Culture is a critical part of this equation.”
The 2017 commissioners constitute a roster of distinguished corporate leaders and governance experts. While subject to change, the NACD 2017 Blue Ribbon Commission currently includes the following members:
Cochairs:
Commissioners:
The titles and affiliations of commissioners in this list are selective and do not include all directorships. Commissioners participate as a service to the governance community and not as representatives of any organization.
The commission’s report is scheduled for release in October at the NACD Global Board Leaders’ Summit.
About NACD
The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) empowers more than 17,000 directors to lead with confidence in the boardroom. As the recognized authority on leading boardroom practices, NACD helps boards strengthen investor trust and public confidence by ensuring that today’s directors are well prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. World-class boards join NACD to elevate performance, gain foresight, and instill confidence. Fostering collaboration among directors, investors, and corporate governance stakeholders, NACD has been setting the standard for responsible board leadership for 40 years. To learn more about NACD, visit www.NACDonline.org. To become an NACD member, please contact us at Join@NACDonline.org or 202-572-2089. If you are already a member, contact your NACD Membership Advisor at MembershipAdvisor@NACDonline.org to ensure that you are receiving the best value from your membership.