Future Fluency

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**Future Fluency**

Future Fluency is a podcast series that challenges conventional thinking about the links between innovation, culture, the changing face of America, and what it means for business. We convene a wide range of perspectives—from neuroscientists and sociologists to those of authors and business leaders—to help make sense of how we think about diversity in this era of disruption. Hosted by Ashley Marchand Orme, Future Fluency is produced by the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Latest Episodes:

Fourth of July Break Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

We are taking a bit of a break this holiday week, but will be back next week with a new episode.

Fair and Sustainable Start With “E”: A Conversation With Leo Strine Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

FEATURED GUESTS

Leo E. Strine Jr.

Leo E. Strine, Jr., is of Counsel in the Corporate Department at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Before joining the firm, he was the Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court from early 2014 through late 2019. Before becoming the Chief Justice, he had served on the Delaware Court of Chancery as Chancellor since June 22, 2011, and as a Vice Chancellor since November 9, 1998.

In his judicial positions, Mr. Strine wrote hundreds of opinions in the areas of corporate law, contract law, trusts and estates, criminal law, administrative law, and constitutional law. Notably, he authored the lead decision in the Delaware Supreme Court case holding that Delaware’s death penalty statute was unconstitutional because it did not require the key findings necessary to impose a death sentence to be made by a unanimous jury.

Mr. Strine holds long-standing teaching positions at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches diverse classes in corporate law addressing, among other topics, mergers and acquisitions, the role of independent directors, valuation, and corporate law theories. He is a member of the American Law Institute, and currently serves as an advisor on the project to create a restatement of corporate law.

Mr. Strine also serves as a Senior Fellow of the Harvard Program on Corporate Governance and as an advisor to Penn’s Institute for Law & Economics. From 2006 to 2019, Mr. Strine served as the special judicial consultant to the ABA’s Committee on Corporate Laws. He also was the special judicial consultant to the ABA’s Committee on Mergers & Acquisitions from 2014 to 2019.

Mr. Strine speaks and writes frequently on the subjects of corporate and public law, and particularly the impact of business on society, and his articles have been published in The University of Chicago Law Review, Columbia Law Review, Cornell Law Review, Duke Law Journal, Harvard Law Review, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and Stanford Law Review, among others. On several occasions, his articles were selected as among the Best Corporate and Securities Articles of the year, based on the choices of law professors.

RELATED RESOURCES

Strine Jr, Leo E. "Toward Fair and Sustainable Capitalism: A Comprehensive Proposal to Help American Workers, Restore Fair Gainsharing Between Employees and Shareholders, and Increase American Competitiveness by Reorienting Our Corporate Governance System Toward Sustainable Long-Term Growth and Encouraging Investments in America’s Future." (October 3, 2019).

Strine, Leo. "Toward Fair and Sustainable Capitalism," Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance. (October 1, 2019).

“About the Division of Corporations.” Delaware Division of Corporations (accessed June 17, 2020), https://corp.delaware.gov/aboutagency/.

Warner, Judy. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood” (An interview with Delaware Supreme Court Justice Leo E. Strine Jr.) NACD Directorship magazine (May/June 2015).

Special Episode: Work to be Done Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

FEATURED GUESTS

Catrice M. Jackson

Catrice is CEO of Catrice-ology Enterprises, an international anti-racism speaker, and a best-selling author. She’s a self-described “straight up, on the rocks with no chaser” voice for racial justice who is unapologetic and unflinching with her anti-racism message. She founded SHETalks-WETalk™ race talks for women and WETalks for women of color. Jackson serves up the hard truths necessary to eliminate the lethal infection of racism from humanity. She is a licensed mental health practitioner, a licensed professional counselor, and she is pursuing a doctoral degree in organizational psychology at Walden University. Jackson is also a certified domestic abuse and sexual assault advocate, trainer, and speaker.

