The Character of the Corporation 2026

Boards in an Era of Permanent Disruption

November 12, 2026  |  320 Park Events, New York City

LEAD WITH PURPOSE. GOVERN WITH CHARACTER.

“One of the most thoughtful and relevant conversations I’ve attended this year.”   
— Public company director and 2025 attendee

Disruption is no longer an event. It’s the environment.

From AI and geopolitical volatility to workforce transformation and rising shareholder expectations, today’s directors are navigating a landscape where uncertainty is constant — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The question is no longer how to respond to disruption, but how to lead through it with clarity, conviction and character.

The Character of the Corporation 2026 is built for directors who recognize that governance today demands more than oversight — it demands judgment, resilience and principled leadership.

Be in the room where modern governance takes shape:

•  Hear from leading directors and governance experts on how boards are redefining leadership in a world that won’t stand still 
•  Engage in candid, high-level conversations on purpose, accountability, resilience and the real pressures facing today’s boardrooms 
•  Walk away with practical strategies to strengthen your impact, elevate your board service and lead with confidence 

This is where experienced directors come to sharpen their thinking, challenge assumptions and define what effective governance looks like now.

The Character of the Corporation 2026
Powering directors to lead with purpose. Shaping the future of governance.

"I think that Character of the Corporation is the highest quality one-day event on governance."
— Public company board member

Our prestigious panel of directors is prepared to engage in a lively discussion on the matters and complexities of effective governance, courage, geopolitical conflict and crisis management, when everything seems to be a crisis.

Who Should Attend?

Paid attendance for this event is highly limited and open only to serving board members, corporate secretaries and general counsel of public companies. 

If you are not a serving public company board member, general counsel or corporate secretary, but you are a senior-level private company director or other governance professional and think you can add value to the conversation, please contact David Shaw directly. 

Serving public company board members, please continue to the registration page.

PARTNERS

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation policy: All conference cancellations must be requested in writing and sent to Alyssa Penecale, Directors & Boards, 1845 Walnut St., Ste 900, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or emailed to alyssa.penecale@familybusinessmagazine.com. Registrants who cancel more than four weeks prior to the program date are entitled to a full refund of the registration fee less an administrative fee of $150 per registrant; if canceled within four weeks, but more than 10 business days prior to the conference date, 50% of the conference registration fee will be refunded less an administrative fee of $150 per registrant; within 10 business days of the conference date and no shows, no refund is possible.

Directors & Boards may cancel the program if attendance does not meet required levels; in case of cancellation or rescheduling, full refunds of registration fees will be made. Travel fares and hotel deposits cannot be reimbursed.