Last week, UCLA Anderson’s Executive Education program held the first of two three-day trainings on best practices in corporate governance. The Director Education and Certification Program delivers insights into how directors—both new and seasoned—can provide active, informed and independent guidance to a company’s senior leadership team. Topics include monitoring SEC reporting requirements, understanding reporting and trading rules, involving the board in corporate strategy and engaging with activist shareholders.
For Katie Hagen, division chief of CalPERS’ human resources department, attending means a chance to bring insight back to her own board. “The program helps me do my job better as it exposes me to all the questions I should be asking and teaches me the inner workings of the board,” she says. The training also furthers CalPERS’ corporate strategy, as well as Hagen’s professional growth. “Part of our succession planning includes looking for leadership-development opportunities,” she says. “This class expands my knowledge and prepares me for the next level.”
Instructor Andrew Shapiro (’87) says he teaches the Activist Shareholder Dialogue portion of the class for a few reasons. “I guess I have a natural affinity to coming back and teaching,” says Shapiro, who graduated with a dual MBA and J.D. from UCLA. He also finds value in educating 30 or so professionals twice per year. “That’s a group of directors who have learned value in dealing with an activist shareholder in a way that avoids a proxy fight down the road,” he says. Noting that that type of investor wants the best for the company just as the board does, he hopes his lessons can help the two work together. “A proxy fight is a sign of failure,” he says.
Classes are taught by UCLA Anderson faculty and distinguished speakers representing some of the nation’s most prestigious organizations. The certification test at the close of day three is optional.
Head to the Executive Education homepage for more on the program.
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