C-Suite Perspectives

The US is still the premier investment opportunity. Marc S. Cooper of Solomon Partners explains why. 

  

This special episode was recorded on May 6 at the 2026 M&A Summit, hosted by The Conference Board in New York. 

 

After last year's strong M&A market, 2026 is being powered by corporate strategic acquisitions. What's the overall health of M&A and of the US as an investment opportunity? 

  

Join Steve Odland and guest Marc S. Cooper, chairman and CEO of Solomon Partners, to find out the state of the deals market, the challenges facing middle market private equity, and why the US remains the world's top destination. 

 

For more from The Conference Board: 

2026 M&A Summit - New York 


Reshaping Strategy: Navigating M&A in the Next Era 


Deregulation Reshapes Financial Oversight

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Sara Murray, Managing Director International at The Conference Board, speaks with Max Zenglein, Center Leader for Economy, Strategy & Finance in Asia at The Conference Board, about how economic security and geopolitical rivalry are reshaping global trade and business strategy across Asia.
They discuss the erosion of the rules-based trading system; the growing intersection of trade, national security, and industrial policy; and why companies must rethink efficiency, resilience, and risk in a more fragmented global economy. The conversation also explores supply chain vulnerabilities, shifting trade alliances, and how business leaders can navigate uncertainty while identifying new opportunities for growth.
More from The Conference Board:
Economic Security Reshapes Trade in Asia Amid Rising Volatility
C-Suite Outlook 2026: Asia-Pacific Edition
Asia's Manufacturing Pivot: Competing for Talent in the New Supply Chain Era
Beyond Tariffs: Structural Changes to Trade Are Underway in Asia

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® dipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, down from an upwardly revised 93.8 in April, continuing a downward trend for consumer confidence since late 2024. 
 
The Present Situation Index—based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions—retreated by 3.2 points to 121.2. The Expectations Index—based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—rose by 1.0 points to 74.4. 
 
The survey period for this month's preliminary results was May 1–19, encompassing the ongoing war in the Middle East that is placing upward pressure on prices globally. Join Dana M Peterson and Alex Heil to find out what to make of the latest consumer confidence results and what's next for US energy markets. 
 
For more from The Conference Board: 
US Consumer Confidence 
Forecast for the US Economy 
Global Economic Outlook

Generative AI and other technologies are transforming clinical research and trials. Find out how it's done. 

  

The clinical trials sector is risk-averse, heavily regulated, and not often thought of as a technology first-mover. How is Merck changing that perception by using AI to improve insights, innovation, and operations? 

  

Join Steve Odland and guest Jennifer Sheller, senior vice president and head of global clinical trial operations at Merck, to find out how the company is using AI for clinical research and clinical trials, why "human in the loop" remains essential, and how Merck thinks about the ethical, safety, and privacy considerations of digital health. 

  

For more from The Conference Board: 

How AI Can Help Remedy the US Health Care Workforce Crisis 


Health Care Workforce Policy Summit: Insight Summary 


Navigating the Health Care Landscape in 2026

In this episode of C-Suite Perspectives, Barbara Mendes-Jorge, sustainability communications expert and guest host, speaks with Fabienne Crisovan, group head of governance, ESG legal, and corporate law at Zurich Insurance Group, about how companies can measure the return on investment of sustainability initiatives through the lens of risk, resilience, and long-term value creation.
They discuss why sustainability should be embedded into core business strategy rather than treated as a compliance exercise; how insurers assess climate and ESG risks; and the growing role of governance in building trust with investors, regulators, employees, and customers. The conversation also explores greenwashing, sustainability-related litigation, and why sustainability and profitability are increasingly interconnected.
More from The Conference Board:
·         EU Regulatory Outlook: The Way Ahead for 2026
·         AI and the New Cyber Risk Landscape: Disclosure Gaps in the S&P Europe 350
·         The Sustainability Reset
·         Corporate Governance in an Era of Sustained Disruption