The invisible ones in the boardroom: how chiefs of staff shape governance

What will the event cover?

Ann Hiatt was recently quoted by the Financial Times with the observation that chiefs of staff are “the invisible ones” running the world’s biggest companies. It captures how this role operates behind the scenes yet exerts influence far beyond formal titles. In this session we explore what that influence looks like when it comes to boards, governance, and executive decision-making.

What does it mean for a chief of staff to act as a bridge between the executive and the board without formal authority? How do they shape agendas, manage information flows, and cultivate trust in high-stakes environments? When does discretion become strategic influence, and where are the boundaries that define the role?

Moderated by Ann Hiatt, this panel brings together chiefs of staff who have worked at the highest levels of corporate governance to share what the role looks like in practice, where the real leverage lies, and how to navigate it with integrity.

6:00pm arrivals | 6:30pm discussion begins | 7:15pm Q&A | 7:30pm networking

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