Howard Ross

Howard Ross is a lifelong social justice advocate and is considered one of the world’s seminal thought leaders on identifying and addressing unconscious bias. He is the author of Reinventing Diversity: Transforming Organizational Community to Strengthen People, Purpose and Performance, and the Washington Post bestseller, Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives. His latest book, Our Search for Belonging: How Our Need to Connect is Tearing Us Apart, published in May 2018. Ross has specialized in the synthesis of neuro-cognitive and social science research and direct application related to diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility work. In 47 of the United States and over 40 countries, Ross has successfully implemented large-scale organizational culture change efforts in diversity and cultural integration for academia, governmental institutions, professional services corporations, Fortune 500 companies, and other organizations.

RELATED RESOURCES

• Ross, Howard J. Reinventing Diversity: Transforming Organizational Community to Strengthen People, Purpose, and Performance. Rowman & Littlefield, 2011.

• NACD Resource Center: Board Diversity

• NACD. “The Thin Red Line“ Future Fluency. (May 30, 2019).

• Lopez, German. “There are huge racial disparities in how US police use force." Vox, Sept. 11, 2018.

• Edwards, Frank, Hedwig Lee, and Michael Esposito. “Risk of being killed by police use of force in the United States by age, race–ethnicity, and sex.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 116, no. 34 (2019): 16793-16798.

• History.com. “Tulsa Race Massacre.” (updated: Oct. 21, 2019; original: Mar. 8, 2018).

• NAACP. “History of Lynchings.”

• Torres, Sam. “Hate crimes against African Americans: The extent of the problem.” Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice 15, no. 1 (1999): 48-63.

• Erin Duffin. “Hate crime in the U.S..” Statista (Feb. 7, 2020).

• Lillianna Byington, Brittany Brown, Andrew Capps, News21 Staff. “Black Americans Still Are Victims Of Hate Crimes More Than Any Other Group.” The Center for Public Integrity (Aug. 21, 2018).

• John R. Allen. “White-Supremacist Violence Is Terrorism.” The Atlantic, February 24, 2020.

• Southern Poverty Law Center. “Civil Rights Memorial.”

Truth be Told: A Conversation with Dr. Jennifer Kavanagh May 28, 2020

Show notes

FEATURED GUESTS

Dr. Jennifer Kavanagh

Jennifer is a senior political scientist. She leads RAND’s Countering Truth Decay initiative, a portfolio of projects exploring the diminishing reliance on facts and analysis in U.S. political and civil discourse. Jennifer is also the Director of the Strategy, Doctrine, and Resources program in RAND’s Arroyo Center, which supports the U.S. Army. Jennifer’s research interests include the changing media landscape, the effects of the new information environment on national security, and military strategy. Jennifer is a faculty member at the Pardee RAND Graduate School and teaches research methods courses as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. While completing her Ph.D., she was a Department of Homeland Security fellow and completed a research internship at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Kavanagh graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in government and a minor in Russian language. She earned her Ph.D. in political science and public policy at the University of Michigan.

RELATED RESOURCES

Kavanagh, Jennifer. Michael D. Rich. Truth Decay. RAND Corporation.

Countering Truth Decay. RAND Corporation.

NACD Resource Center: Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis

Trust in a Changing World: A Conversation with Richard Edelman May 21, 2020

Show notes

FEATURED GUESTS

Richard Edelman

Richard Edelman is the CEO of Edelman, a global communications firm. The firm was named to Advertising Age's 2019 A-List and was honored as "PR Agency of the Decade" by both Advertising Age and The Holmes Report.

Richard has extensive experience in marketing and reputation management, having led assignments with major corporations, NGOs, and family businesses in over 25 industries worldwide. He has counseled countries in every region of the world on economic development programs. As the creator of the annual Edelman Trust Barometer, Richard has become one of the foremost authorities on trust in business, government, media, and NGOs.

In 2020, Richard was inducted into the American Advertising Federation's Advertising Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was named the PR Agency Professional of the Past 20 Years by PRWeek and was inducted into the publication's Hall of Fame; in 2014, he was inducted in the Arthur W. Page Society's Hall of Fame. Richard is regarded as an industry thought leader and has posted weekly to his blog since 2004.

