Every serious contender for CEO of the Year has a stellar track record across every aspect of leading a business or they wouldn’t be in the running. So when the time comes to choose from a roster of superstars, the Selection Committee generally needs to look further. Often, that means looking beyond industry entirely into what individuals have done to positively effect change on a broader scale.
“Every CEO who gets to the table has done a nice job financially and has been a leader in the business community, or they wouldn’t have been nominated,” says Mark Weinberger, CEO of EY and a longstanding member of the committee, who notes that several winners have stood out for devoting time and attention to build more than just their own companies. “We look for those who take on things they don’t need to improve the overall business environment or society as a whole.” Reflecting on previous recipients, Weinberger cites two who stand out for their performance on this criterion.
AT&T’s Randall Stephenson
Stephenson stepped up to the plate to lead the Business Roundtable at a time when he was also guiding AT&T through transformational change. “Chairing the Business Roundtable is a role that takes tremendous energy and time,” says Weinberger. “Randall advocated for business issues broadly for several years and also sits on the board of the Boy Scouts. When you look at things like that layered on top of his [achievements] as a business leader, to me that really distinguishes the world’s best.”
Monsanto’s Hugh Grant
“Hugh is known for his work to support diversity and building an inclusive environment where people can be comfortable bringing themselves to work,” says Weinberger. Grant supports inclusivity by tying executive compensation to diversity metrics and meeting regularly with the company’s 13 resource groups, and he serves as a prominent leader in the community. Both Monsanto and Grant individually have won numerous accolades relating to fostering diversity and a positive work environment, including awards from Glassdoor, Diversity Inc., Forbes and CR Magazine.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
