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Farient Briefings October 2024 | A Pre-Election Interview with Farient’s Leader
October 28, 2024
A Pre-Election Interview with Farient’s Leader
On the eve of one of the most divisive elections in U.S. history, what lies ahead for corporate governance and executive compensation looms large for boards of directors at all companies. Pay is among the most personal and potentially contentious issues for business, with repercussions for society and the executive next door. Fresh from recognition as a 2024 Directorship 100 honoree, Farient Briefings scheduled time with Farient Founder and CEO Robin A. Ferracone to gauge how she’s thinking about the impact of the election and, beyond politics, the compensation issues she anticipates in 2025.

CEO Turnover Spurs Broader Board Oversight
The increased level of turnover among public company CEOs has prompted new conversations inside U.S. boardrooms. Nearly two-thirds of directors participating in a survey conducted by Corporate Board Member said the high pace of executive turnover in recent years has sparked new conversations within their ranks—and even more so among those serving on the boards of large public companies ($1 billion or more in market capitalization). For a plurality of directors at large companies, the issue is so critical to business continuity that it is being addressed by the full board, while a few others say they are keeping the conversations within the confines of the committee overseeing succession planning.
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Farient Advisors and Paul Hastings Present:
The Board’s Role in Advancing Talent and Culture Governance
You are cordially invited to join us tomorrow for an insightful evening featuring a distinguished panel of experts, interactive audience Q&A, and a cocktail reception.
As the demands on board oversight grow, so too does the need for a comprehensive understanding of how to foster and sustain corporate culture. Boards must take a proactive role in overseeing critical areas such as succession planning, talent management, compensation design, and sustainability objectives. Our esteemed panel will explore these topics and examine their implications for risk management, corporate governance, and compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.
Featured panelists
- Frances (Fran) F. Townsend, director of Chubb, Freeport-McMoRan, and Leonardo DRS, and former assistant to President George W. Bush for homeland security and counterterrorism and chair of the Homeland Security Council
- Elena R. Baca, partner and global chair, Employment Law Department, Paul Hastings
- Robin A. Ferracone, founder and CEO, Farient Advisors; compensation committee chair, TWFG Insurance
- Peter R. Gleason, president and CEO, National Association of Corporate Directors; director, Nura Health, Inc.
- Diane Gherson, director, Kraft Heinz, Centivo, and TechWolf; member of the board, National Academy of Human Resources; former chief people officer, IBM
Event details
Location: Paul Hastings LLP New York Office
200 Park Ave
26th floor, New York, NY
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Farient Festivities
On a recent Friday, a pumpkin-carving challenge revealed a certain creative flair among Farient’s New York officemates. The villainous anti-hero Fu Manchu inspired Analyst Austin Guo‘s first gourd engraving. Analyst Sevara Akhunova sculpted the consulting firm’s logo into an orange orb—who doesn’t appreciate brand-building? Farient Chair Robin A. Ferracone and Consultant Richard Barrow displayed dexterity: Robin carved a cat while walking along a fence, and Richard added whimsical whiskers to his feline pumpkin face. What’s become a fall tradition at the firm also provides an opportunity for all of us to wish each of you a safe and healthy All Hallow’s Eve.
In the News
From Intern to CEO: Does it Pay to be a Company Lifer?—Financial Times
The recent appointment of Elliott Hill as Nike’s CEO has sparked a discussion about the merits of promoting “lifers” within organizations. While company veterans like Hill offer deep institutional knowledge and loyalty, there are concerns about potential drawbacks. Quoted in the The Financial Times, R.J. Bannister, partner at Farient Advisors, cautions that lifers may develop tunnel vision and face stereotyping. To mitigate these risks, companies can implement strategies like fostering diverse leadership teams and encouraging external learning experiences. Ultimately, the debate about the value of company lifers versus external hires continues to evolve.
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Where to Find Us
Robin A. Ferracone and R.J. Bannister will be among the honorees when the National Association of Corporate Directors recognizes the 2024 Directorship 100 at its annual black-tie gala on December 16, 2024 at Gotham Hall, New York.
EXCLUSIVE | The Next Chapter in Stakeholder Incentives and ESG
How entrenched is the anti-ESG movement in the various regions of the world? That question is explored in the 2024 Global Trends in Stakeholder Incentives: What’s Next? produced by Farient Advisors in conjunction with the Global Governance and Executive Compensation (GECN) Group.
Also included in the 2024 report:
- Prevalence of stakeholder measures globally and by sector
- Types of stakeholder measures
- Types of social vs. environmental measures
- Company examples
- Exclusive insights from board directors and investors
Download the full report here:
Download PDF
About Farient Advisors
Farient Advisors LLC is an independent premier executive compensation, performance, and corporate governance consultancy. Farient provides a full array of services, linking business strategy to compensation through a tailored, analytically rigorous, and collaborative approach. Farient has locations in Los Angeles, New York, Louisville, and London and works with clients globally through its partnership in the Global Governance and Executive Compensation (GECN) Group. Farient is a certified diverse company and is recognized by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
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