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In this podcast, Deborah Hicks Midanek – Founder & Managing Partner of Solon Group & director for 23 companies over the years – discusses her new book “The Governance Revolution: What Every Board Member Needs to Know, NOW!” – including: – What led you to write “The Governance Revolution”? – What are the most important messages in the book? – When it comes to some of the hazards of the board process, what is “The State Dinner” all about? – What about “Bullying”? – What has been the biggest surprise for you in reaction to the book?

In this podcast, Zach Olson – a Partner at Fredrikson & Byron – discusses his side gig as a professional wrestler, including: – How’d you get into professional wrestling? – How do you think your skills as a lawyer help you in the ring? – How do you think your skills as a wrestler help you in negotiations/practicing? – What’s been the most surprising thing about wrestling since you started? – What’s the most common question people ask you? Photo Credit: Knocked Out Entertainment

In this podcast, Professor JW Verret discusses Veritas Financial Analytics – VeritasAnalyticsllc.com – the only expert witness firm operated by professors – and more: – What’s it like being a professor? – What type of dealings do you have with Congress? – Why should professors run an expert witness firm? – How does Veritas Financial Analytics differ from other expert witness firms?

Labrador’s Molly Doran discusses her exciting career, including: 1. How did you wind up getting into the regulated communication industry? 2. What do you tell people that you do when you first meet them? 3. What are the hot topics that you’re grabbling with now? 4. What are the hardest parts of your job? 5. How is it working with the French? 6. What are the best parts of your job? 7. What advice would you give to someone new in your field? 8. What types of changes do you see coming in the near term for proxy design?

UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust’s Cambria Allen discusses the “Human Capital Management Coalition” – which is led by the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust – and the Coalition’s recent petition for rulemaking to the SEC, including: 1. What is the Human Capital Management Coalition and what is “human capital management disclosure”? 2. Why did those interested in this topic decide to submit a petition for rulemaking to the SEC (as opposed to other routes)? 3. What are the main goals of the petition? 4. Any surprises so far since submitting the petition? 5. What can folks do who want to support the petition?

James Kim is a 20-year veteran of the compensation consulting industry, an industry that primarily deals with pay design for the top officers within companies. As Managing Director & Head of the SF office for Frederic W. Cook & Co., James serves as a beacon to others within his firm – and for his clients. James is a music lover – a violinist who also brings passion to his day job.

Steven Clifford is a former CEO of two public companies and he has served on a total of 13 boards of private and public companies over the years – including serving as the chair of a number of board compensation committees. Steven’s new book – “The CEO Pay Machine: How It Trashes America & How to Stop It” – is a game-changer. There’s nothing out there like it. In 280 pages, Steven clearly lays out the broken components of a typical executive pay package – along with the broken board processes that led to them. In detail, Steven explains how the emperor has no clothes. It’s riveting. And maddening. Luckily, in his last chapter, he explains how we can fix it. And yes, we can fix it.

Tom Conaghan does some of the more unique deals in our industry. Alcohol beverage deals! Tom also does far more as Co-Head of McDermott Will & Emery’s Capital Markets and Public Companies Group. Building upon a 2-decade career, Tom now is the top corporate law partner in McDermott’s DC office. A beautiful building a stone’s throw from the US Capitol – that once housed the HQ of the SEC!

Alex Lajoux is a veteran of the corporate governance industry, truly getting in on the ground floor nearly 50 years ago – in the 1970s. Starting with an editor position with Directors & Boards, Alex soon joined the staff of the National Association of Corporate Directors – the NACD – which eventually grew into the largest association devoted to governance issues. During her 25 year tenure at the NACD, Alex served in numerous roles – including the last decade as the Chief Knowledge Officer. Now, Alex is working part-time for the NACD as she embarks on a new path with her company – Capital Expert Services – that provides expert witnesses to complex business litigation.

In this podcast, Ken Bertsch – Executive Director of the Council of Institutional Investors – discusses Snap’s IPO & more, including: – How – and why – has CII opposed Snap’s dual class voting structure? – How has CII (& other investor groups) responded to calls for shareholder proposal reform? – How has it been moving back to Washington DC?