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Board Excellence in 2023 and Beyond
Affiliated Programs
Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Wilson Sonsini
Palo Alto, CA

Register for event

The importance of board diversity cannot be understated, since boards need to be reflective of their stakeholders in order for the company to make smart strategic decisions, innovate, and improve performance—resulting in a competitive advantage and enhanced company culture over time. Though countless companies are working hard to increase board diversity, only about 22 percent of board seats at publicly traded U.S. companies are currently held by women. Join Wilson Sonsini and Firstboard.io for an in-depth panel discussion about how Boards can be part of the success of a company.

Panel Discussion - 4:45-5:15 pm

  • Board Excellence: from early stage to public company

Breakout Sessions - 5:30-6:30 pm

  • Evolution of the Board
  • Optimizing Board Communication and Interaction with C-Suite
  • Optimizing Value as a First-time Board Member
  • Debt Financing in a Downturn

Contacts

Adam Pilkington

apilkington@wsgr.com

Presenters

Farah B. Gerdes
Partner
Boston

Farah focuses on the representation of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and diagnostic companies in complex collaboration and partnering transactions.

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Lisa L. Stimmell
Partner
Palo Alto

Lisa practices corporate and securities law with a focus on advising public companies and larger enterprise clients on complex corporate governance, SEC compliance, and 1934 Act disclosure matters.

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Melissa Rick
Partner
Palo Alto

Melissa Rick is a partner in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where her practice focuses on corporate and securities transactions, with particular emphasis on the life sciences and technology industries. She advises emerging companies at all stages of maturity, including formation, initial funding, expansion, and exit. Melissa works with public and private companies on a range of transactions, including venture financings, initial public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions. She also counsels clients on matters such as general corporate law and governance and public company disclosure, as well as reporting with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Lang Liu
Partner
Palo Alto

Lang represents public and private companies, investment banks and venture capital firms.

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Lianna C. Whittleton
Partner
Palo Alto

Lianna focuses on corporate and securities work for both public and private companies across all stages of growth.

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Kathleen D. Rothman
Partner
Palo Alto

With a focus on corporate finance and corporate law and governance, Kathleen specializes in debt financing transactions and has extensive experience representing borrowers in connection with credit facilities.

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