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. On March 26 in New York City, Firstboard.io®—alongside SAP and other sponsors, will convene Venture Capital, Corporate Venture and Private Equity partners for an invite-only gathering focused on how board composition drives portfolio performance.
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, Workiva( NYSE: WK) Board Director Five9 ( Nasdaq:FIVN), Firstboard.io Advisory Board Member
Darcy MacClaren
Independent Board Member & Advisor, Former Global Chief Revenue Officer Supply Chain, SAP, Board Director 1Logtech, Member Firstboard.io and New York Chapter Lead
Laura Clayton McDonnell
President, Thomson Reuters Corporates, Member Board of Trustees Thomson Reuters Foundation, Member Board of Directors, Signal AI, 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
Additional speakers to be confirmed soon
Agenda
8.30am ET
Arrival and Networking
Arrival & Networking in Sponsor Lounge Coffee and light breakfast buffet
9.00 am ET
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
- TBD, 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:
- Matt Popper | Head of Technology Investing at GrowthCurve Capital
- Noah Breslow | PE-backed CEO (Revecore), former Bain Capital Ventures
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 | Former CRO Supply Chain SAP, Senior Advisor at Warburg Pincus
Panelists:
- Julie Iskow | CEO of Workiva, Board Member at Workiva(NYSE:WK) and Five9 (Nasdaq:FIVN), Firstboard.io Advisory Board Member
- Leela Ramnath | Global Head of Sustainability Strategy, Warburg Pincus
- 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 Pane
Navigating global expansion
Moderator: Lynn Loacker, Founder Project W
- Amrit Kang, Vice President East Coast London & Partners- proposed
- Wendy Kearns, Partner-in-Charge Seattle market, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP-proposed
- Laura Clayton McDonnell, President Reuters Corporate, Board of Directors Signal AI and Member Board of Trustees Thompson Reuters Foundation, Firstboard.io Founding Member
11:40am-12.10PM
Interactive Breakout Sessions
Breakout Sessions
Interactive Executive Forum Discussions with the audience
AI & Tech Oversight and Investment Decisions
Facilitators:
- Diane Tryneski, Board Director, Former HBO, Disney & Discovery Executive, Firstboard.io Founding Member and New York Chapter Lead
- Tendü Yogurtçul, 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
- Lynda Clarizio, General Partner of The 98 [contact: Diane D]-proposed
- Julie Iskow, CEO Workiva - proposed
12:15pm-12:20PM
Closing Remarks
Rita Scroggin, Founder & CEO, FirstBoard.io
12:20PM-2:00PM
Networking Lunch: Co-lead with Nasdaq and DWT
Networking Lunch Co-lead with SAP, Nasdaq, DWT and Firstboard.io NY Chapter leaders
Format: Curated interactive table discussion