He serves on the Board of Directors of the Ad Council, the Atlantic Council, the Children's Aid Society, the Gettysburg Foundation, the 9/11 Museum, and the National Committee on US-China Relations. He is a member of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, World Economic Forum, and PR Seminar.

Richard earned his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1978 and a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 1976.

RELATED RESOURCES

Barry, John M.. The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History. Penguin Random House.

The 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer Spring Update: Trust and the Covid-19 Pandemic. May 5, 2020, Edelman.

Edelman, Richard. “The Great Influenza.” May 13, 2020, Edelman.

NACD Resource Center: Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis

The world remade by COVID: Planning scenarios for resilient leaders. Deloitte.

Planning at Home and Abroad: A Conversation with Admiral James Stavridis (Part II) May 14, 2020

Show notes

FEATURED GUESTS

Admiral James Stavridis

Admiral James Stavridis is an Operating Executive of The Carlyle Group, following five years as the 12th Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. A retired 4-star officer in the U.S. Navy, he led the NATO Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as Supreme Allied Commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, counter-piracy, and cybersecurity. He also served as Commander of U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006-2009. He earned more than 50 medals, including 28 from foreign nations in his 37-year military career.

Earlier in his military career, he commanded the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet, winning the Battenberg Cup and a squadron of destroyers and a carrier strike group in combat. In 2016, he was vetted for Vice President by Hillary Clinton and subsequently invited to Trump Tower to discuss a cabinet position in the Trump Administration.

Admiral Stavridis earned a Ph.D. in international relations and has published nine books and hundreds of articles in leading journals worldwide. His 2012 TED talk on global security has close to one million views. Admiral Stavridis is a monthly columnist for TIME Magazine and Chief International Security Analyst for NBC News, and has tens of thousands of connections on the social networks.

RELATED RESOURCES

Larson, Erik. The Splendid and the Vile. Penguin Random House.

Stavridis, James. “The US Military Has Untapped Potential in Fighting This Virus.” April 11, 2020, Bloomberg.

Stavridis, James. “The Military Can Help Win the Fight Against Pandemics.” April 22, 2020, Bloomberg.

Stavridis, James. “As the West Fights Coronavirus, Its Enemies Wage Cyberwar.” April 24, 2020, Bloomberg.

Stavridis, James. Sailing True North. Penguin Random House.

Stavridis, James. “ Navy Hospital Ships Will Be Used in the Fight Against COVID-19. But There's Much More the Military Can Do in This Crisis.” March 23, 2020, Time.

Stavridis, James. “My Family Worried for Me While I Served Overseas. Now I Worry for Them While They Serve on the Home Front.” April 21, 2020, Time.

NACD Resource Center: Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis

Leading from the Heart: A Conversation with Admiral James Stavridis (Part I) May 07, 2020

Show notes

FEATURED GUESTS

Admiral James Stavridis

RELATED RESOURCES

Larson, Erik. The Splendid and the Vile. Penguin Random House.

Stavridis, James. “A Naval Captain’s Brave Fight Against Coronavirus.” April 1, 2020, Bloomberg.

Stavridis, James. “The US Military Has Untapped Potential in Fighting This Virus.” April 11, 2020, Bloomberg.

Stavridis, James. “The Military Can Help Win the Fight Against Pandemics.” April 22, 2020, Bloomberg.

Stavridis, James. “As the West Fights Coronavirus, Its Enemies Wage Cyberwar.” April 24, 2020, Bloomberg.

Stavridis, James. Sailing True North. Penguin Random House.

Stavridis, James. “ Navy Hospital Ships Will Be Used in the Fight Against COVID-19. But There's Much More the Military Can Do in This Crisis.” March 23, 2020, Time.

NACD Resource Center: Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis

Culture, Care, and Creativity: A Conversation with Dawn Zier Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

FEATURED GUESTS

Dawn Zier

Dawn Zier is an independent board director and accomplished CEO best known for engineering a remarkable turnaround of the iconic brand, Nutrisystem (Nasdaq: NTRI). Throughout her career, she has successfully architected and led enterprise-wide transformations and turnarounds propelled by innovative product and marketing breakthroughs.

