Partner event
Firstboard.io New York Summit
Thursday, March 26, 2026
8:30AM-2:00PM
Future-Proofing Corporate Boards with Technology, Talent, and Transformation
Effective board composition is a portfolio strategy.
The future of corporate boards is being shaped by technology, talent, and transformation.
In an era of technological disruption, regulatory complexity, and global volatility, board composition has become a critical lever for portfolio value creation.
The question has shifted—from 'Who has board experience?' to 'Who brings the strategic perspective our companies need right now'.
This gathering brings together VC, Corporate and PE investors, alongside select portfolio leaders and senior technology executives, to examine how modern board composition drives stronger returns, sharper risk oversight, and long-term value creation.
Who Should Attend:
Investors: Venture Capitalists, Corporate Venture and Private Equity partners seeking to maximize portfolio company performance through strategic board composition.
CEOs and Founders: Company leaders who want to build boards that accelerate growth, provide strategic guidance, and become a true competitive advantage and strategic asset.
Technology Executives: Executives at the forefront of technology innovation.
Request an invite: https://luma.com/fzkf8299
Speakers
Julie Iskow
CEO & Board Director, Workiva( NYSE: WK); Board Director Five9 ( Nasdaq:FIVN) and Enable; Firstboard.io Advisory Board
Darcy MacClaren
Board Member 1LogTech, Operating Advisor, Cambridge Capital, Former CRO Supply Chain SAP, Firstboard.io New York Chapter Lead
Laura Clayton McDonnell
President, Thomson Reuters, Member Board of Trustees Thomson Reuters Foundation, Firstboard.io Founding Member
Kaley Childs Karaffa
Head of Board Advisory, Americas at Nasdaq, Board Director Horizon Education, Advisory Board Member Firstboard.io
Caroline Pan
Tech Leader & Growth Catalyst, Board Director, Public Company CMO, Firstboard.io Member and New York Chapter Lead
Diane deCordova
Founder, COO, Board Member Adelaide, Firstboard.io Founding Member and New York Chapter Lead
Tendü Yogurtçu, PhD
CTO Precisely, Executive Board Advisor, Firstboard.io AI Council & NY Chapter Member, TUSIAD NY AI Chapter Lead
Ali Heron
Managing Director, GrowthCurve Capital, Member Board of Directors Epilepsy Foundation, Firstboard.io Member New York Chapter
Diane Tryneski
Board Director, Former HBO, Disney & Discovery Executive, Firstboard.io Founding Member and New York Chapter Lead
Leela Ramnath
Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainability Strategy, Warburg Pincus, Board Member ClimeCo
Anthony Arnold
Partner Private Equity, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Agenda
8.30am
Arrival and Networking
Arrival & Networking in Sponsor Lounge Coffee and light breakfast buffet
9.00 am
Opening Remarks
Rita Scroggin, Founder & CEO, FirstBoard.io
Caroline Pan, Tech Leader & Growth Catalyst | Board Director | Public Company CMO and Firstboard.io New York Chapter Lead
9:10AM-9.25AM
SAP Welcome & Keynote
Sustainability and Growth in the Boardroom
- Sophia Mendelsohn, Chief Sustainability and Commercial Officer, SAP
- Jeff Thomas, Chief Revenue Officer and Global Head of Listings, Nasdaq
9:25-10.05
The Private Equity Playbook
The Private Equity Playbook – Tech-Fueled Value Creation at Scale
How PE firms are unlocking operational efficiency, growth, and margin through innovation and digital transformation.
Moderator: Ali Heron | Managing Director at GrowthCurve Capital
Panelists:
- James Hobson, CEO Ubiquity, Board Director Doxa and Brightway Insurance
- Bessie Watts, Vice President, Vista Equity Partners
- Anthony Arnold, Private Equity Partner, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
- Arthur S. Zuckerman Partner, Chief Operating Officer, Soundcore Capital Partners
10:05AM – 10:45AM
Board Composition Across Growth Stages
Board Composition Across Growth Stages Panel
How board structure, governance priorities, and talent strategy evolve from venture-backed startups to PE-backed scale-ups
Moderator: Darcy MacClaren, Board Member 1LogTech, Operating Advisor, Cambridge Capital, Former CRO Supply Chain SAP, Firstboard.io New York Chapter Lead
Panelists:
- Julie Iskow | CEO & Board Director, Workiva( NYSE: WK); Board Director Five9 ( Nasdaq:FIVN) and Enable; Firstboard.io Advisory Board
- Leela Ramnath | Global Head of Sustainability Strategy, Warburg Pincus and Board Member ClimeCo
- Kaley Childs Karaffa, Head of Board Advisory, Americas at Nasdaq, Firstboard.io Advisory Board Member
10:45AM-11.00AM
Break
Coffee and light refreshments in Sponsor Lounge
11:00AM– 11:40AM
Cross-Border Growth
Cross-Border Growth Fireside Chat
Navigating global expansion
Moderator: Rita Scroggin, CEO Firstboard.io
- Laura Clayton McDonnell, President, Thomson Reuters, Member Board of Trustees Thomson Reuters Foundation, Firstboard.io Founding Member
- Amrit Kang, Vice President East Coast London & Partners
11:40am-12.10PM
Interactive Breakout Sessions
Breakout Sessions
Interactive Executive Forum Discussions with the audience
AI, Boards, & Value Creation
Facilitators:
- Diane Tryneski, Board Director, Former HBO, Disney & Discovery Executive, Firstboard.io Founding Member and New York Chapter Lead
- Tendü Yogurtçu, CTO Precisely, Executive Board Advisor, Firstboard.io AI Council & NY Chapter Member, TUSIAD NY AI Chapter Lead
Strategic Governance for Early Operating Wins
Facilitators:
- Diane deCordova, Founder, COO, Board Member Adelaide, Firstboard.io Founding Member and New York Chapter Lead
- Julie Iskow, CEO, Workiva( NYSE: WK) Board Director Five9 ( Nasdaq:FIVN), Firstboard.io Advisory Board Member
12:15pm-12:20PM
Closing Remarks
Rita Scroggin, Founder & CEO, FirstBoard.io
12:20PM-2:00PM
Interactive Networking Lunch: Co-lead with Nasdaq, SAP, Firstboard.io
Networking Lunch Co-lead with SAP, Nasdaq, Firstboard.io NY Chapter leaders
Format: Curated interactive table discussion