Impact Live - From oversight to foresight: Board governance in a polycrisis world

Board governance is growing more complex as organizations navigate geopolitical instability, regulatory change, technological disruption, shifting stakeholder expectations, and evolving workforce dynamics. For directors, that means governance is no longer only about monitoring performance and approving plans. It also requires asking whether the organization is prepared for multiple plausible futures at once.

This was the focus of Ivey Impact Live: From Oversight to Foresight – Board governance in a polycrisis world. Moderated by governance expert Sharon Castelino, EMBA ’12, the webinar featured Nadine de Gannes, HBA ’09, Assistant Professor in Managerial Accounting and Control and Sustainability at Ivey; Karen Fryday-Field, MBA ’98, Managing Partner and Senior Consultant at Meridian Edge Leadership & Governance Consulting; and David Robinson, MBA ’94, Board Director at Rogers Communications. Together, they explored how boards can strengthen judgment, preparedness, and resilience in an increasingly uncertain environment.

Drawing on practical examples and boardroom experience, the panel challenged leaders to spend less time looking backward and more time looking ahead. The discussion emphasized that foresight is not prediction, but disciplined preparedness; that continuous learning is becoming a core part of board service; and that directors need broader perspectives to oversee strategy, risk, and innovation effectively.

The conversation also underscored that effective governance now depends on more than technical expertise alone. From expanding the meaning of duty of care to building baseline AI literacy and fostering a culture of candour and trust, the session highlighted the capabilities boards need to lead responsibly through uncertainty.