News

Mary Francia is stepping into the role of South Florida Chapter President, following the completion of Cordearo Dadson's term. Francia brings over 25 years of global leadership experience to the position, with specialized expertise in governance, strategy, sustainability, and human capital.

When Silvia Prickel attended her first PDA event in 2017 as a guest of colleague and Chicago Chapter member Cindy Burrell, she knew immediately she’d found a mission that resonated. “I could align with PDA’s values right away,” she recalls. Now, as Board Chair, she channels decades of leadership experience into guiding PDA with both strategic vision and collaborative spirit.

Formally launched in 2025, the committee is building on this success to modernize PDA's communications. "The blog was phase one. Now, we're designing phase two—with room for more voices," Lakey notes. Their roadmap aligns with PDA's strategic plan and focuses on four pillars:

Blockchain technology is rapidly gaining traction beyond cryptocurrencies, offering immutable audit trails and smart contracts. Companies must prepare by building knowledge, assessing opportunities, and understanding risks.

Private company governance is evolving, and with a variety of governance models in play, the need for practical, tailored standards has never been greater. From knowledge gaps caused by limited research to the lack of resources designed for specific ownership structures, PDA’s Research and Standards Committee (R&SC) is stepping in to address these challenges.

The Delaware corporate law landscape stands at a crossroads with Senate Bill 21, a version of which was recently released from the House Judiciary Committee. This landmark legislation proposes significant changes to safe harbor procedures and stockholder rights, sparking intense debate among corporate governance stakeholders.

In today’s dynamic global business environment, strategic risk management has never been more critical. Boards of directors are increasingly recognizing their pivotal role in navigating uncertainties, managing risk and seizing opportunities.

Private companies face a variety of risks that threaten their ability to achieve their goals. These include geopolitical, cybersecurity, natural disasters, customer concentration, regulatory, competitive, and supply chain risks, in addition those specific to the industry and company.

Despite a federal court lifting an injunction on reporting requirements for the Corporate Transparency Act last month, the Treasury Department announced Sunday that it will not enforce penalties or fines on U.S. citizens for violation of the law’s reporting requirements.

Succession planning has always been part of the board’s job, but lately it seems like it’s moving from a long-range discussion to something boards need to feel confident about today.

For professionals aspiring to serve on a private company Board, the path to securing a seat can be complex. Unlike traditional job opportunities, Board seats aren’t widely advertised—they’re often filled through personal networks, executive search firms, or internal company referrals. This makes visibility, preparation and connections essential for anyone looking to step into a governance role.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in many circles has all become a dirty word over the past few years. Companies have responded in varies ways – ranging from doubling down on DEI commitments, dismantling DEI, putting their head in the sand and completely avoiding the topic all together.