The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland offers directors a unique opportunity to move beyond simply complying with Sarbanes-Oxley. “Issues such as: should the board have a separate risk committee to handle risk or should the audit committee or the entire board be responsible–is one of many challenges facing directors today–and the Directors’ Institute can help,” says Stephen Wallenstein, leader of the institute. “One of the advantages of our program being located in Washington D.C., is we have access to a lot of high government figures, such as Kenneth Feinberg and other leaders from the Securities Exchange Commission and Treasury.”
The institute will provide guidance on such topics as director evaluations, compensation, risk management, and shareholder relations. “Addressing the best way to conduct and search for new directors, increase diversity on your board, and what are appropiate director compensation levels, are among some of the difficult challenges many directors face,” adds Wallenstein. “It’s through an examination of these topical issues that [the Directors' Institute]…in small focused sections, in addition to larger group sessions, allow directors the opportunity to dig down deeply into topics and find out what their fellow directors are doing around the country.”
Adjusting to the corporate environment, the Directors’ Institute, taking place April 7-9, 2010, has added a panel called “Corporate Government Involvement and Corporate Governance,” as the government continues to monitor and regulate boardrooms across the country. “As Wall Street moves to K Street, our program is held at the Reagan building in the heart of Washington, D.C.,” notes Wallenstein. “Discuss the boardroom’s toughest challenges with fellow directors and experts in the financial services, accounting, and legal fields.”