
Director Outlook Improves Slightly In May Amid Continued HeadwindsÂ
Q2 polling data finds U.S. public company board members slightly more optimistic in their 12-month forecasts than in Q1, though most continue to expect a recession in the near term.
Corporate Board Member conducts survey-based research throughout the year to gather firsthand accounts from public company board members on shifting boardroom strategy discussions and processes. We also offer a timely look into boardroom sentiment with our Director Confidence Index, a monthly flash poll of board members on the economy and top-of-mind issues.
Every year, Corporate Board Member surveys U.S. public company board members to take their pulse on the issues that are most prominent in the boardroom for the year to come and the strategies companies are implementing to overcome the biggest challenges ahead.Â
Corporate Board Member and Farient Advisors examine how forward-thinking boards are moving beyond traditional succession planning to build predictive, data-driven talent strategies that transform potential disruption into competitive advantage.
Using survey findings and insights gained from ongoing conversations with leading directors, we provide a look at what directors view as the keys to resilience and suggest four conversations boards can have to help management to take action.
What makes a great board? To answer that question, RHR International and Corporate Board Member partnered to survey more than 400 directors at U.S. public companies in December 2023 and January 2024 and compared the answers from those at top-performing companies against the rest of the group.
In the fall of 2024, Corporate Board Member partnered with Diligent Institute and FTI Consulting to survey more than 200 directors of publicly traded companies in the U.S. on what’s on the board agenda for the year ahead.

Q2 polling data finds U.S. public company board members slightly more optimistic in their 12-month forecasts than in Q1, though most continue to expect a recession in the near term.

Succession planning is taking center stage in boardrooms in 2025, with more directors than ever identifying it as a top strategic priority amid rising executive turnover and mounting leadership pressures.

Public company general counsel share their view of the top risks for U.S. companies in 2025—and highlight potential opportunities for enhanced board collaboration.