Boards Must Look Beyond the Immediate Succession Slate | Farient Briefings
September 14, 2026
Boards Must Look Beyond the Immediate Succession Slate
Most boards know who might be next. Fewer know who might walk. At a private dinner this week for public company directors in Charlotte, N.C., Farient CEO Robin Ferracone and Managing Partner R.J. Bannister challenged directors to confront the risks leadership transitions can expose—from retention surprises to costly ripple effects. See what boards should ask before succession becomes urgent.
Pet Heart Health, Up Close
Farient animal lovers and advocates Robin Ferracone (center) and Randi Caplan (far left) recently visited an IDEXX research laboratory to learn more about a newly launched in-clinic cardiac test for dogs and cats.
The first-of-its-kind dual-species test brings heart health insight to veterinarians at the point of care—an innovation that dovetails with the Farient CEO’s lifelong interest in animal welfare.
Ferracone has extended that passion through board service with organizations including Trupanion, where she chaired the compensation committee, and WildAid, the international nonprofit champion working to protect wildlife, strengthen marine habitats, and curb climate change.
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In the News
For CEOs, RSU Growth Swings Higher as Proxy Advisors Pull Back on Criticism—Agenda
Proxy advisors are taking a more case-by-case view of long-term incentives, giving compensation committees more room to tailor pay design, Agenda reports. Yet flexibility raises the bar for explanation.
Farient Advisors Managing Partner R.J. Bannister says restricted stock units (RSUs), performance shares, and stock options are not interchangeable. The right mix depends on the goal.
“Companies that are trying to enter a high-growth phase may be more inclined to implement a higher level of stock options and PSUs into executives’ pay mix,” Bannister said.
Read moreWhere to Find Us
NACD Leading Minds of Governance and Tech
Boston, MA
September 22, 2026
Directors will take on today’s fastest-moving board issues when Farient Advisors Partner Angela Moe joins an expert panel to preview compensation’s role in talent management, and other imperative topics. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
Future-Ready Compensation: Linking Pay to the Talent Agenda
Gaylord National Harbor and Convention Center
October 13, 2026
Farient Managing Partner R.J. Bannister brings a future-ready lens to one of the board’s most urgent questions: how pay should support the talent agenda. Directors will gain practical ways to pressure-test incentive plans, align rewards with evolving talent needs, and bring sharper questions back to their compensation committees. From Bannister and fellow panelists KPMG’s Annalisa Barrett and public company director Katina Dorton, expect timely insights, peer perspectives, and takeaways boards can use before the next talent decision lands on the agenda.
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About Farient Advisors
Farient Advisors LLC, a GECN Group company, is an independent premier executive compensation, performance, and corporate governance consultancy. Farient provides a full array of services linking business and talent strategy to compensation through a tailored, analytically rigorous, and collaborative approach. Farient has locations in New York, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, London, and Louisville, 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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