Dawn currently serves on the Board of Directors of Hain Celestial Group (Nasdaq: HAIN) and Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE), where she chairs the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. She also brings significant Compensation and Audit Committee expertise and has helped navigate several activist situations. Her leadership and board experience afford her deep understanding and appreciation for best practices and strong governance, future-focused planning, and engaged leadership. As a sought after thought leader, she frequently speaks and keynotes on such topics.

People and Culture in Times of Change: A Conversation with Johnny C. Taylor Jr. Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

FEATURED GUESTS

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, is President and Chief Executive Officer of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management. SHRM drives social and economic change in the workplace and fosters mutually beneficial work environments that serve both business and employees. Mr. Taylor is frequently asked to testify before Congress on critical workforce issues and authors a weekly column, "Ask HR," in USA Today. Mr. Taylor's career spans over 20 years as a lawyer, human resources executive, and CEO in both the not-for-profit and for-profit space. He has held senior and chief executive roles at IAC/Interactive Corp, Viacom's Paramount Pictures and Blockbuster Entertainment Group, McGuireWoods LLC and Compass Group USA. Most recently, Mr. Taylor was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. He is a member of the US Department of Commerce's American Workforce Policy Advisory Board and Chair of the President's Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He serves on the boards of the University of Miami, Jobs for America's Graduates, and the American Red Cross and as an adviser to Safe Streets & Second Chances.

From Shutters to Face Shields: A Conversation with Rick Skidmore Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

FEATURED GUESTS

Martin Whittaker

Martin Whittaker is the founding CEO of JUST Capital. He is also co-founder and Board member of the CREO Syndicate, a family office investment network, a Board member of the Carbon Disclosure Project U.S., a member of the Forbes Finance Council, and Forbes Contributor, and an advisor to Mission Driven Capital Partners, a private equity firm. Previously, Martin was a founding partner and investment committee member at Sonen Capital, an impact investing firm, where he led private equity, real asset, and direct investing activities. Martin has also served as Director of MissionPoint Capital Partners, Senior Vice President at Swiss Re, and Managing Director at Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, Inc. Martin has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto, provided expert testimony on environmental markets to the US Senate, guest lectured at multiple business schools, and consulted for major corporations on sustainability and impact-related matters. He has been an invited speaker, published writer and contributor via television, print, social media and conferences throughout his career.

Rick Skidmore

Rick founded his current company, Timberlane, in 1995, based on a passion for fine craftsmanship and a gaping need in the industry. Timberlane manufactures exterior window shutters and is located in Montgomeryville, PA.

Timberlane "dresses" the homes of leaders (the White House), iconic buildings (Disney World), universities, and private homes through the US and abroad. Then Hollywood called, and Timberlane began working with set designers and has been featured in countless motion pictures and Broadway shows. Timberlane became the first shutter company to develop a formal partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and has worked on major renovations of countless national landmarks.

Timberlane has been featured in numerous on-air programs, including PBS, ABC's Extreme Home Makeover, Home Edition, Designing Spaces, Curb Appeal, P. Allen Smith, Katie Brown Workshop and This Old House.

Rick has led sessions at Drexel University and the Wharton School of Entrepreneurial Studies, focusing on the required balance between academics and real-world practical learnings. Rick is a member of the Young President's Organization (YPO), has been recognized for three consecutive years by Inc. Magazines top 500 list, the Philadelphia 100, and Wood 100 for being one of the fastest-growing companies in the US. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Temple University. Rick also provides mentorship to entrepreneurs and early and mid-stage start-ups.

Before starting Timberlane, Rick was successful in the insurance and investment industry, building teams, brands, and portfolios.

RELATED RESOURCES

• Protecting Front Line Healthcare Workers With American Made Products.

• JUST Capital. “ Announcing the 2020 Rankings of America’s Most JUST Companies.” (December 2019).

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