Governance at the Speed of Change: The Modern Board
We are thrilled to present this month’s episode of Leadership Reimagined, featuring Richard K. Davis, former Executive Chair and CEO of U.S. Bancorp, former President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America, and current Board Director at Wells Fargo, Mastercard, and Dow Inc. With over four decades of leadership across financial services, corporate boards, and the nonprofit sector—including his role as Chair of Mayo Clinic—Richard brings an unparalleled perspective on what makes an effective board in today’s world. Reflecting on the evolving demands of corporate governance, Richard shares: “Governance has always been governance in the pure sense of the word, but now, more recently, social, political, and economic issues are at the forefront of the board’s agenda. More specifically now, we’re not only looking for what you’ve done in your life, but how you’ve done it and who you’ve done it with.” In this episode, he discusses the balance between oversight and overreach, the rising expectations for directors, and the need for agility in an age of disruption. Emphasizing the power of diverse perspectives in the boardroom, Richard adds: “We are only best when we are not aligned exactly, because it’s the nuances on the margin that will be the most interesting thing.”
Don’t miss this insightful conversation on modern boards, shareholder stewardship, and governance at the speed of change.
Richard K. Davis is the former Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Bancorp, parent company of U.S. Bank. He served as Executive Chairman from 2007 to 2018, Chief Executive Officer from 2006 to 2017, and held various other executive positions at U.S. Bancorp. Richard also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish America. He currently serves on the boards of Wells Fargo, MasterCard, and Dow Inc, where he is the lead director. He previously served on the boards of Xcel Energy and DTCC, in addition to serving for more than 30 years on a variety of non-profit boards, including his current service as Chair of the Mayo Clinic.
Please enjoy this episode on Leadership Reimagined with Richard K. Davis.