News

The beginning of the year is a natural reset point for many private company Boards.

As we all know, AI can create tremendous value for a company. The key is to harness that power and ensure prudent oversight as board members fulfilling our Fiduciary Duty, and our Duty of Care.

Across industries, boards are quietly bracing for a reset year in 2026 — one defined by AI integration, workforce re-skilling, and a reimagining of how performance is defined and rewarded.

The Private Directors Association has elected Susan Kearney of the DC Metro Chapter as Chair of its National Board of Directors for 2026, marking a transition in the organization’s leadership. Kearney’s appointment highlights a year of change as PDA welcomes new officers and board members dedicated to advancing private company governance.

An Executive Order issued last week by President Trump aims to establish a unified national policy framework for artificial intelligence. The order signals a major shift in how AI will be regulated across the United States, with direct ramifications for private company boards, governance professionals, and the broader business community.

A trust gap exists between executives and employees when it comes to AI adoption. Leaders often express confidence in AI strategies, while employees may approach these technologies with caution or skepticism.

After six months of strong attendance and meaningful engagement at the Chapter level, the Private Directors Association is excited to announce that three highly successful Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are now extending their reach to members nationwide.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance has announced a significant shift in how it will handle shareholder proposal exclusion requests during the current proxy season, marking a notable change in corporate governance oversight that will directly impact boards of directors nationwide.

While larger enterprises may have made the transition naturally, smaller companies, particularly those that are closely held or family businesses, may struggle with the formalities and more rigid processes that come with formal governance.

Ten directors have been elected to the Private Directors Association’s National Board. The newly elected board members will take office January 1, 2026. Five directors were elected to three-year terms and five to one-year terms, during the election which ran from Oct. 16 to Oct. 30. The election marks the final step in establishing PDA’s 15-member staggered board.

If I were to write and star in the miniseries, “My Life in Networking,” I could devote an entire plot arc to the Private Directors Association. Soon after attending my first PDA event in 2017 at the suggestion of a close colleague, I became a member.

Two weeks have passed since PRISM 2025 wrapped in Anaheim, and the energy from the conference is still resonating across our community. Over 260 members gathered at the Disneyland® Resort Hotel for three days of immersive programming, collegial networking, and conversations shaping the future of private company governance.