Life as a director feels more like trench warfare and less like corporate governance with each passing year. With growing shareholder activism and a host of new requirements to contend with, 2015 will be no exception. At the NACD New England Chapter’s January 2015 Breakfast Event, four panelists widely recognized for their expertise in the fields of law, accounting, corporate governance and investor relations will discuss what directors need to know as we head into the year-end/proxy season.

The discussion will run the gamut from risk management and compliance, disclosure and audit committee oversight of financial reporting, the impact of social media, to proxy advisory firm relations and guidelines for engagement with activists and the broader shareholder community. The panelists will share insights on some of this year’s hottest topics in corporate governance including, among others, the latest ISS proxy voting guidelines, and disclosure related to executive comp, political spending and social responsibility, as well as emerging issues for activists and shareholder concerns related to board diversity and board refreshment.