Announcing the Boardroom Governance Summit 2026
At Limerick Lane Cellars, Healdsburg, California | August 26–27, 2026
On August 26 and 27, 2026, I am hosting the inaugural Boardroom Governance Summit at Limerick Lane Cellars in Healdsburg, California.
After more than 200 episodes and six years of the Boardroom Governance Podcast, the time feels right to bring this community together in person. Many of the most valuable podcast conversations have been with leading board members, investors, and governance leaders, and I have long thought it would be powerful to continue some of these exchanges around the same table. The Summit is designed as a live extension of the podcast and its community: a curated gathering of leading board members and governance leaders for substantive dialogue on the issues shaping boardrooms today. Holding it in California wine country felt like a natural fit: removed from the usual conference environment, with space for thoughtful discussion, relationship-building, and practical exchange.
The location is not incidental. Limerick Lane Cellars is owned by Karen Francis DeGolia, an experienced public company director and board chair who joined me on Episode 95 of the podcast. Together with Penny Herscher, who joined me on Episode 93 of the podcast, Karen founded The Chairs Circle, a forum for discussions among board chairs. The team behind Limerick Lane is already wired for boardroom-caliber dialogue, and when Karen and I first discussed the idea, it immediately felt like the right place.
Opening Keynote Fireside Chat
I am delighted to share that Leo E. Strine, Jr., former Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court and Of Counsel at Wachtell Lipton, will join us for the keynote fireside chat on August 26.
Few people have shaped how directors, counsel, investors, and courts think about fiduciary duties, corporate purpose, stockholder rights, board process, and the role of corporations in society more than Justice Strine. I have had the privilege of hosting him twice on the podcast (Episodes 100 and 201), and I am honored that he will help open the inaugural Summit. His keynote will set the tone for the program: candid, grounded, and focused on the real challenges facing boards today.
Registration is now open at https://luma.com/BGPsummit. Please note that the Summit has limited capacity, with attendance curated to preserve the quality of the discussion. Interested directors are encouraged to register early.
Format
August 26 begins in the afternoon with optional wine tastings and informal gatherings, followed by registration, a cocktail reception, dinner, and the opening keynote fireside chat with Justice Strine.
August 27 moves into the winery cellar for a full day of fireside chats and panel discussions, closing with a poolside reception and dinner at the Winery House.
Every session will be recorded for future publication on the Boardroom Governance Podcast. The themes will build on many of the issues that have defined the podcast and newsletter, including AI governance, public and private markets, board leadership and succession, risk oversight, geopolitics, cybersecurity, shareholder activism, and corporate purpose.
Confirmed speakers
The Summit will feature a group of exceptional directors, executives, investors, and governance leaders, including:
Teresa Briggs, board member at DocuSign, ServiceNow, Snowflake, and Warby Parker. Featured in Episode 185 of the podcast.
Karen Francis DeGolia, board member at Vontier, CelLink, and NAUTO. Featured in Episode 95 of the podcast.
Jeff Epstein, Operating Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners; board member at Autodesk, AvePoint, Okta, and Twilio. Featured in Episode 197 of the podcast.
Thomas Evans, CAIO | Head of AI, Lucid Motors; board member at OLI Systems and iARx
Barney Harford, former COO of Uber and former CEO of Orbitz Worldwide; board member at United Airlines, Arrivia, Cvent, SavATree, and Yummy
Penny Herscher, board member at Lumentum, Penguin Solutions, Forvia SA, and Modern Health. Featured in Episode 93 of the podcast.
Vivas Kumar, CEO and Co-Founder, Mitra Chem
Jack Lazar, board member at Astera Labs, Box, GlobalFoundries, and Resideo. Featured in Episode 179 of the podcast.
Jackie Liu, Partner, Morrison & Foerster; board member at CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA)
Sabastian Niles, President and Chief Legal Officer, Salesforce
Sue Siegel, board member at Illumina, Align Technology, Nevro, The Engine (built by MIT), and the Kaiser Family Foundation. Featured in Episode 191 of the podcast.
Yvonne Wassenaar, board member at Forrester, Rubrik, Arista Networks, JFrog, Alation, and Braze; Senior Advisor, Lightspeed Venture Partners. Featured in Episode 148 of the podcast.
Alla Whitston, Chief Information Officer at MUFG
Speakers will be joined by a curated group of fellow board members, investors, and governance leaders.
Who should attend
The Summit is designed for board members of public and private companies, along with select investors, executives, and governance leaders engaged with the issues shaping modern boardrooms. Because space is limited and the program is curated, attendance is selective. The goal is to bring together people who will contribute meaningfully to the discussion, both on stage and in the room around it. My hope is that the Summit becomes an annual forum for practical discussion about the work of boards.
I would be delighted to have you join us in Healdsburg.
Registration Details
Registration is available at https://luma.com/BGPsummit
Space is limited, and interested directors are encouraged to register early.
Additional details, including the full agenda and speaker lineup, will be announced soon.
With Thanks to the Summit Sponsors
The inaugural Boardroom Governance Summit is made possible with the support of our sponsors:
Morrison & Foerster is an international law firm advising leading companies and financial institutions across the United States, Asia, and Europe.
DHR Global is a talent advisory, executive search, and leadership consulting firm supporting organizations with senior leadership needs across global markets.
MUFG is a leading global financial group and one of Japan’s largest banking institutions, providing corporate, investment banking, and financial solutions to clients around the world.
Looking forward to seeing many of you in Healdsburg in August.
Sincerely,
Evan Epstein
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