Board Governance in 2026: AI Oversight, Activism, and Delaware’s Edge

Board governance is central to how companies earn and maintain trust with shareholders and the public. Larry Cunningham, Presiding Director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, joins John F.W. Rogers, Secretary of the Board of Directors at Goldman Sachs, to discuss the evolution of board stewardship and its importance today. Cunningham discusses the Center’s 25th anniversary and the discovery of John L. Weinberg’s 1948 Princeton thesis on the status and functions of corporate directors. They explore enduring governance questions including shareholder focus versus broader corporate responsibilities, the value of discerning questions, and why one-size-fits-all governance checklists often miss what matters most. This episode was recorded on October 27, 2025.  The opinions and views expressed herein are as of the date of publication, subject to change without notice, and may not necessarily reflect the institutional views of Goldman Sachs or its affiliates. The material provided is intended for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation from any Goldman Sachs entity to take any particular action, or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities or financial products. This material may contain forward-looking statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Neither Goldman Sachs nor any of its affiliates make any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or information contained herein and disclaim any liability whatsoever for reliance on such information for any purpose. Each name of a third-party organization mentioned is the property of the company to which it relates, is used here strictly for informational and identification purposes only and is not used to imply any ownership or license rights between any such company and Goldman Sachs. A transcript is provided for convenience and may differ from the original video or audio content. Goldman Sachs is not responsible for any errors in the transcript. This material should not be copied, distributed, published, or reproduced in whole or in part or disclosed by any recipient to any other person without the express written consent of Goldman Sachs. Disclosures applicable to research with respect to issuers, if any, mentioned herein are available through your Goldman Sachs representative or at http://www.gs.com/research/hedge.html Goldman Sachs does not endorse any candidate or any political party. © 2026 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices